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Joe Martin ALS Foundation

EIN 26-0163120 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The purpose of the Foundation is to provide service to individuals living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, and their families by providing homecare aides who will i assist ALS patients with daily living activities such as getting in and out of bed, eating, showering and dressing for the day ii provide exercise sessions designed to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, prevent contracture, blood clots and the loss of bone density iii respite care to provide family members of ALS patients the opportunity to attend to their own needs iv train family members and ALS patients to use various equipment and devices designed to enable ALS patients to communicate v loan assistive devices to ALS patients vi provide transportation for ALS patients vii provide ALS patients and their families assistance with travel planning and other activities that become much more difficult when a family member has ALS. The Foundation provides these services without c

Income
$666,450
Spending
$489,194
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
31.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
9
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$100,000, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $283,705 spent. Respite Care - The Joe Martin ALS Foundation provides respite care at no cost for ALS patients. This includes getting patients out of bed, dressing, bathing, eating and starting a productive day. Respite care relieves the patient's family members of these responsibilities and allows the primary caregivers to take a break or attend to their own needs. The average number of families served for the year is 18 per week, with 6 hours per week for each family. Therefore, approximately 5,616 hours of respite care was provided at no cost to ALS patients.
  2. $47,315 spent. Other Program Services/Joe's Camp
  3. $38,980 spent. Therapy Sessions - Poor blood circulation, kidney stones, edema, and contracture are just a few of the problems associated with paralysis. The progression of ALS leads to paralysis, but range of motion ROM, standing sessions, and exercise can prevent these problems and help maintain mobility for as long as possible. These therapies are provided in the patient's home. The average number therapy sessions per week for the year were 36, at one hour per session. Therefore, approximately 1,872 hours of therapy was provided at no cost to ALS patients.
  4. $22,154 spent. Client Transportation - Many of the Foundation's clients do not own wheelchair accessible transportation. The Foundation owns and maintains a wheelchair accessible van to transport ALS patients to doctor appointments, ALS clinic days, to high school graduations, family reunions, and trips to get out of the house. The van was used for 81 of these events for an average of 15 miles per event. Employee hours, gas, and maintenance are included in the cost of this service at no charge to the ALS patients.
  5. $3,082 spent. Education Services - The Joe Martin ALS Foundation provides ALS caregiver education and training. We promote safe methods and techniques to keep both the person with ALS and their caregiver safe. We also raise ALS awareness and educate the public about Lou Gehrig's disease and advocate to improve quality of life for families fighting ALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 January 2008.

    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.