The Autoimmune Association
The Autoimmune Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Michigan, that provides advocacy, awareness, education, and research support for the 50M+ Americans living with autoimmune diseases, their families, caregivers, clinicians, and policymakers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersClinton Township, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Autoimmune Association does
The Autoimmune Association (legally the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc., rebranded in 2024 from the 'AARDA' acronym) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 and headquartered in Clinton Township, Michigan. The organization operates a 1-10 person staff and structures its work around four pillars: Advocacy, Awareness, Education, and Research. It serves the more than 50 million Americans living with autoimmune diseases, along with their families, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers, through a portfolio of programs that includes an annual Autoimmune Community Summit, the Hope Journey Walk, a podcast, blog, webinars, the Support Group in a Box toolkit, and peer-support connections via the Inspire community. Research-side assets include the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research, the Define the Gap initiative, the Chronic Fatigue Survey, the Scientific Information Exchange, and clinical trial information resources.
On the advocacy side, the organization leads the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups and runs the Let My Doctors Decide Initiative, with active federal- and state-level engagement on prior authorization, step therapy, the 340B program, accumulators/maximizers, and tariffs. It does not operate a unified technology platform; its 'products' are a collection of free patient-facing resources, educational content, research coordination programs, and advocacy campaigns. Distribution is multi-channel: a central website, email, six social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok), events, and workplace giving channels including the Combined Federal Campaign (#10548).
Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions rather than product sales. Streams include one-time donations, recurring 'Hope Partner' monthly gifts, tribute donations, fundraising events (Hope Journey Walk and DIY fundraisers), planned giving (wills, trusts, donor advised funds, IRA charitable distributions), workplace giving, and corporate partnerships/sponsorships in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. The organization holds Charity Navigator 4-star, Candid (formerly GuideStar) Platinum Seal of Transparency, Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity status, and membership in the National Health Council. Financial figures (revenue, donations, expenses) are not publicly disclosed.
The Autoimmune Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Autoimmune Association
- Legal name
- American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
- Website
- https://aarda.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Autoimmune Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Michigan, that provides advocacy, awareness, education, and research support for the 50M+ Americans living with autoimmune diseases, their families, caregivers, clinicians, and policymakers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Autoimmune Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autoimmune Disease Patient Advocacy
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)
Keywords
Where The Autoimmune Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Clinton Township
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Autoimmune Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Individual donations from supporters, including one-time gifts, monthly Hope Partner recurring donations, and tribute donations in honor or memory of individuals.
- Fundraising Events: Revenue from events such as the Hope Journey Walk and DIY fundraisers organized by supporters.
- Planned Giving: Legacy giving through wills, trusts, donor advised funds, and IRA charitable distributions.
- Workplace Giving: Corporate workplace giving programs including Combined Federal Campaign #10548.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships and sponsorships with companies in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels14 records
The Autoimmune Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Autoimmune Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free advocacy, awareness, education, and research programs to the autoimmune disease community. Its core offerings include patient and caregiver education resources, an annual Autoimmune Community Summit, the Hope Journey Walk fundraising event, the Support Group in a Box toolkit, advocacy campaigns such as Let My Doctors Decide, and research initiatives including the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research, Define the Gap, Clinical Trials information, and the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups.
Product overview
The Autoimmune Association offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs and resources organized around four pillars: Advocacy, Awareness, Education, and Research. The core offerings include patient-facing resources (Support Group in a Box toolkit, Podcast, Blog, Webinars & Videos, Patient Resources, Caregiver Support), community events (Autoimmune Community Summit, Hope Journey Walk), research initiatives (Office of Autoimmune Disease Research, Define the Gap, Clinical Trials, Chronic Fatigue Survey, Scientific Information Exchange), and advocacy campaigns (National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups, Let My Doctors Decide Initiative). The organization does not operate a unified technology platform but rather provides a collection of distinct programs and resources aimed at serving patients, families, and researchers affected by autoimmune diseases.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Autoimmune Expressions: A program/platform for the autoimmune community to share stories and expressions.
- Hope Journey Walk
- Support Group in a Box
- Office of Autoimmune Disease Research
- Define the Gap
Products and services
- Hope Journey Walk Annual walk event to raise awareness and funding for autoimmune disease research, advocacy, and programs, held in Washington, D.C. with virtual participation available.
- Autoimmune Community Summit Annual community event bringing together patients, advocates, healthcare professionals, and researchers in the autoimmune community.
