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Sumaira Foundation

EIN 47-2398246 · Somerville, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SUMAIRA FOUNDATION, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION"), A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION, THAT IS DEDICATED TO GENERATING GLOBAL AWARENESS OF NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA SPECTRUM DISORDER ("NMOSD"), FUNDRAISING TO HELP FIND A CURE, AND CREATING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. THE ORGANIZATION IS SUPPORTED PRIMARILY THROUGH GRANTS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$300,305, president

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $206,952 spent. GRANTS TO FACILITATE RESEARCH FOR THE TREATMENT OF NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA AND MYELIN OLIGODENDROCYTE GLYCOPROTEIN ANITBODY DISEASE.
  2. $107,460 spent. WORKING TO GENERATE GLOBAL AWARENESS OF NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA SPECTRUM DISORDER (NMOSD) AND MYELIN OLIGODENDROCYTE GLYCOPROTEIN ANITBODY DISEASE (MOGAD), AND CREATING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS + THEIR CAREGIVERS.
  3. $129,181 spent. ORGANIZING REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FEATURING LOCAL EXPERTS TO FOSTER COMMUNITY, EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT FOR NMOSD/MOGAD PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS, CLINICIANS AND RESEARCHERS.

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 2024.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Summit Foundation (Charlotte, NC), EIN 30-0595477. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.