Passes our checks

Usher 1f Collaborative Inc

EIN 46-4309387 · Newtonville, MA

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

What it says it does

To fund medical research to find an effective treatment to save or restore the vision of those affected with Usher Syndrome Type 1F.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
12 of 12 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
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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$712,836 spent. 2025 Grants to Research Labs: Harvard Medical School, David Corey Lab: $320,000 Development of gene therapies for Usher 1F University of Oregon Institute of Neuroscience, Monte Westerfield Lab: $80,000 Testing existing drugs for repurposing for Usher 1F 2025 Grant for year 4 of RUSH1F, 4-year natural history study in partnership with Foundation Fighting Blindness: $200,000. 2026 is year 4 of 4. This study will provide critical data for a future clinical trial. $5000 awarded to Usher Syndroom, Netherlands, for support/sponsorship of international Usher syndrome scientific research conference Total payment to Unravel Biosciences to identify drugs for repurposing for Usher 1F: $45,610 with an additional $45,610 due early 2026 at conclusion of study. Total grants awarded in 2025: $350,610 Key Research advances realized in 2025: Harvard conducting further preclinical testing of mini-gene Harvard team published the following paper in peer-reviewed journal: Mini-Pcdh15b Gene Therapy Rescues Visual Deficits in a Zebrafish Model of Usher Syndrome Type 1F https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.05.686814v1 2 more papers in progress from Harvard lab for publication in 2026 Corey lab is now testing gene therapy from The Salk Institute, Samuel Pfaff lab, and early results are exciting. Hired a consultant to take our mini-gene through the next steps to apply for a clinical trial. Agreement in progress. Will include with 2026 audit since its not yet signed.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 December 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 August 2014.
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.