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American Cochlear Implant Alliance Foundation

EIN 45-3568770 · Mclean, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE ACCESS TO THE GIFT OF HEARING PROVIDED BY COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION THROUGH RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
4
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$197,101, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 437% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. ANNUAL CONFERENCE - THE CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER COCHLEAR IMPLANT CLINICIANS, EDUCATORS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO EXPLORE THE LATEST RESEARCH RESULTS, DISCUSS THE CLINICAL POPULATION, AND RAISE QUESTIONS REGARDING CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS.
  2. $236,415 spent. AWARENESS - THE ACI ALLIANCE CONDUCTS AWARENESS ACTIVITIES ABOUT CANDIDACY AND OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION. THE ACI ALLIANCE PROVIDES EXTENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE AND OTHER ACCESS ISSUES THROUGH ITS WEBSITE AND ARTICLES, PAPERS, AND PRESENTATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE ACI ALLIANCE ENCOURAGES COVERAGE OF COCHLEAR IMPLANTS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INSURANCE PLANS.
  3. $197,149 spent. ADVOCACY - ACI ALLIANCE HAS ORGANIZED A NETWORK OF 130 STATE CHAMPIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WHO SUPPORT OUR NATIONAL INITIATIVES AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION IN THEIR HOME STATES. ACI ALLIANCE STAFF AND MEMBERS ARE SUPPORTED BY A PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRM THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE ON SPECIFIC LEGAL MECHANISMS AND INFORMATIONAL APPROACHES. IN RECENT YEARS, WE HAVE ADDRESSED ACCESS TO MEDICARE, MEDICAID, PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE, AND ENSURING THAT PARENTS HAVE FULL INFORMATION ABOUT EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION FOR THEIR CHILD WITH HEARING LOSS.
  4. $52,377 spent. RESEARCH - THE ACI ALLIANCE STRATEGICALLY SUPPORTS RESEARCH THAT COULD IMPROVE ACCESS TO COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION, WHICH WAS NOT BEING SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED ELSEWHERE. SUPPORT WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO A PROJECT THAT SEEKS TO EXPAND MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANTS. AN INTERNAL RESEARCH PROJECT EXPLORED MEDICAID LIMITATIONS IN CERTAIN STATES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 2012.

    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 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.