Mad in America Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MAD IN AMERICA'S MISSION IS TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR RETHINKING PSYCHIATRIC CARE IN THE UNITED STATES (AND ABROAD). WE BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT DRUG-BASED PARADIGM OF CARE HAS FAILED OUR SOCIETY, AND THAT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, AS WELL AS THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER, CALLS FOR PROFOUND CHANGE.
- Income
- $473,335
- Spending
- $346,944
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 20.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $65,000, president/treasurer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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
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)
- $265,411 spent. TO PUBLISH A WEBZINE, MADINAMERICA.COM, THAT PROVIDES NEWS OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, ORIGINAL JOURNALISM ARTICLES, AND A FORUM FOR AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF WRITERS--PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, PEER SPECIALISTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, PSYCHIATRISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PROGRAM MANAGERS, JOURNALISTS, ATTORNEYS, AND MORE--TO EXPLORE ISSUES RELATED TO THIS GOAL OF "REMAKING PSYCHIATRY."
- $29,491 spent. TO RUN MAD IN AMERICA CONTINUING EDUCATION, WHICH HOSTS ONLINE COURSES TAUGHT BY LEADING RESEARCHERS IN THE FIELD. THESE COURSES PROVIDE A SCIENTIFIC CRITIQUE OF THE EXISTING PARADIGM OF CARE, AND TELL OF ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES THAT COULD SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION FOR A NEW PARADIGM, ONE THAT EMPHASIZES PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE, AND DE-EMPHASIZES THE USE OF PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS, PARTICULARLY OVER THE LONG-TERM. WHILE THE GENERAL PUBLIC MAY TAKE THE COURSES, WE ARE PRIMARILY MARKETING THE COURSES TO PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING PSYCHIATRISTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 November 2015.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Americares Foundation Inc (Stamford, CT), EIN 06-1008595. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.