Initiative for Medicines Access &Knowledge I-Mak Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FROM DRUG DEVELOPMENT TO DRUG AFFORDABILITY, THE MEDICINES SYSTEM AFFECTS WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES. THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND PARTNERSHIPS, I-MAK ADVANCES SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS STRUCTURAL INEQUITY IN THE MEDICINES SYSTEM.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 21.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $278,073, chief executive offier
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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.4 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O:I-MAK'S 2024 ACHIEVEMENTS IN ITS THREE PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDE: RESEARCH: I-MAK RELEASED A PUBLIC EDUCATION GUIDE TITLED A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BIOLOGICS, BIOSIMILARS, AND PATENTS, AND SUBMITTED FORMAL COMMENTS ON THE USPTO'S PROPOSED TERMINAL DISCLAIMER RULE. OUR RESEARCH WAS CITED IN MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDER REPORTS AND TECHNICAL COMMENTARY SUBMISSIONS TO THE PTO/FDA. EDUCATION: OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM AIMED TO MAKE THE ROLE OF PATENTS CENTRAL IN THE DRUG PRICING CONVERSATION. I-MAK USED COMMUNICATIONS AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TO REVEAL HOW STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE MEDICINES SYSTEM LEAD TO UNNECESSARY SUFFERING AND DEATH FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE. WE GENERATED MORE THAN 70 MEDIA STORIES, INCLUDING AUTHORING SIX OP-EDS AND RECEIVING COVERAGE IN TOP-TIER OUTLETS. POLICY: I-MAK BUILT ON PAST MOMENTUM TO HELP SHAPE PATENT POLICY REFORM IN 2024. WE PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON KEY LEGISLATION AND SUBMITTED DETAILED COMMENTS ON USPTO REFORM PROPOSALS AND TESTIFIED BEFORE THE SENATE HELP AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEES. OUR ENGAGEMENT CONTRIBUTED TO BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN ADDRESSING PATENT ABUSE, CATALYZED NEW PUBLIC-ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES BY THE USPTO, AND SUPPORTED INCREASED SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.