NATA Foundation

The vision of the NATA Research and Education Foundation is to be the leader in supporting innovative research and educational opportunities to advance health care and inform policy for the benefit of the physically active populations.

The NATA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), was incorporated in 1991 and established with grants from NATA and Johnson & Johnson. It is the only philanthropic 501 c(3) non-profit dedicated to advancing the athletic training profession through research and education. 

The Foundation’s work benefits every athletic trainer (AT) and every company associated with the profession, as well as the physically active community at large. Athletic trainers are health care professionals who can be seen on the sidelines, on the job site, on the stage, the battlefield and even in space. They collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

Through 2022, the NATA Foundation has advanced the AT profession by:

  • Awarding 1,905 scholarships valued at more than $3.87 Million.
  • Awarding 378 research grants valued more than $5.31 Million
  • Providing the opportunity for more than 8,491 abstracts to be  presented through Free Communications program
  • Pairing 113 mentors and mentees to assist junior faculty with the opportunity to receive guidance, advice and assistance while navigating the first several years of employment within higher education.
  • Coordinating, with the Foundation’s Pronouncements Committee and  NATA, the release of 17 position statements.

The NATA Foundation relies on the financial support of dedicated athletic trainers, corporate partners, and friends of the industry, to help carry out our goal of supporting and advancing the athletic training profession through research and education.

You can view a copy of our organizational chart here.

The daily management and operation of the NATA Research and Education Foundation is led by 2 staff members:

 

Jennifer Yoder, CAP
NATA Foundation Director
Office:  (972)532-8805
Email:  JenniferY@NATA.org

 

 

 

Kathryn LaLonde, MS, ATC
Programs & Projects Manager
Office:  (972)532-8814
Email:  KathrynL@NATA.org