The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) is the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, NREF is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to advancing neurosurgical care through funding research and educational initiatives. The organization serves neurosurgeons at all career stages, from medical students and residents to established practitioners, as well as the broader neurosurgical community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.0M
-41.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-8.7% YoY
Grant Count
24
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$71K
+14.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Enhance lives by advancing neurosurgical care through the funding of research and education.
NREF's primary program areas include:
- Providing a private, non-governmental source of funding for research training in the neurosciences related to neurological surgery
- Ensuring the continued viability and expansion of the field of neurological surgery through fundamental research in basic sciences and clinical enterprises pertinent to neurosurgery
- Augmenting support for research endeavors by the neurosurgical community
- Stimulating learning by neurosurgeons and enhancing educational opportunities throughout their careers
The foundation's focus areas encompass education, science, and healthcare, with particular emphasis on medical specialty research and neurology/neuroscience research.
Grantmaking
NREF offers multiple grant and fellowship programs targeting different career stages:
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $7,500 to $180,000.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NREF's grant-making activities primarily focus on California, Ohio, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $20,013,856 (as of most recent 2024 filing); $34,381,230 (as of 2023 filing)
Annual Giving: $1,795,882 (2024)
Total Revenues: $1,991,819 (2023)
Total Expenses: $3,098,338 (2023)
Organization Type: Public charity with 501(c)(3) status; contributions are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,013,856 | $34,381,230 | $17,113,606 |
| Revenue | $1,260,828 | $1,991,819 | $2,938,037 |
| Expenses | $3,031,774 | $3,098,338 | $3,190,399 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $-1,141,411 | $-233,852 | $309,795 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
131 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Neurosurgery Research and Education
Clinical Fellowship Grants
Neurosurgery Research and Education
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
CV Traveling Fellowships
Neurosurgery Research and Education
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Honor Your Mentor Funds (Multiple Named Funds)
Neurosurgery Research and Education
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Staff:
- Katie Orrico, Principal Officer
- Courtney C. Shupryt, Senior Director of Development
- Joanne M. Bonaminio, Director of Foundation Services
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony L Asher | AANS President | 2.5 | — |
| Adam S Arthur | Chair | 2.5 | — |
| Charles L Branch Jr | Vice-Chair | 2.5 | — |
| Sepideh Amin-Hanjani | Treasurer | 2.5 | — |
| Gregory J Zipfel | Secretary | 2.5 | — |
| Frederick G Barker II | Director | 2.5 | — |
| Mohamad Bydon | Director | 2.5 | — |
| E Antonio Chiocca | Director | 2.5 | — |
| J Flagg Flanagan | Director | 2.5 | — |
| Jon H Robertson | Director | 2.5 | — |
| James T Rutka | Director | 2.5 | — |
| Michael Y Wang | Director | 2.5 | — |
| Stacey Wolfe | Director | 2.5 | — |
| Katherine O Orrico | CEO | 5 | — |
| Kathleen T Craig | CEO (Until 12/31/23) | 5 | — |
| Carol Jones | CFO | 5 | — |
| Michael A Chabraja | Legal Counsel | 3.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
NREF announced it will award $2.2 million in grants and fellowships for the 2025–26 academic year, demonstrating continued commitment to supporting the next generation of neurosurgeons and advancing neurosurgical research.
NREF to Award $2.2 Million in Grants and Fellowships for 2025\u201326 Academic\The foundation actively recruits support from multiple constituencies, including individual neurosurgeons, in-training neurosurgeons, the general public, and industry partners. Donors can make unrestricted donations, contribute to mentor funds, or make donations in honor of colleagues and loved ones.
Contact Information
Address: 5550 Meadowbrook Industrial Court, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008-3852
Email: info@nref.org
Phone: 847.378.0550
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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