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Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics

EIN 26-3160079 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ANGELMAN SYNDROME (AS) IS A NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER CHARACTERIZED BY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT DELAYS AND SEVERE SPEECH IMPAIRMENT. A FEW INDIVIDUALS WITH AS DEVELOP FUNCTIONAL SPEECH, BUT MOST COMMUNICATE THROUGH A MIXTURE OF GESTURES, EYE GAZE, ADAPTED SIGN LANGUAGE AND AUGUMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION DEVICES. INDIVIDUALS WITH AS HAVE DEVELOPMENT DELAY AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. CURRENT RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT NEURONAL DEVELOPMENT OCCURS CORRECTLY IN AS, BUT NEURONAL FUNCTIONING IS IMPAIRED. THIS NEURONAL IMPAIRMENT IMPACTS THE INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO LEARN IN THAT SKILLS ARE ACQUIRED LESS RAPIDLY THAN IN AGE-MATCHED PEERS. THE FOUNDATION FOR ANGELMAN SYNDROME THERAPEUTICS IS AN ORGANIZATION OF FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO FINDING A CURE FOR AS AND RELATED DISORDERS THROUGH THE FUNDING OF AN AGRESSIVE RESEARCH AGENDA, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT. FAST IS COMMITTED TO ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH AS TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

Income
$5.4 million
Spending
$10.4 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
46.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
11
Volunteers
291
Highest pay
$509,945, chief science officer

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 93% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 63% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 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 (2)
  1. $3.7 million spent. FAST'S PRIMARY GOAL IS TO ADVANCE RESEARCH LEADING TO A CURE FOR AS IN THE FORM OF PROVIDING GRANTS TO UNIVERSITIES TO PERFORM RESEARCH AND TESTING.
  2. $5.5 million spent. AS IS A RARE DISORDER. THE COMMUNITY OF PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AS RELY HEAVILY ON SOCIAL NETWORKING TO BECOME INFORMED AND SEEK ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON THE CHALLENGES WHICH THE DISORDER PRESENTS. IT IS ONE OF FAST'S OBJECTIVES TO EDUCATE, SUPPORT, AND STRENGTHEN THIS COMMUNITY.

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 December 2008.

    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.