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The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors

EIN 37-1540551 · Franklin Lks, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE MISSION STATEMENT BELOWTO RAISE THE AWARNESS AND FUNDS NECESSARY TO OVERCOME PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS AND TO HELP THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THEM

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
34.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 63%
Employees
3
Volunteers
30

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 34.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. THE FOUNDATION (AKA "IRONMATT") FUNDS CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH TO ULTIMATELY FIND A CURE FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS. IRONMATT ALSO SUPPORTS INVESTIGATORS LOOKING INTO WAYS TO LESSEN THE NEGATIVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS THAT TREATMENT INCLUDING SURGERY, CHEMOTHERAPY, AND RADIATION HAVE ON A CHILKD'S GROWING BRAIN. A MEDICAL ADVISORY COMITTE, COMPOSED OF DOCTORS FROM PROMINENT RESEARCH HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE, GUIDES, COMPOSED OF DOCTORS FROM PROMINENT RESEARCH HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE, GUIDES THE FOUNDATION IN DETERMINING THE SCIENTIFIC MERIT OF MEDICAL GRANTS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. IRONMATT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFIED FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR A BRAIN OR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) CANCER. HARDSHIPS ASSOCIATED WITH HAVING A CHILD DIAGNOSED WITH A CANCER INCLUDE INCREASED EXPENSES AS THEY EXPERIENCE A DIFFICULT TREATMENT REGIMEN OR EXTENDED HOSPITALIZATION.
  3. $7,700 spent. IRONMATT INCREASES AWARENESS OF PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN ASSOCIATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP OF SYMPOSIUMS. IRONMATT COLLABORATED WITH LEADING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO WORK TOGETHER TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ADVANCE RESEARCH IN AN EFFORT TO FIND A CUREOF CHILDHOOD CANCERS.IRONMATT CO-SPONSORS SYMPOSIUMS THAT BRING TOGETHER HEALTHCAARE PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO PRESENT CURRENT TRENDS IN CARE, MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS.THIS PROVIDES A PLATFORM AT WHICH NEW INFORMATION AND RESULTS CAN BE SHARED AND NEW COLLABORATIONS CAN BE ESTABLISHED.

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

  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 March 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 June 2007.

    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.