Founded by Shelby and William Modell, Suzanne and Irwin Rosenthal,[12] and Dr. Henry Janowitz, it was launched publicly on September 12, 1967, as the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis.

[15] Research, educational workshops, as well as symposia, along with the Foundation's scientific journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, enable medical professionals to keep pace with this rapidly growing field.

The Foundation provides information and education for the estimated 1 in 100 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients[21] and their families through a variety of periodicals (Take Charge,[22] Under the Microscope[23]), books, awareness campaigns, local chapter events, Webcasts, and through its web site.

Team Challenge is the Foundation's endurance training and fundraising program, which prepares participants to run or walk a half marathon, take part in a cycling event, or experience a sprint triathlon while raising money for cures.

[27] Take Steps, the Foundation's largest fundraising event, mobilizes participants in over 150 local communities across the nation to come together and walk for Crohn's and colitis research.

[30] Its corporate sponsors from 2018-2022 include:[31][32][33][34][35] Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America established the Great Comebacks Awards in 1984 in order to recognize individuals who have triumphed over inflammatory bowel disease.