International Essential Tremor Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The IETF provides hope to the ET community worldwide through awareness, education, support, and research.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $929,864
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 79 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 70%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 65
- Highest pay
- $135,081, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 79.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 61% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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 March 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 (1)
- $762,244 spent. Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological condition that mostly causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands while performing a task such as eating, writing, dressing, or drinking. (1) Each March the International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) hosts a special campaign to raise awareness about essential tremor during National Essential Tremor Awareness Month (NETA). Our goal is to achieve a greater understanding and acceptance of essential tremor. (2) Essential Tremor Research James Parkinson first distinguished essential tremor from other tremor disorders (including the disease that carries his namesake) in 1817. More than 200 years later, there are still many unanswered questions about essential tremor. However, researchers are moving our knowledge forward. It is vital to understand what causes ET in order to develop tailored treatment options and a cure for this life-altering condition. IETF Funded Research Essential tremor (ET) has no cure. If only we understood the cause of ET, then new, tailored treatments could be developed. Each year researchers with an interest in studying the various aspects of essential tremor are encouraged to submit scientific proposals for grant funding from the IETF. To date, your research donations have provided more than $1,350,000 to fund numerous promising studies. (3) Educational Programs The IETF facilitates and shares information on a variety of educational programs to educate patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and the general public about essential tremor (ET). Programs may cover the following topics: the diagnosis of ET, current treatment options, research, support groups, assistive technology, and more.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 October 13, 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 March 2026.
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 September 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 October 21, 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.