What Arthritis Foundation does

The Arthritis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit health organization founded in 1948 and headquartered at 1355 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to fighting arthritis, which it identifies as the nation's number one cause of disability affecting nearly 60 million U.S. adults and hundreds of thousands of children across more than 100 disease types. Its core offerings are organized around four pillars: patient education (a multi-language content library, Live Yes! With Arthritis Podcast, monthly webinars, e-books, and a drug guide), community support (nationwide Live Yes! Connect Groups organized by condition, JA Camps, JA Family Summit, JA Power Packs, and a Helpline at 1-800-283-7800), advocacy (federal and state policy work, Ambassador Program, Legislator Lookup, Rx for Access insurance navigation), and scientific research funding (Lee C. Howley Sr. and Jr. Prizes, research grants, rheumatology workforce development). The Foundation also operates the Ease of Use Certification program, which validates products for accessibility, and an Arthritis Weather Index built on AccuWeather data.

The Foundation is not a technology company and does not sell proprietary software products. Its technology footprint consists of the arthritis.org digital platform (event registration, donation processing, helpline, connect group access, webinars, podcasts, and an online store), a mobile app, and partner-integrated tools rather than internally developed AI or ML systems. Its distribution is a mix of direct digital channels and in-person community engagement across the United States, with no international operating footprint indicated.

The Foundation's revenue model is donations and fundraising. As a 501(c)(3) (EIN 58-1341679), it is funded through individual charitable donations, monthly giving programs, planned giving, and major gifts, supplemented by event-based fundraising (Walk to Cure Arthritis, Jingle Bell Run, California Coast Classic Bike Tour, Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour, JA Camps, Pathways Conference) and corporate sponsorships (ZetrOZ Systems, Pacira BioSciences, Stater Bros Markets, Fuel Goods, Urban Poling, Target, Aptar). All programs and resources are provided free of charge to patients and families; no product pricing or service fees are publicly disclosed.

Name

Arthritis Foundation

Legal name

Arthritis Foundation

Website

https://arthritis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Arthritis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1948 that serves nearly 60 million U.S. adults and hundreds of thousands of children with arthritis through patient education, nationwide Connect Groups, advocacy, research funding, and signature fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Health Advocacy & Patient Support

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Support Communities (BPAMABAL), Chronic Disease & Health Promotion Program Funding (HLAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Arthritis patient support
• Chronic disease education
• Peer support groups
• Health advocacy services
• Research grant funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 58-1341679), the Arthritis Foundation's primary revenue is derived from charitable donations, monthly donor programs, event-based fundraising (Walk to Cure Arthritis, Jingle Bell Run, cycling events), and general fundraising campaigns. The foundation also accepts planned giving and major gifts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Arthritis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free patient education, peer support communities, advocacy, and research funding for people living with arthritis. Its core offerings include Live Yes! Connect Groups, the Helpline, educational webinars and e-books, JA Camps and JA Family Summit for families affected by juvenile arthritis, Walk With Ease, signature fundraising events (Walk to Cure Arthritis, Jingle Bell Run, Cycling Experiences), the annual Pathways Conference, the Ease of Use Product Certification program, and the Lee C. Howley Sr. and Jr. research prizes.

