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Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma

EIN 20-0811343 · Fridley, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our three-pronged mission: educating the public and medical community about sarcomas, supporting sarcoma patients and their loved ones, and funding research directed toward developing new treatments and finding a cure for sarcoma cancers.

Income
$577,435
Spending
$697,342
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
4
Volunteers
117
Highest pay
$121,105, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $381,571 spent. Rein in Sarcoma (RIS) was started in 2001 by Karen Wyckoff, a 25-year-old Synovial Sarcoma patient. As she fought this rare cancer, she thought there were things that needed doing to increase the quality of life and odds of survival for all sarcoma patients. As she started the organization, she developed the mission as it still remains today: We are dedicated to educating the public and medical community about sarcoma, supporting sarcoma patients and their loved ones, and funding research directed toward developing new treatments and finding a cure for sarcoma cancer. Research for Sarcoma Cancer: RIS has partnered with many top-notch research institutions including: University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Children's Minnesota, University of Calgary, Case Western Reserve, University of Michigan, and Aveni Foundation. RIS has funded seed money of more than $2.5M in high impact and collaborative research, which has generated more than $13M in additional support. Ninety-one research funding awards have been made to date. Education: RIS has established and expanded its Sarcoma Scholar Program to educate Medical Students and Advanced Practice students about sarcoma. This program began in 2009 with 2 scholars participating from the University of Minnesota and has now grown to 16 scholars from across the country in 2024, participating from University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, University of Florida, University of Michigan, University of Iowa, Winona State University, Medical School of Wisconsin, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scholars educate their peers and public about sarcoma, complete sarcoma related projects, and go through a year-long sarcoma education program offered by RIS and sarcoma experts, specialists, and mentors. In addition, RIS provides free Patient Education Sarcoma Guidebooks to newly diagnosed patients and their caregivers. Guidebooks are also sent to sarcoma centers across the nation for distribution and are available for free download on the RIS website. The 9th Edition Guidebook was completed in 2024. Other educational activities include RIS participation in annual sarcoma related conferences, presenting and tabling opportunities to increase education. RIS has a YouTube channel that houses patient stories and educational videos. Patient and Family Support: Each year, RIS holds a Party in the Park event which is free to sarcoma patients, family members and those who have lost a loved one to sarcoma. Other patient and family support activities include peer to peer mentorship from other sarcoma survivors, Tote Bags of Hope filled with items for newly diagnosed and/or hospitalized patients, an active social media group for sarcoma patients and loved ones, Microgrants for patients in need of financial support during treatment and an in person monthly support group. Rein in Sarcoma is the largest and most well-known sarcoma foundation in the Midwest and continues to expand their services and reach nationwide.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.