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Smart Recovery USA Inc

EIN 52-1811500 · Mentor, OH

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

SMART RECOVERY USA'S MISSION IS IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES WITH OUR SELF-EMPOWERING, SCIENCE-INFORMED APPROACH FOR ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 32%
Employees
14
Volunteers
1,613
Highest pay
$97,284, executive director

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 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. $1.6 million spent. OUR PRIMARY PROGRAM IS PROVIDING TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO THE VOLUNTEER FACILITATORS OF LOCAL MUTUAL SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS (IN-PERSON AND ONLINE) ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. IN 2024, WE TRAINED 2,968 NEW FACILITATORS IN SMART RECOVERY TOOLS, TECHNIQUES, AND MEETING FACILITATION METHODS. WE ALSO TRAINED 1,210 TREATMENT PROFESSIONALS TO USE SMART RECOVERY IN THEIR TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. AS OF 12/31/2024, WE SUPPORTED 1,676 IN-PERSON AND ONLINE MEETINGS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
  2. $85,700 spent. OUR MULTIPLE PATHWAYS PARTNER PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAINING AND A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE TO ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING US MAKE THE SMART RECOVERY APPROACH AVAILABLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. AS OF 12/31/2024, WE HAD 29 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ENROLLED.

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 November 6, 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 September 1993.

    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 November 4, 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.