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April 11, 2026

AOTF’s 2025 Annual Report: Building Evidence to Improve Practice and Health for Over 60 Years

The phrase “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” is a metaphor that means today's progress and achievements are built on the knowledge and work of those who came before. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), our 2025 annual report showcases just how far that dedication has taken us.

 

AOTF 2025 Annual Report Cover: Building Evidence to Improve Practice and Health for Over 60 Years

 

Here’s 60 years of impact by the numbers: 

  • $45M+ awarded in research grants and scholarships since 1965 

  • 600+ research projects funded nationwide 

  • 1,850+ OT students supported through scholarships 

  • 15,000+ practitioners empowered by AOTF-funded evidence-based interventions 

But even more compelling than the numbers is the power of early-stage occupational therapy research to transform lives and improve client outcomes. In this report, you’ll learn how a 2022 AOTF Intervention Research Grant helped launch a pilot study that recently received $2.9 million in funding from the Department of Defense to scale up a water-safety intervention program for autistic children.  

In 2025, AOTF added $350,000+ in funding to its grant program, launched two new grant programs advancing community-engaged research, awarded 55+ scholarships, and inspired 58 schools to raise $55,000+ to support AOTF’s Intervention Research Grant. 

None of this would be made possible without our donors, sponsors, partners, and volunteers. Your continued support makes all of this possible.  

The full report provides a glimpse of the Foundation’s impact from 1965 to today and a look at the future research leaders advancing the occupational therapy profession of tomorrow. 

🔗Read The Full Report

Consider making a gift today to support the next 60 years of innovation in occupational therapy research. 

 

In Memoriam: Bette Bonder, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

 

Fred Sammons

 

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) joins the occupational therapy community in mourning the loss of Bette Bonder, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, who passed away on March 11, 2026, at the age of 77. Bonder was a distinguished professor and occupational therapy researcher whose contributions shaped the field of occupational therapy and inspired generations of practitioners.

Throughout her career, Bonder played a pivotal role in preventing occupational dysfunction for older adults and promoting cultural competency training to reduce health disparities. She published extensively in these research areas, co-authoring more than 45 papers and chapters and writing three textbooks with multiple editions.

As a research leader and advocate, she achieved numerous accolades, including being named as one of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) 100 Most Influential People for her contributions to the profession and as a Distinguished Alumna of Washington University School of Occupational Therapy.

From 1998-2000, Bonder served as editor of OTJR: The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, a leading occupational therapy research journal dedicated to advancing scientific inquiry in the profession. As Timothy Wolf, current OTJR editor-in-chief said, "Bette [Bonder] was an extremely engaged scholar with the journal for many years.  She has been on the review board and consistently completed the most reviews for us every year." 

In addition to her involvement with OTJR, Bonder dedicated her time and passion to volunteer leadership positions on both AOTF’s Scientific Advisory Council and two terms on the Board of Trustees (2007-2010) (2016-2018).  As the inaugural 2017 Planning Grant Collective on Mental Health planning committee chair, Bonder was integral to shaping the foundation and structure of this event that continues to unite interdisciplinary experts biennially to discuss pressing research topics. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Bonder will be remembered for her commitment to giving back, particularly through supporting the needs of disadvantaged communities and increasing access to health care and health professional education for underrepresented groups.

The AOTF extends our deepest condolences to Bonder’s family, colleagues, and all who were touched by her remarkable life and work.

For more information, please refer to the official obituary published by Dignity Memorial: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/cleveland-heights-oh/bette-bonder-12778478

 

Congrats to our 2026 Dr. Carolyn Baum Mentor Award Recipients!

Congrats to our 2026 Hand in Hand Research Grant Recipient!

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