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Emily Whitehead Foundation

EIN 47-2277599 · Philipsburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR GREATER ACCESS TO ADVANCED THERAPIES, SUCH AS CELL AND GENE THERAPIES, AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY CANCER AND RARE DISEASE. SUPPORT INCLUDES EDUCATION, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, CONNECTIONS TO TREATMENT CENTERS AND CLINICAL TRIALS, AND COMFORT PACKAGES.

Income
$954,665
Spending
$773,109
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$99,000, chairman

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 159% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 16 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.

  • 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 December 31, 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 (2)
  1. $350,179 spent. PROGRAM HIGHTLIGHTS - ADVOCACY & ACCESS - THE FOUNDATION ADVANCES AWARENESS, ADVOCACY, AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CELL, GENE AND ADVANCED THERAPIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CANCER AND RARE DISEASES. ITS PROGRAMS PROMOTE EDUCATION, PATIENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT, AND COLLABORATION AMONG RESEARCHERS, CLINICIANS, AND POLICYMAKERS TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS. THROUGH OUTREACH, PARTNERSHIPS, AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, THE FOUNDATION HELPS THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS AND FAMILIES NAVIGATE ACCESS TO EMERGING THERAPIES WHILE FOSTERING A MORE INFORMED, CONNECTED, AND HOPEFUL PATIENT COMMUNITY.
  2. $147,082 spent. RESEARCH GRANTS TO ORGS - THE EMILY WHITEHAD FOUNDATION FUNDS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT AND ACCESSIBILITY OF CELL, GENE, AND IMMUNOTHERAPIES FOR PATIENTS AFFECTED BY CANCER AND RARE DISEASES. PROJECTS ARE SELECTED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE REVIEW BY LEADING SCIENTISTS AND CLINICIANS IN THE FIELD OF ADVANCED THERAPIES. THE FOUNDATION'S GRANT PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FILLING CRITICAL GAPS IN FUNDING TO HELP PROMISING RESEARCH MOVE FROM EARLY DISCOVERY TO CLINICAL APPLICATION. WE SUPPORT EMERGING INVESTIGATORS AND INSTITUTIONS WORKING TO DEVELOP MORE EFFECTIVE, LESS TOXIC TREATMENTS, ENSURING THAT INNOVATION TRANSLATES INTO REAL-WORLD HOPE FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 December 2014.

    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.