The Lam Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To catalyze new treatments - and ultimately a cure - for LAM by advancing research, supporting compassionate care, and amplifying the voice of women with rare diseases.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 12.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $139,068, executive dir.
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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, 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)
- $863,888 spent. Research Costs The LAM Foundation awarded $200,000 to fund four new research projects in 2025. The Foundation continued to fund seven active grants which had been approved in prior years. In September 2025, we hosted an International Research Conference which featured 97 researchers and clinicians who shared their research and trials to further advance a cure for LAM.
- $544,913 spent. Patient Services In September 2025 we hosted a LAMposium which brought 211 patients, family and friends together in collaboration with our LAM clinic directors, liaisons and scientists. We offered 41 virtual events, including LAMposium in Your Living Room webinars, education meetings, and social gatherings. More than 1,000 members of our global community attended our virtual events, and the recordings continue to be watched. More than 300 individuals registered with the Foundation. Eleven Circle of Hope Transplant Support Program participants received lung transplants this year, resulting in more than 54 tissue samples to further LAM research.
- $117,182 spent. Clinical The LAM Clinic & Research Network continues to expand and provide locally based, expert care for women with LAM around the world. We added one clinic in 2025 in Turkey. The LAM Foundation hosted more than 40 members of the LAM Clinic and Research Network at the LAM Foundation luncheon at the ATS Conference in San Francisco, CA.
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
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 2025.
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 August 1995.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.