- Support Group in a Box Toolkit program that makes it easy for community members to start a support group, share experiences, and build meaningful connections within the autoimmune community.
- Office of Autoimmune Disease Research Dedicated research division within the Autoimmune Association focused on advancing autoimmune disease research initiatives.
- Let My Doctors Decide Initiative Advocacy campaign focused on patient-centered healthcare decision-making and removing barriers to treatment access for autoimmune patients.
- Clinical Trials Information Service Resource providing information and access to clinical trials for autoimmune disease treatments.
- Autoimmune Expressions Storytelling program and platform enabling the autoimmune community to share personal stories and expressions of their experiences.
Companies that use The Autoimmune Association
Customer profileSegments9 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Autoimmune Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Autoimmune Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient GroupscoreThe Autoimmune Association leads the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups, a coalition that advocates on federal and state levels for policies that put patients first, including hosting congressional briefings and issuing public comments.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Autoimmune Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Major U.S. nonprofit focused on multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune neurological disease. Operates the same advocacy-education-research pillar model with comparable revenue streams including walks, corporate partnerships, and planned giving.
- Lupus Foundation of America: The largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated specifically to one autoimmune disease (lupus), providing patient education, advocacy, and research funding. Highly comparable as a disease-focused autoimmune patient advocacy nonprofit with similar donation, event, and corporate partnership revenue model.
- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation: Major U.S. nonprofit for inflammatory bowel disease (autoimmune in nature). Operates the same advocacy-research-patient support model with comparable walk fundraising (Take Steps) and corporate pharma partnerships.
- National Psoriasis Foundation: U.S. nonprofit focused on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (autoimmune). Comparable in size, mission, advocacy focus, and patient community engagement approach.
- American Diabetes Association: One of the largest U.S. health nonprofits, focused on diabetes (which includes autoimmune Type 1). Comparable in federal advocacy, research funding, large walks, corporate partnerships, and a four-pillar model similar to the Autoimmune Association.
- Arthritis Foundation: Largest U.S. nonprofit addressing arthritis and related autoimmune conditions. Highly comparable in scale, mission structure, federal advocacy work, multi-channel digital engagement, and walk-based fundraising (Walk to Cure Arthritis).
Broad incumbents
- American Lung Association: Large U.S. health nonprofit operating across respiratory disease with a comparable four-pillar structure (advocacy, education, research, support). Relevant as a broader nonprofit peer demonstrating operational scale and revenue diversification the Autoimmune Association could grow toward.
Emerging players
- Patient Advocate Foundation: National nonprofit providing case management and financial aid services to patients with chronic illnesses including autoimmune conditions. Comparable as a patient-support nonprofit serving similar disease populations, with overlapping advocacy on prior authorization and access issues.
Others
- National Health Council: Umbrella membership organization of U.S. patient groups and health nonprofits, of which the Autoimmune Association is a member. Comparable as a peer membership and advocacy coalition body and a structural ecosystem partner.
- American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (Legacy): Legacy brand of the same organization (now rebranded to The Autoimmune Association). Listed to reflect direct continuity rather than as a distinct peer; the aarda.org domain still redirects to autoimmune.org.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Autoimmune Association social profiles
Digital presenceThe Autoimmune Association compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
The Autoimmune Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Autoimmune Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Autoimmune Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Autoimmune Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Autoimmune Association
What does The Autoimmune Association do?
The Autoimmune Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free advocacy, awareness, education, and research programs to the autoimmune disease community. Its core offerings include patient and caregiver education resources, an annual Autoimmune Community Summit, the Hope Journey Walk fundraising event, the Support Group in a Box toolkit, advocacy campaigns such as Let My Doctors Decide, and research initiatives including the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research, Define the Gap, Clinical Trials information, and the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups.
Is The Autoimmune Association a public or private company?
The Autoimmune Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Autoimmune Association founded?
The Autoimmune Association was founded in 1991. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Autoimmune Association based?
The Autoimmune Association is headquartered in Clinton Township, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Autoimmune Association make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events, planned Giving, workplace Giving and corporate Partnerships.
Who are The Autoimmune Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lupus Foundation of America, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, National Psoriasis Foundation, American Diabetes Association and Arthritis Foundation. American Lung Association is listed as a broad incumbent. Patient Advocate Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Others are National Health Council and American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (Legacy).
Does The Autoimmune Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Autoimmune Association.
What industry is The Autoimmune Association in?
The Autoimmune Association's product category is Autoimmune Disease Patient Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAL, Public Health & Health Equity Organizations. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8600.