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Matthew Perry Foundation

EIN 61-2179747 · Woodland Hills, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM MATTHEW'S LIFE, THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO RAISING AWARENESS AND FOSTERING UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE NATURE OF ADDICTION AND WORKING TO DISMANTLE THE BARRIERS OF STIGMA THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SEEKING AND RECEIVING CARE.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
19.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$207,384, chairman

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 7 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

    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. THE FOUNDATION ISSUED GRASSROOTS GRANTS UNDER OUR GRASSROOTS RECOVERY GRANTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DIVERSE GROUPS THAT PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN OFFERING HOPE AND RECOVERY TO INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, BUT THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OR RECOGNITION OFTER REQUIRED TO SECURE TRADITIONAL FUNDING. THE FOUNDATION WORKED DIRECTLY WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO IDENTIFY PROGRAMS IN DIRE NEED. THESE GRANTS HELP BRIDGE GAPS IN INDIVIDUAL RECOVERY JOURNEYS AND FILL THEM WITH SUPPORT FROM LEADERS ON THE GROUND.
  2. THE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH DR. ANDREW HERRING, HIGHLAND HOSPITAL, AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE IN LAUNCHING A TRANSFORMATIVE TELEHEALTH PROGRAM TO SUPPORT INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM OPIOID USE DISORDER (OUD). THE STARK TRUTH IS THAT IT IS CHEAPER FOR THE STATE TO LET THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING DIE THAN TO PROVIDE THEM THE TREATMENT THEY VITALLY NEED. THE PILOT PROGRAM HAS SHOWN THAT CONNECTING INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TO ADDICTION SPECIALISTS BEFORE RELEASE, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVES FOLLOW-UP CARE AND REDUCES THE RISK OF OVERDOSE. WE ARE AIMING TO EXPAND THIS PROGRAM STATEWIDE, ENSURING CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.
  3. OUR FIRST FELLOWSHIP IS THE MATTHEW PERRY FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP IN ADDICTION MEDICINE AT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (MGH). LED BY DR. SARAH WAKEMAN, A NATIONAL LEADER IN ADDICTION MEDICINE, THIS FELLOWSHIP EXEMPLIFIES OUR COMMITMENT TO RESHAPING HOW ADDICTION IS TREATED AND PERCEIVED. THE ONE-YEAR FELLOWSHIP OFFERS A ROBUST COMBINATION OF INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT CARE TRAINING, WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON TREATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN POPULATIONS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY ADDICTION. PHYSICIANS RECEIVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING DESIGNED TO PREPARE THEM FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES IN ADDICTION MEDICINE.

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 October 2024.

    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.

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.