Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE BRYON RIESCH PARALYSIS FOUNDATION'S GOAL IS TO FIND A CURE FOR PARALYSIS THROUGH FUNDING THE LATEST IN MEDICAL RESEARCH AND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE THAT SUFFER FROM NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS.
- Income
- $459,835
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 50
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 118% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 68% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (1)
- $898,306 spent. AT THE BRYON RIESCH PARALYSIS FOUNDATION (BRPF), WE BELIEVE THAT A CURE FOR PARALYSIS IS TRULY POSSIBLE. THAT IS WHY WE AWARD RESEARCH GRANTS EVERY YEAR TO SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST MINDS AND BEST RESEARCH FACILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.A CURE WILL MOST LIKELY NOT COME FROM ONE IDEA OR ONE SOURCE BUT RESULT FROM A COLLABORATION OF EFFORTS. CONSEQUENTLY, WE PROVIDE PILOT FUNDING FOR IDEAS THAT OTHERWISE MAY NOT BE EXPLORED. WITH STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, WE WORK HARD AT MAKING SURE OUR FUNDS GET TO THOSE RESEARCHERS AND IDEAS MOST DESERVING. HELP FROM GENEROUS SUPPORTERS CAN GUARANTEE THAT WE KEEP RESEARCHERS FOCUSED ON A CURE FOR PARALYSIS.ALSO, AT THE BRPF, WE FIND IT VERY IMPORTANT TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS ALREADY SUFFERING FROM THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF A SPINAL CORD INJURY. THE FINANCIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES ARE EXTREME AND MANY TIMES AS CRIPPLING AS THE INJURY ITSELF. IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED CHARITABLE GRANTS WHICH ARE AWARDED QUARTERLY TO INDIVIDUALS. THESE GRANTS HELP PAY FOR ITEMS SUCH AS VAN MODIFICATIONS, WHEELCHAIRS AND RAMPS.MANY PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS ALSO DESIRE DESPERATELY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. CONSEQUENTLY, WE AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS BOTH FOR THE SPRING AND FALL SEMESTERS TO INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE EITHER SUFFERING FROM A NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER OR HAVE PARENTS THAT SUFFER FROM A NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER. WE ARE ELATED TO SEE PEOPLE OVERCOME VERY TOUGH SITUATIONS TO BE PRODUCTIVE AND IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.