About Us

Donations to the Gift Fund

Reviewed October 27, 2006

Can NIAMS accept donations?

Yes. Although the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is a Federally funded organization and not a fund-raising organization, the U.S. Congress authorizes it to accept donations and bequests to support the mission of the Institute. Donations to the NIAMS are deposited in our "Gift Fund" account, which is separate from the appropriation (the funding) that we receive from Congress.

How are donations used?

The mission of the NIAMS is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. We use donations to the NIAMS for special projects related to our mission.

The NIAMS has supported different projects through the Gift Fund from year to year, depending on the needs of the Institute. The following is a partial list of the types of projects supported through the Gift Fund:

  • Research studies, including clinical (patient) research in our laboratories
  • Equipment and supplies for laboratories
  • Research workshops and conferences
  • Printing of materials about arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases for the public, patients, and health professionals.

How can someone donate to the Institute?

Individuals and organizations can make a donation to the NIAMS Gift Fund via a check or money order made payable to "National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases" or to "NIAMS." Donors should send a letter along with the check indicating that the money is to be used to support the mission of the NIAMS. Donations and letters should be sent to:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Financial Management Branch
Building 31, Room 4C21
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892-2350

We acknowledge all donations. If you are donating in the memory of someone, please indicate the name of the deceased and anyone else (such as a family member) who should receive an acknowledgement about the donation. If someone wishes to leave money to the Institute in a will, he or she should provide the address of the NIAMS in the will and indicate that the bequest is to be used to support the mission of the NIAMS.

What if I have additional questions?

If you have any further questions about gift fund donations, please call the NIAMS Financial Management Branch at (301) 496-5521.