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Epilepsy Foundation New England Inc

EIN 22-2505819 · Lowell, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 71 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY EPILEPSY THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, RESEARCH, AND CONNECTION. EFNE'S SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HELP FOR TODAY AND HOPE FOR TOMORROW.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
23.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
124
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$298,029, former president & ceo - efne thru may25

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 71 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $2.0 million spent. FUNDING SUPPORT & DONATION CENTER: EFNE'S DONATION CENTER FUNDS EFNE'S MISSION TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY. THE DONATION CENTER COLLECTS GENTLY USED CLOTHING AND HOUSEWARES TO BE RESOLD. EFNE WORKS TO PROVIDE CONNECTION AND RESOURCES TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY, AND SHOWCASES ADVANCEMENTS IN THE TREATMENTS AND OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA. THIS INCLUDES SHOWCASING RESEARCH IN OUR COMMUNICATION AND HOLDING EVENTS TO ENGAGE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, CLIENTS, AND DONORS IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY AND UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH IN EPILEPSY.
  2. $2.3 million spent. RESOURCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES: EFNE PROVIDES EPILEPSY RESOURCE ROOMS IN ABOUT 13 HOSPITALS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND. THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS RECEIVE ACTIVE LISTENING AND MENTORING, EDUCATION, AND INFO/REFERRALS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, EFNE PROVIDED ONE-TIME GRANTS OF $50-$1,000 TO 45 FAMILIES AFFECTED BY EPILEPSY AND IN FINANCIAL CRISIS. EFNE PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 30 SUPPORT GROUPS PER MONTH, SERVING 400-500 PEOPLE PER YEAR. EFNE PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ABOUT EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE FIRST AID TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR, INCLUDING SCHOOL CHILDREN, SCHOOL PERSONNEL, FIRST RESPONDERS, PARENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WE MAINTAIN AN ONLINE KNOWLEDGE CENTER AND RESOURCE LIBRARY.
  3. $307,515 spent. YOUTH SERVICES: EFNE PROVIDES SLEEPAWAY AND DAY CAMPS EACH YEAR, SERVING MORE THAN 200 PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR. CLIENTS RECEIVE MENTORING FROM STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AMERICORPS MEMBER, AND INTERNS. YOUNG ADULT RETREATS PROVIDE TRANSITION AGE YOUTH WITH COMMUNITY BUILDING SKILLS AS THEY TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD. HUNDREDS OF ONLINE VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS AND MEET-UPS PROVIDE SUPPORT OUR YOUTH. EFNE'S HOPE LION CAMPAIGN HAS REACHED MORE THAN 1,000 FAMILIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THEIR JOURNEY WITH EPILEPSY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.