AFSA Accounting

To receive a copy of the IRS-990 report, please mail us a self-addressed, stamped envelope (9" x 12" size) with $4.95 postage so that we can keep expenses to a minimum.

The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association, Inc. (AFSA) is the only charitable organization whose primary mission is to seed research in fibromyalgia (FM). We acknowledge that patient and physician education, public awareness, and advocacy are all important components in aiding the lives of people with FM. However, advances in research provide the most crucial ingredient for enriching the daily well-being of those who suffer with this hard-to-treat illness. Close to 90% of all contributions to AFSA go directly to fund research. Not one cent of your contributions pay for a researcher's university/institution overhead costs or other extraneous expenses that might whittle away at your donation dollars.

Policies

Description of Operations

AFSA is a non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to encourage scientific research toward finding the cause of and cure for fibromyalgia as well as to promote public awareness and understanding of this condition. AFSA accomplishes this mission by funding exceptional research that is focused on the physiology and treatment of this illness. It also educates the public through dissemination of free information and newsletters. The majority of AFSA's revenue is derived from contributions from the public and from the sale of informational items.

Inventory

Inventory consists of informational note cards and are recorded at cost on a first-in, first-out basis.

Donated Services

AFSA receives donated services for certain functions. However, there is no objective basis for measuring the value of donated services. Therefore, no amounts have been included in AFSA's financial statements for these services.

Revenue Recognition

Contributors do not receive any goods or services for their contributions that are not available to the general public at no charge. Therefore, AFSA recognizes all contributions as revenues when received, except for pledges. Pledges are recognized as revenue at the time that monies associated with the pledge are received. Contributions and sales are considered to be available for unrestricted use unless specified by the contributor.

Research Grants

AFSA's primary goal is to fund medical research projects on fibromylagia and related areas. Each year, AFSA attempts to maximize the amount it awards in grants of this type. To ensure that the most worthy and promising research projects are funded, AFSA utilizes a Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) to review and grade submitted grant applications. The MAC is comprised of many of the most noted researchers in the area of fibromylagia and related disorders. In addition to the MAC, AFSA enlists the advice of other experts in the field on an as-needed, voluntary basis. Grades received from the MAC are the primary tool used by the Executive Committee in deciding which projects should be funded. However, the Executive Committee is ultimately responsible for making all funding decisions.

Conflict of Interest

All members of AFSA's Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Committee are governed by a conflict-of-interest policy. This policy precludes members from voting on motions with respect to which he/she may have a conflict of interest. Conflict of interest is deemed to exist if the member would directly benefit, personally or professionally, from a motion that has been made.

Tax Status

AFSA is a not-for-profit voluntary health organization, exempt from federal and state income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and Sections 23701d of the General Statutes of California. AFSA's advanced ruling period under Federal law ended June 30, 1998. AFSA has received its final approval as a publicly supported organization described in sections 170(b)(1)(A)(1) or in section 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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