Product overview

The Arthritis Foundation operates as a nonprofit health organization offering a unified portfolio of programs and services rather than a software platform. Its core offerings include community support through Live Yes! Connect Groups (online support communities for specific conditions), educational resources (podcasts, webinars, e-books, drug guides), advocacy programs, and fundraising events (Jingle Bell Run, Walk to Cure Arthritis, Cycling Experiences). Additional services include the Helpline, Pain Management Resources, Ease of Use Product Certification, JA Camps, JA Family Summit, Pathways Conference, Arthritis Weather Index, and Rx for Access insurance assistance. Research recognition is provided through the Lee C. Howley Sr. and Jr. Prizes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Yes! Connect Groups Online support groups connecting people living with arthritis across the country, offering professional- and volunteer-led sessions on various topics along with group activities, segmented by specific condition. Intended for adults, children, and families affected by arthritis.
• Walk With Ease A structured walking program offered in self-guided, worksite, and leader-trained formats to help people with arthritis increase physical activity safely. Provided in print and audiobook in English and Spanish.
• JA Camps Summer camps and programs designed for children and teens with juvenile arthritis, providing a supportive environment for education, social connection, and shared experience.
• JA Family Summit Annual four-day conference for families affected by juvenile arthritis, offering educational sessions, peer connections, and resources for parents and children navigating JA.
• Jingle Bell Run Festive 5K running and walking events held nationwide during the holiday season to raise funds and awareness for arthritis.
• Walk to Cure Arthritis Annual fundraising walks bringing together arthritis warriors, families, and supporters to raise money for arthritis research and programs.
• Cycling Experiences (Carolina Hills Classic & California Coast Classic) Bike tours supporting the arthritis community, including the Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour and the California Coast Classic 525-mile 8-day ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, with a virtual "Ride Your Way" option.
• Pathways Conference Annual conference bringing together arthritis patients, healthcare providers, and industry partners to discuss treatment options, research advances, and community support, featuring drug-free treatment options and Ease of Use Certification.
• Arthritis Foundation Helpline Phone and email support service (1-800-283-7800) staffed by trained professionals who answer questions about arthritis, insurance, treatment options, and navigating medical systems in English and Spanish.
• Live Yes! With Arthritis Podcast Podcast series featuring episodes explaining various types of arthritis, treatment options, and patient stories to help listeners understand and manage their condition.
• Arthritis E-books and Resources Digital educational resources including e-books on topics like juvenile arthritis, travel tips, and various arthritis conditions, available for free download.
• Educational Webinars Monthly webinar series covering topics like pain management, nutrition, exercise, mental health, family planning, and caregiving for people with arthritis, featuring expert speakers.
• Pain Management Resources Comprehensive resources helping patients understand and manage arthritis pain, including treatment options and pain-relief strategies.
• Ease of Use Certification Certification program evaluating and certifying consumer products as accessible and practical for people with arthritis, covering ease of opening, reading labels, and use. Partners include Target and Aptar for packaging design.
• JA Power Packs Toolkits for families managing juvenile arthritis, containing books and information to help navigate the JA journey, designed for different age groups.
• Arthritis Weather Index Tool showing how weather forecasts may impact arthritis pain levels, providing arthritis risk ratings based on current and upcoming weather conditions using AccuWeather data.
• Rx for Access Online resource helping patients understand health coverage options, choose the right coverage, manage denial processes, and reduce healthcare costs.
• Drug Guide Comprehensive medication information database covering various arthritis drugs, biologics, and biosimilars with details on usage and side effects.
• Lee C. Howley Sr. and Jr. Prizes Annual research awards recognizing significant contributions to arthritis research, including the Senior Prize for established researchers and Junior Prize for early-career investigators.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Arthritis Foundation has awarded Ease of Use Certification to products such as ZetrOZ's sam 2.0 wearable ultrasound device, recognizing it as practical and accessible for the nearly 60 million U.S. adults living with arthritis.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.

