Mobilize a community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy; deliver education, fund and promote innovative research, and broaden patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments.
American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Inc. puts most of its grantmaking behind physician training and foot-and-ankle research, with a visible pattern of recurring fellowship support and research awards. One of the clearest signals is its repeated backing of the same training institutions across multiple years, including Duke University, Mercy Health Foundation, and Orthocarolina Research Institute, through combined fellowship and research grants. The foundation also supports collaborative ankle-arthritis work through joint programs with the Arthritis Foundation and funds professional development through traveling fellowships and resident scholarships. Its grantmaking serves early- and mid-career clinicians, researchers, and trainees in orthopaedic foot and ankle care. Recent awards show support for academic medical centers and specialty institutes that host research projects and fellowship training. The organization’s portfolio includes clinically focused research, career development sponsorships, and education-centered awards, reflecting a steady interest in building expertise within the specialty rather than broad, general philanthropy. Across the recent grants list, the same educational and research channels appear repeatedly, suggesting an emphasis on structured programs and ongoing relationships with grantee institutions.
In orthopaedic research, the foundation awarded $50,000 to Emory University for a research grant and $35,564 to University of Kentucky Research Fdn for a research grant. It also gave $46,376 to The Trustees of the Univ of Pennsylvania for a 2024 research grant, showing a consistent stream of project-based support tied to foot and ankle scholarship. Training and professional development are another major theme. The foundation provided $43,810 to Orthocarolina Research Institute for a 2022 fellowship grant and $32,200 to Baylor University Medical Center Foot and Ankle Fellowship for a 2024 fellowship grant. In a separate education-related award, it gave $25,000 to American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for a health policy grant. Collaborative ankle-arthritis research appears as a distinct line of giving. The Arthritis Foundation partnership includes a $250,000 grant program focused on ankle arthritis and related clinical research.
$805K
$4.5M
$6.6M
$6.6M
Most grants fall between $11K and $22K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$22K
About 7% of grants go to recipients in PA.
DAVID THORDARSON MD
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 125 | $2.6M | 97.7% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Typical grants cluster around a mid-five-figure range, with p25 at $10,733, median at $19,882, and p75 at $22,439. The recent grant list also includes larger fellowship and research awards, indicating that the foundation uses multiple award tiers within its programs. Recurring support is common: the same institutions appear across multiple years, often under fellowship and research labels. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not fund individuals. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including research grants and collaborative ankle-arthritis grants, while some fellowship and scholarship programs are foundation-supported rather than open calls.
Giving is national, with 97.7% of grants going to U.S. recipients and 2.3% to Canada. Among U.S. recipients, Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, and Illinois accounts for 7% of grants. Recent awards also land in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Denver, Lexington, Boston, and New York. The only non-U.S. recipient country shown in the grant list is Canada, with three grants.
The foundation supports foot and ankle clinical care, orthopaedic research, medical education and training, and humanitarian outreach. Its active programs include research grants, fellowship support, resident scholarships, traveling fellowships, and collaborative ankle-arthritis research awards.
Recipients are mainly universities, medical centers, research institutes, and professional organizations connected to orthopaedic foot and ankle care. The recent grant list includes Duke University, Mercy Health Foundation, University of Pennsylvania, and Orthocarolina Research Institute.
The typical award size is in the low tens of thousands: p25 is $10,733, the median is $19,882, and p75 is $22,439. Recent grants also include larger awards for fellowship and research programs.
Yes, several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the AOFAS Research Grants Program, the Ronald and Wendy Smith Clinical Research Grant, the AOFAS Research Scholarship Program, and the Arthritis Foundation/AOFAS ankle-arthritis research programs.
Most grants go to U.S. recipients, but the grant list also includes Canada, which accounts for 3 grants. One active program, the Traveling Fellowship Program, is listed as serving both International and United States geography.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 3 |
| $74K |
2.3% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Current and upcoming funding from American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Not specified in the provided content. Applicants are directed to the Research Grants Program page for application information.
