About Us


The Foundation was signed into being by the Secretary of the State of Illinois on August 3, 1990. MTF is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes including:

  • to advance the science and art of massage therapy through education about the benefits of this health service;
  • to promote the development of knowledge, scientific advancements, and community services in the massage therapy field;
  • to secure and provide funding for research, education, and charitable community outreach initiatives.

The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501(c)3 providing support to the massage therapy profession. Since 1990, MTF has provided over $1 million in research grants studying the science behind therapeutic massage. The Foundation founded and publishes an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal and provides many educational resources for massage therapists, educators, and students. MTF provides community service grants to populations in need of therapeutic massage who would otherwise lack access.


Our Vision:

The practice of massage therapy is evidence-informed and accessible to everyone.

Our Mission:

The Massage Therapy Foundation advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.


Guiding Principles

The Massage Therapy Foundation commits to:

  • Upholding the principles of philanthropy
  • Contributing to the understanding and appreciation of massage therapy
  • Increasing the Foundation’s influence, credibility, and visibility in health and wellness
  • Sustaining the Foundation’s organizational effectiveness
  • Fostering the spirit of collaboration

Goals

  • Advance research on therapeutic massage and bodywork.
  • Foster massage therapy initiatives that serve populations in need.
  • Promote research literacy and capacity in the profession.
  • Support the evidence-informed practice of therapeutic massage and bodywork based upon available research, client factors, and practitioner experience and judgment.
  • Fortify the Foundation’s financial resources and organizational effectiveness.

History

The Massage Therapy Foundation was founded by the American Massage Therapy Association in 1990 with the mission of advancing the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service. The Foundation is able to provide these services by individual gifts, industry support, and fundraising events.

The Massage Therapy Foundation and AMTA

The Massage Therapy Foundation and the American Massage Therapy Association share a profound commitment to advance the massage therapy profession through promoting scientific research and evidence-informed practice.

Although we are separate organizations, together, we endeavor to collaborate as full strategic partners to realize our independent and interrelated missions. Our relationship will live in perpetuity.

While the American Massage Therapy Association is committed to financially supporting the work of the Massage Therapy Foundation, both organizations call for partners in funding the Foundation’s mission.


State Nonprofit Disclosures

Certain states require written disclosures for nonprofit organizations soliciting contributions. Individual state disclosures are below.

A copy of the latest financial report, registration filed by this organization, and a description of our programs and activities may be obtained by contacting us at: Massage Therapy Foundation, 500 Davis Street, Suite 950, Evanston, IL 60201 (847)869-5019. Massage Therapy Foundation was formed in Illinois. If you are a resident of one of the following states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency:

Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA), OR VISITING www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration #CH46521.
Georgia: A full and fair description of our programs and our financial statement summary is available upon request at our office and phone number indicated above.
Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage, from the Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. (410)974-5534.
Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Massage Therapy Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement.

Nevada: Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of sec. 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 170(c).
New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.
New York: Upon request, from the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, 1-212-416-8686 or www.charitiesnys.com.
North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state.
Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Massage Therapy Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.
Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1-800-332-4483 or http://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/.
West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Wisconsin: A financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year will be provided to any person upon request.

REGISTRATION WITH A STATE AGENCY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THAT STATE.

More information about state disclosures for charities and charity fundraising registrations.


Massage Therapy Foundation
500 Davis Street, Suite 950
Evanston, IL 60201
info@massagetherapyfoundation.org
Phone: (847) 869-5019
Fax: (847) 864-1178