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Epilepsy Foundation of America

EIN 52-0856660 · Bowie, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLES AFFECTED BY EPILEPSY THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, RESEARCH, AND CONNECTION.

Income
$16.2 million
Spending
$19.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
99
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$481,358, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $10.4 million spent. ADVOCACY AND SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES - DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE DISORDERS, AND THIER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, RECEIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICES AND CARE. THE FOUNDATION DEVELOPS NATIONWIDE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF NEARLY FIFTY LOCAL EPILEPSY FOUNDATIONS AND CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON EPILEPSY.COM. PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES FOCUS ON ENGAGING PARENTS, CHILDREN AND ADULTS ON IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. THE FOUNDATION ALSO HAS PROGRAMS DEDICATED TO ENDING EARLY DEATH FROM EPILEPSY AND IMPROVING OVERALL WELLNESS. THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO BE CULTURALLY AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE. THE FOUNDATION AND ITS GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ADVOCATE AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS TO SECURE FUNDING FOR EPILEPSY PROGRAMS.
  2. $2.7 million spent. PUBLIC HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND AWARENESS - PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORTING SERVICES THAT CREATE AND PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS SURROUNDING EPILEPSY. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA CHANNELS INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA AND THROUGH THE DIRECT MAIL PROGRAM WHICH SERVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF RAISING FUNDS FOR THE FOUNDATION AND INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE FOUNDATION'S CAUSE. THE FOUNDATION EDUCATES THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH MEDIA SOURCES, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS AND PROFESSIONAL AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED THE EPILEPSY LEARNING HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (ELHS) NETWORK, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE TO DRIVE QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH TO IMPROVE MEDICAL OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY.
  3. $1.2 million spent. RESEARCH, INNOVATION, AND NEW THERAPIES - ACCELERATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE THERAPIES, PREVENTION, AND CURES FOR ALL FORMS OF EPILEPSIES, AND SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE GAP IN THE RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION CONTINUUM. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP AN EPILEPSY RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM THAT COVERS ALL PARTS OF THERAPY, FROM IDEA TO MARKET. THE FOUNDATION'S RESEARCH INITIATIVES INCLUDE: INNOVATION PROGRAMS THAT TEST NEW IDEAS AND FOLLOW NEW RESEARCH LEADS AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY, THEIR FAMILIES, ADVOCATES, RESEARCHERS, AND INVESTORS. DIGITAL TOOLS THAT SUPPORT RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE. FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS YOUNG RESEARCHERS TO BRING THEIR IDEAS TO LIFE. PRACTICE SOLUTIONS TO ERADICATE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED DEATH IN EPILEPSY (SUDEP).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 June 2025.

    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 February 1959.

    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.