• Urban Poling Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 April 2026Urban Poling announced its support for the Arthritis Foundation's Green Heart Fridays campaign — a nationwide initiative running every Friday in May during Arthritis Awareness Month — promoting green heart sharing on social media to raise arthritis awareness. As part of the partnership, Urban Poling promotes its Activator® walking poles, which are designed to help people with arthritis maintain mobility and reduce joint stress. The Activator poles are also featured on the Arthritis Foundation's Ease of Use product page.
• Pacira BioSciencescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 March 2026Pacira BioSciences was recognized as a 2026 Corporate Impact Awards winner at the Arthritis Foundation's Pathways Conference, honoring key partners that significantly contribute to the arthritis community through corporate partnership and support.
• Stater Bros MarketscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 March 2026Stater Bros Markets was recognized as a 2026 Corporate Impact Awards winner at the Arthritis Foundation's Pathways Conference, honoring the company's contributions as a key partner supporting the arthritis community.
• Fuel GoodsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 March 2026The Arthritis Foundation announced Fuel Goods as the Official Fueling Partner for the 2026 Cycling Experience (Carolina Hills Classic Bike Tour and California Coast Classic Bike Tour). As the official fueling partner, Fuel Goods provides sports nutrition products for participants in the Foundation's signature cycling fundraising events.
• ZetrOZ SystemscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 March 2026ZetrOZ Systems was a premier sponsor of the Arthritis Foundation's 2026 Pathways Conference (March 27–28 at Sheraton Grand Seattle), promoting its sustained acoustic medicine technology and sam® wearable ultrasound device for knee osteoarthritis treatment. The Arthritis Foundation awarded its Ease of Use Certification to the sam 2.0 device. The company also presented clinical data and participated in educational sessions alongside Foundation researchers and advocates.
• TargetmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025The Arthritis Foundation partnered with Target to produce ease-of-use design guides and inclusive packaging principles. The collaboration aimed to improve packaging accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, including those living with arthritis, reflecting the foundation's commitment to making everyday products more accessible.
• AptarmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025Aptar partnered with APF France handicap (and by extension representing Arthritis Foundation's broader ecosystem approach) to develop inclusive packaging principles and ergonomic design guides through consumer testing. This partnership supports the foundation's Ease of Use certification program by establishing design standards that benefit arthritis patients.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Heart Association: The American Heart Association is a leading voluntary health nonprofit combining scientific research funding, patient education, advocacy, and signature events (Heart Walk, Heart Ball). Its scale and program architecture (research grants, advocacy, community programs) is directly comparable to the Arthritis Foundation's operating model.
• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation: The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is a voluntary health organization funding IBD research, hosting patient education and community events (Take Steps walks, Team Challenge), and advocating on insurance and drug access. Its chronic-illness patient community model parallels the Arthritis Foundation.
• Alzheimer's Association: The Alzheimer's Association is a leading voluntary health organization offering research funding, a 24/7 helpline, support groups, educational resources, and Walk to End Alzheimer's events. Its helpline, support-group, and walk-event portfolio mirrors several of the Arthritis Foundation's core programs.
• American Diabetes Association: The American Diabetes Association is a national voluntary health organization focused on diabetes research, advocacy, and patient education. It shares the Arthritis Foundation's disease-specific nonprofit structure, fundraising event portfolio (Step Out Walk, Tour de Cure), and emphasis on chronic-condition management and access-to-care advocacy.
• JDRF (Breakthrough T1D): JDRF funds Type 1 diabetes research, advocates for insurance and drug access, and runs signature fundraising walks and rides. It is a directly comparable disease-focused voluntary health organization with a strong research-and-advocacy operating model.
• Lupus Foundation of America: The Lupus Foundation of America is a voluntary health organization focused on autoimmune disease — closely adjacent to arthritis — funding research, running patient education programs, and operating community support networks. It is comparable as a smaller-scale disease-specific nonprofit operating in the autoimmune space.
• Susan G. Komen: Susan G. Komen is a disease-specific voluntary health nonprofit funding breast cancer research, providing patient navigation and education, and running the Race for the Cure walk series. Its event-driven, education-heavy, advocacy-supported model is structurally comparable to the Arthritis Foundation.
• National Psoriasis Foundation: The National Psoriasis Foundation is a disease-specific voluntary health nonprofit supporting research, patient education, and advocacy for psoriatic disease — including psoriatic arthritis, which overlaps with the Arthritis Foundation's scope. Comparable in program mix and target population.
• American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society is a large national voluntary health organization funding cancer research, providing patient support and education, and running signature fundraising events (Relay For Life, Making Strides). It mirrors the Arthritis Foundation's nonprofit model across research funding, advocacy, and event-driven fundraising for a single disease category.
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: The National MS Society funds MS research, delivers patient education, runs signature fundraising events (Walk MS, Bike MS), and operates a national advocacy program — a near-analogous operating model to the Arthritis Foundation in disease focus, scale, and program mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arthritis_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arthritis-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arthritis Foundation