Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Action Network Inc

EIN 47-4011296 · Santa Monica, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD A GLOBAL MOVEMENT TO FIGHT FOR RECOGNITION, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH SO THAT ONE DAY, ALL PEOPLE WITH M.E. WILL HAVE ACCESS TO COMPASSIONATE AND EFFECTIVE CARE.

Income
$693,686
Spending
$690,329
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
9
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$93,525, executive director

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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (4)
  1. $200,818 spent. RESEARCH AND MEDICAL:WE AIM TO GROW THE SCIENTIFIC FIELD THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND PATIENT-DRIVEN RESEARCH SO THAT TREATMENTS, DIAGNOSIS, AND OUTCOMES CAN IMPROVE FOR PEOPLE WITH ME.
  2. $130,173 spent. DIGITAL ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS:ADVOCACY IS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR WORK AT #MEACTION. EVERY YEAR, WE TAKE DECISIVE STEPS TO STRENGTHEN OUR VOICE WITH THE US GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. WE URGE EACH AGENCY TO PRIORITIZE THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE WITH ME THROUGH ACCELERATED RESEARCH, CLINICAL EDUCATION, AND A DEDICATED SEARCH FOR AN FDA-APPROVED TREATMENT. INFLUENCED BY THE HIV/AIDS MOVEMENT, OUR ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES, PUBLISHED PETITIONS, OPEN LETTERS, MEETINGS, PEACEFUL PROTESTS, PRESS CONFERENCES, ADVOCACY DAYS AND MORE.
  3. $121,523 spent. #MILLIONSMISSING:#MILLIONSMISSING IS OUR GLOBAL EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ACHIEVE RIGHTS FOR ME/CFS PATIENTS. SINCE 2016, WE HAVE BANDED TOGETHER EVERY YEAR TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ADVOCATE FOR ACTION.
  4. MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

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

  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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2017.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.