Note from the Editor in Chief: The Foundation for Physical Therapy (FPT) has helped to launch the research careers and support the established research activities of many PTJ authors. But there was another reason that I asked Dr Shields to discuss the recent changes in the relationship between FPT and APTA. I believe that this information is relevant to all of our readers—national and international, physical therapist and non–physical therapist, researcher and non-researcher. The experience of FPT and APTA serves as a “case report” to illustrate the importance of knowing the rules, clarifying roles, and preventing conflict of interest when entering into agreements as individuals or as organizations. This case is relevant to those of you who sit on the board of an entity with tax-exempt status, to scientists who seek research funding from an upstanding private foundation, and to donors who expect “above board” behavior . — RLC In 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) (Pub.L. 107-204, 116 Stat 745) was passed in direct response to a number of high-profile cases of accounting improprieties in major corporations.1 Governing boards were not being informed of key financial decisions that affected their companies. The goal of SOX was to codify board, governance, management, and auditor responsibilities to assure accountability to the stakeholders of these major corporations. Since 2002, many organizations have adopted SOX guidelines through bylaws that clarify the legal expectations of governing boards. In addition, in 2008, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made significant changes to Form 990, which is required for organizations that receive tax-exempt status.2 IRS officials have repeatedly expressed the belief that the existence of an independent governing board, combined with well-crafted governance bylaws, increases the likelihood that an organization will act in a tax-compliant manner.3 In consideration of both of these imperatives, the …