Mission
The Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF) is a not-for-profit organization established by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) in 1980. Its mission is to support basic science and clinical research, as well as lifelong education, to improve outcomes for patients with neurosurgical diseases.
Basic Information
Address
5550 Meadowbrook Industrial Ct, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, 60008
View all Rolling Meadows charitiesFounded in
2013
EIN
46-2905743
Total Assets
$17.11 million
UN Sustainable Development Goals Supported
This organization contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. See the SDG page for more information.
At a Glance

Cushing Bowl Event
An annual event that raises funds for neurosurgical training and research.

Neurosurgeons in Training
Support for in-training neurosurgeons through grants and educational courses.

Medical Student Fellowships
Opportunities for medical students to engage in summer research fellowships.
Impact Stats
Total Investment
Over $30 Million Invested
The NREF has invested over $30 million in the future of neurosurgery, supporting research and education.
NIH Funding
NIH Funding Success
NREF grant recipients have received over $353 million in NIH funding, leveraging each dollar granted by NREF significantly.
Funding Success Rate
High Awardee Success Rate
82% of NREF awardees from 2000 to 2015 subsequently received over $770 million in funding, demonstrating the program's effectiveness.
Upcoming Events

2024 CNS Annual Meeting
September 28-October 2, 2024
The NREF will be represented at the 2024 CNS Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Learn More
AANS Annual Scientific Meeting
April 25-28, 2025
Visit the NREF team at the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston to learn about the Foundation’s courses.
Learn More
Charity Softball Tournament
June 7, 2025
20th Annual Neurosurgery Charity Softball Tournament, proceeds benefit brain tumor research.
MIP Score (Beta)
The MIP Score is in beta! We'd love any feedback you may have.
The MIP Score and it's methodology is purely used as a way to visualize how a nonprofits public financial data compares against others. It doesn't reflect the unique circumstances and impact that a nonprofit has.The MIP Score should never be used to say one charity is better than another.
Overall Score
52
44
/100
Program Expense Ratio
68.88%
8
/20
Program Revenue Growth
0.00%
2
/20
Leverage Ratio
0.2159
14
/20
Working Capital Ratio
4.206
18
/20
Fundraising Efficiency
0
2
/20
Latest Filing Data: Form 990
Fiscal Year:2021
Source:Source: Self-reported by organization
Financial Details
Revenue
Category | Amount | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Contributions, Gifts, and Grants | 1.994M | 67.88% |
Program Services | 557K | 18.96% |
Investment Income | 239K | 8.13% |
Sales of Non-Inventory Assets | 70.79K | 2.41% |
Other Notable Sources | 76.81K | 2.61% |
Total Revenue | 2.938M | 100.00% |