Smith-Lemli-Opitz Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE SLO FOUNDATION WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE WITH SMITH-LEMLI-OPITZ SYNDROME THOUGH EDUCATION, FAMILY SUPPORT, AWARENESS, AND FUNDING RESEARCH INTO THE DISORDER.
- Income
- $116,865
- Spending
- $85,676
- Reserves
- 31.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Highest pay
- $21,600, president
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 31.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $69,715 spent. THE SMITH-LEMLI-OPITZ (SLO) FOUNDATION PROVIDES EDUCATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS DEALING WITH SMITH-LEMLI-OPITZ SYNDROME (SLOS). ORIGINALLY, THE SMITH-LEMLI-OPITZ (SLO) FOUNDATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1990 BY 37 FAMILIES WHO DESIRED A NETWORK OF SUPPORT TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES AND INFORMATION ABOUT SLOS. SINCE THEN, THE PATIENT ADVOCACY GROUP HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 2,000 FAMILIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE SLO FOUNDATIONS WEBSITE (SMITHLEMLIOPITZ.ORG) IS OFTEN A PARENT'S FIRST POINT OF CONTACT AFTER THEIR CHILD HAS BEEN NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH SLOS. WITHIN THE WEBSITE, FAMILIES FIND A SYNDROME OVERVIEW AND RELATED RESEARCH ARTICLES, CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SLOS SPECIALISTS, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, AND ACCESS TO FAMILY MENTORS. THE FOUNDATION SPONSORS AN ONLINE LIBRARY OF CONFERENCE VIDEOS AND OTHER WEBINARS RELATED TO SLOS. THE FOUNDATION HAS THREE ACTIVE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS ON FACEBOOK AND IS ACTIVE IN OTHER VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS. THIS MEDIUM PROVIDES IMMEDIATE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES TO ASK QUESTIONS AND SHARE IN JOYFUL TIMES AND IN GRIEF. THE SLO FOUNDATION HOSTS BIENNIAL FAMILY AND SCIENTIFIC SLOS CONFERENCES AROUND THE COUNTRY WHERE PHYSICIANS, SCIENTISTS, AND PARENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SYNDROME AND CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER. ANOTHER IMPORTANT MISSION OF THE SLO FOUNDATION IS TO RAISE FUNDS TO PROMOTE RESEARCH AND BETTER HEALTH TREATMENTS INTO THE DISORDER.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.