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Scleroderma Research Foundation

EIN 68-0087234 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Scleroderma Research Foundation is to fund and facilitate the most promising, highest quality research aimed at new treatments and, ultimately, a cure for scleroderma.

Income
$13.1 million
Spending
$10.3 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
19.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
10
Volunteers
255
Highest pay
$527,375, chief medical officer

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 60% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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, 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 (4)
  1. $4.4 million spent. CONQUEST is a global, perpetual, clinical trial platform developed by the SRF in coordination with partner biopharmaceutical companies to accelerate the clinical development of agents for scleroderma. CONQUEST is designed to rapidly advance promising treatments for scleroderma and to identify those agents that should progress from phase 2b to phase 3 clinical trials. CONQUEST will make an enduring contribution to the scleroderma community by creating an ecosystem designed to enable rapid and efficient development of novel drugs for scleroderma patients.
  2. $4.3 million spent. The mission of the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) is to find, fund, and facilitate the most promising, highest-quality research to cure scleroderma. We recruit the best and the brightest researchers to understand the causes, discover treatments, and ultimately eradicate this disease . At the SRF, research is at the center of all we do. Our Research Program is governed by the Board of Directors and supported by a volunteer Scientific Advisory Board comprised of some of the world's most highly regarded scientists who are leaders in their field of expertise. The Board of Directors and Scientific Advisors meet annually with researchers and clinicians from laboratories across the nation to select and fund the most promising scleroderma studies aimed at developing improved therapies to help patients live longer, fuller lives - and, ultimately, to find a cure for scleroderma.
  3. $639,412 spent. SRF Education & Awareness Program: Many patients hear the word scleroderma for the first time when they are diagnosed. We strive to raise awareness and provide educational resources because lack of awareness about scleroderma often causes delays in treatment or misdiagnosis. As an innovator in scleroderma research, the SRF is uniquely qualified to provide those living with this disease, the medical community, and the general public with the most up-to-date, trusted and relevant news and information about complications, treatments, and related research through our website, webinars, annual patient forum, and monthly eNewsletter. And we deliver stories of impact that connect and inspire patients, as well as address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion that patients may encounter as they navigate diagnosis, treatment, and living with the disease.
  4. The SRF Research Program: Led by a Scientific Advisory Board comprised of some of the most highly regarded scientists in the nation, the SRFs research program actively seeks out and recruits experts from the fields of rheumatology, immunology, genetics, and fibrosis, as well as, experts in cutting-edge technologies to join the scleroderma research community. With an intense focus on identifying projects and investigators likely to move scleroderma research forward, the SRF funds a diverse portfolio of projects led by top-tier investigators.

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

  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 2025.

    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 March 1987.

    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.