ALS Northwest
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LEADING THE FIGHT TO TREAT AND CURE ALS THROUGH GLOBAL RESEARCH AND NATIONWIDE ADVOCACY WHILE ALSO EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH ALS (LOU GEHRIGS DISEASE) AND THEIR FAMILIES TO LIVE FULLER LIVES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH COMPASSIONATE CARE AND SUPPORT.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 15.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 450
- Highest pay
- $159,552, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 January 31, 2026, 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 (5)
- $847,879 spent. OUTREACH AND ADVOCACYALS NORTHWEST PROVIDES ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SUPPORT FEDERAL AND STATE PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF FAMILIES LIVING WITH ALS, OUTREACH EFFORTS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT ALS, AS WELL AS CUTTING EDGE GLOBAL RESEARCH WORKING TOWARD AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AND ULTIMATELY A CURE FOR ALS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTRIBUTED TO A NATIONAL EFFORT THAT FUNDED SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF ALS, THE DISEASE MECHANISM, GENETICS, BIOMARKERS FOR ALS, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH TO MOVE THERAPY IDEAS FROM THE LAB BENCH TO THERAPY. PUBLIC POLICY ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2026, INCLUDE ADVOCACY OF PEOPLE WITH ALS TO CONNECT WITH LEGISLATORS IN WASHINGTON DC TO ADVOCATE FOR CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL ALS REGISTRY, THE ALS RESEARCH PROGRAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, THE ACT FOR ALS ACT AND FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR ALS RESEARCH. AWARENESS EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDE WALK ALS, SKI ALS, RIDE ALS, MAY ALS AWARENESS MONTH, ALS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM, CREATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, MISSION CONNECTED SOCIAL MEDIA, AND CREATION OF VIDEOS THAT ILLUSTRATE WHAT ALS IS AND HOW THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVICES CAN HELP.NOVEMBER NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH ACTIVITIES SERVE AS OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING HOPE AND COMMUNITY TO PEOPLE WITH ALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BY COMING TOGETHER AT AWARENESS EVENTS, PEOPLE WITH ALS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO ALS FIND STRENGTH AND SUPPORT WITH ONE ANOTHER. THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THESE EFFORTS RAISE THE PROFILE OF ALS ACROSS THE REGION AND ENGAGE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE SERVICES AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM ALS NORTHWEST. RESEARCH IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION.AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE OF ALS AND THOSE AFFECTED, THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES ALS EVENTS THAT PROMOTE THE NATIONAL ALS REGISTRY. THIS EFFORT IS VITAL TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF ALS ACROSS OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON SO THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY AND STRATEGICALLY PLAN TO SERVE AS MANY FAMILIES LIVING WITH ALS IN THE NORTHWEST.
- $565,259 spent. INDEPENDENCE PROGRAMSTO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES THAT HELP PEOPLE WITH EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS TO ASSIST IN THEIR DAILY LIVES. THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM PROVIDES EQUIPMENT SUCH AS MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS, POWER WHEELCHAIRS, BATHROOM EQUIPMENT AND PATIENT LIFTS TO FAMILIES FOR SHORT AND LONG-TERM LOAN. PARTNERING WITH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT COMPANIES ACROSS THE CHAPTER, THE ORGANIZATION FULFILLED 429 MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN REQUESTS DURING THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2026.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HAS A UNIQUE PROGRAM TO ASSIST FAMILIES LIVING WITH ALS IN ACCESSING AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC) EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR COMPUTER ACCESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS FOR PEOPLE WITH ALS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED SUPPORT, TRAINING, ASSISTIVE AND COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT LOANS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND HOME-BASED SUPPORT TO 75 FAMILIES DURING THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2026.THE ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HELP WITH THE HIGH COSTS OF CARE FOR FAMILIES LIVING WITH ALS. OVER $128,990 IN GRANTS WERE MADE TO 190 FAMILIES FOR WELL-BEING AND FAMILY SUPPORT, COMMUNICATION SUPPORT, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, HOME MODIFICATIONS, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES.
- $371,499 spent. EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMSSTRATEGICALLY BASED IN AND NEAR PATIENTS HOME COMMUNITIES, CARE SERVICES COORDINATORS WORK DIRECTLY WITH PEOPLE WITH ALS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE MANAGEMENT OF ALS AS WELL AS ACCESS COMMUNITY RESOURCES. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2026, CARE SERVICE COORDINATORS MADE 300 HOME VISITS. IN THESE VISITS, COORDINATORS ARE OFTEN THE CRUCIAL SUPPORT PEOPLE NEED WITH GUIDANCE ON FINANCE, EMPLOYMENT ISSUES, INSURANCE QUESTIONS, SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND LONG-TERM ARE QUESTIONS. COORDINATORS FACILITATED 182 ALS SUPPORT GROUPS IN PERSON AND ONLINE. CARE SERVICES STAFF ALSO PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUCH AS HOSPICE, HOME HEALTH AND HOME CARE AGENCIES TO INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF ALS.
- $324,336 spent. CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAMSTHE CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES NEEDED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND PRACTICAL GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION SUPPORT FOR FAMILY AND OTHER CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS. WITH SUPPORT GROUPS AND ONE-ON-ONE CAREGIVER CONSULTATIONS THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED 590 FAMILIES DURING THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2026.THE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM OFFERS INFORMATION AND LIVE SUPPORT EVENTS FOR FAMILIES LIVING WITH ALS WHO HAVE CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN. OUR FAMILY FUN WEEK PROVIDED EDUCATION AND RECREATION TO MULTIPLE FAMILIES ACROSS OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. WE PARTNERED WITH THE PROVIDENCE ALS CENTER TO SPONSOR CAREGIVER 101 TRAININGS WHERE FAMILY CAREGIVERS LEARNED PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR CARING FOR THEIR LOVED ONE WITH ALS.THE BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR 500 FAMILIES WHO HAD LOST A LOVED ONE WITH ALS IN THE LAST YEAR WITH MAIL, TELEPHONE, AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH COMMUNICATIONS TO ASSIST FAMILY MEMBERS MOVING THROUGH THE GRIEVING PROCESS.
- $253,669 spent. ALS CLINICS AND CERTIFIED CENTER SUPPORTTO SUPPORT THE HIGHEST QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE WITH ALS, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH AND SUPPORTS COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN OFFERING ALS SPECIALTY MULTIDISCIPLINARY CLINICS. THESE ONE-STOP SHOPS ARE EVIDENCE-BASED MODELS THAT PROMOTE COORDINATED CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH ALS AT THE PROVIDENCE ALS CENTER, THE VA PORTLAND HEALTH SYSTEM ALS CENTER, THE OHSU ALS CENTER, KAISER SUNNYSIDE MEDICAL CENTER IN CLACKAMAS, AND ST. CHARLES MEDICAL CENTER IN BEND.THE ORGANIZATION HAS ASSISTED WITH STAFFING, SUPPLIES, AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR CLINIC PROVIDERS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2026, THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED OVER 652 CLINIC APPOINTMENTS FOR FAMILIES WITH ALS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED FUNDING FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT FUNDED COUNSELING SERVICES AND PROVIDED ONGOING COLLABORATION WITH THE PROVIDENCE ALS CENTER AND THE CAREGIVING 101 PROGRAM. ADDITIONAL FUNDS WERE SHARED TO THE ALS CENTER AT OHSU TO SUPPORT NURSING STAFFING.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending January 2026.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.