InMotion receives IRS nonprofit designation -- Musculoskeletal lab can seek funding

The Commercial Appeal
July 11, 2006
By Rob Robertson

The InMotion Musculoskeletal Institute has received approval of its nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service, clearing the way for the organization to seek multiple charitable funds.

The designation means that InMotion is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It also means donations to the organization may be tax deductible.

"This is the most important step we've taken to date," said Richard Tarr, president and executive director of InMotion. "This recognition by the IRS means that InMotion is now - more than ever - a part of the Memphis nonprofit community."

InMotion - formerly the Memphis Musculoskeletal Research Institute - is an independent not-for-profit laboratory that accelerates medical research and discoveries for patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, including problems with the hips, knees, joints and spine.

As an independent lab, InMotion seeks to foster collaborative musculoskeletal research and development programs by incorporating all phases of the discovery process - from research to product development to marketing to clinical treatment.

InMotion has already received funding from The Assisi Foundation, the Campbell Foundation, the Hyde Family Foundations, the Plough Foundation and Medtronic Sofamor Danek.

The organization is also recruiting scientists and a Director of Biomechanics who will share a joint appointment with the University of Memphis Department of Biomechanical Engineering.

"The 501(c)(3) designation really gives us that stamp of approval for what we're doing and how critical our mission is," Tarr said. "Now we can go out and recruit and raise money to support the effort we're doing for research."

InMotion has signed agreements to perform research for a variety of local and national orthopedic companies and is set to move to the site of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation at 20 S. Dudley this fall.

The 6,000-square-foot space will provide office space for InMotion and house biomechanics and other research laboratories.

"Having a successful organization like InMotion here helps solidify Memphis' position in the orthopedics industry," said Bioworks Foundation executive director Steve Bares. "Obviously getting that 501(c)(3) status is a critical step toward making that happen."

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InMotion Musculoskeletal Institute

Independent, not-for-profit research lab dedicated to finding treatments for musculoskeletal disorders, including joint and spinal problems.

Executive director: Richard Tarr

Address: 1211 Union, Suite 510

Phone: (901) 759-3281