Deadline: One-year grants (May 1 to April 30). The page lists 2026 recipients but does not provide an open application deadline.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $83,828 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT, 2024 RESEARCH GRANT |
| MERCY HEALTH FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $77,213 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT, 2024 RESEARCH GRANT |
| THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIV OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $46,376 | 2025 | 2024 RESEARCH GRANT |
| ORTHOCAROLINA RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $42,933 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER | DENVER, CO | $35,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT, 2024 RESEARCH GRANT |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $32,200 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER FOOT AND ANKLE FELLOWSHIP | PLANO, TX | $32,200 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | CHICAGO, IL | $32,200 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DIVISION OF PHILANTHROPIC & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT | PITTSBURGH, PA | $32,200 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF RUPTURED &CRIPPLED MAINTAINING THE HOSPI | NEW YORK, NY | $32,200 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| MEDSTAR UNION MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOOT & ANKLE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | BALTIMORE, MD | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| ROC FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| TWIN CITIES ORTHOPEDICS FOUNDATION | EDINA, MN | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON | DALLAS, TX | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY- | ATLANTA, GA | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| CAMPBELL CLINIC FOUNDATION | GERMANTOWN, TN | $21,467 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA | TUCSON, AZ | $12,712 | 2025 | 2024 RESEARCH GRANT |
| ROTHMAN INSTITUTE ORTHOPAEDIC FDN | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,600 | 2025 | 2024 RESEARCH GRANT |
| NEW ENGLAND BAPTIST HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER FOOT AND ANKLE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| CEDARS SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| THE RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| OAGR REI | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | CHARLESTON, SC | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER | FARMINGTON, CT | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| AHN RESEARCH INSTITUTE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| STEADMAN PHILIPPON RESEARCH INSTITUTE | VAIL, CO | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA FOUNDATION INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | IOWA CITY, IA | $10,733 | 2025 | 2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH GRANT |
| ORTHOCAROLINA RESEARCH INSTITUTE | CHARLOTTE, NC | $42,462 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $42,462 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| MERCY HEALTH FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $42,462 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FDN | LEXINGTON, KY | $35,564 | 2024 | RESEARCH GRANT |
| NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF RUPTURED & CRIPPLED MAINTAINING THE HOSP | NEW YORK, NY | $31,846 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (FOOT & ANKLE)-- | BOSTON, MA | $31,846 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| TORONTO HOSPITAL ORTHOPAEDIC | TORONTO, ON | $31,846 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| FOOT AND ANKLE FELLOWSHIP | DALLAS, TX | $31,846 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | CHICAGO, IL | $31,846 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| MEDSTAR UNION MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOOT & ANKLE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | BALTIMORE, MD | $31,846 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER | DENVER, CO | $24,040 | 2024 | RESEARCH GRANT |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $21,231 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| CAMPBELL FOUNDATION | GERMANTOWN, TN | $21,231 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH PHYSICIANS | PITTSBURGH, PA | $21,231 | 2024 | 2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT |
MERCY HEALTH FOUNDATION
$77,2132024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT, 2024 RESEARCH GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
$35,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT, 2024 RESEARCH GRANT
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$32,2002024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
2024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
MEDSTAR UNION MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOOT & ANKLE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
$21,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
ROC FOUNDATION
$21,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON
$21,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
$21,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
EMORY UNIVERSITY-
$21,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$21,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
CAMPBELL CLINIC FOUNDATION
$21,4672024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
ROTHMAN INSTITUTE ORTHOPAEDIC FDN
$12,6002024 RESEARCH GRANT
NEW ENGLAND BAPTIST HOSPITAL
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER FOOT AND ANKLE
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
THE RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
OAGR REI
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
AHN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
$10,7332024 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
MERCY HEALTH FOUNDATION
$42,4622023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
2023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (FOOT & ANKLE)--
$31,8462023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
TORONTO HOSPITAL ORTHOPAEDIC
$31,8462023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
FOOT AND ANKLE FELLOWSHIP
$31,8462023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$31,8462023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
MEDSTAR UNION MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOOT & ANKLE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
$31,8462023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
$24,040RESEARCH GRANT
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$21,2312023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
CAMPBELL FOUNDATION
$21,2312023 FELLOWSHIP GRANT
