Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Scleroderma Foundation of California

EIN 77-0229244 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWERING THE SCLERODERMA COMMUNITY TO LIVE BETTER LIVES THROUGH PROGRAMS COMMITTED TO SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH.PILLARS OF OUR MISSION: SUPPORT: INSPIRING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PATIENT SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS INCLUDING 26 VOLUNTEER DRIVEN LOCAL COMMUNITY & PEER LED SUPPORT GROUPS, STAFF DRIVEN ONE-ON-ONE PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO THRIVE. EDUCATION: FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND AND PROPERLY DIAGNOSIS SCLERODERMA EARLY, AND FOR PATIENTS TO HELP THEM AND COPE AND THRIVE WHILE LIVING WITH SCLERODERMA. RESEARCH: FUNDING RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT WILL LEAD THE WAY TO FINDING A CURE FOR SCLERODERMA.

Income
$944,564
Spending
$448,214
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
21 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$129,989, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 244% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $81,416 spent. SUPPORT GROUPS:OUR 26 SUPPORT GROUPS LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE, PROVIDE A SAFE, COMPASSIONATE SPACE WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN SHARE EXPERIENCES, FIND UNDERSTANDING, AND BUILD RESILIENCE ALONGSIDE OTHERS WHO FACE SIMILAR CHALLENGES. FACILITATED BY PROFESSIONAL TRAINED VOLUNTEERS OUR SUPPORT GROUPS OFTEN FEATURE SPEAKERS SPECIALIZING IN SCLERODERMA OR RELATED TOPICS AND FOSTER EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, REDUCE ISOLATION, AND PROMOTE A SENSE OF BELONGING. THEY ALSO CONNECT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WITH OTHERS WHO CAN SHARE PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TREATMENT OPTIONS, COPING STRATEGIES, LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
  2. $53,014 spent. EDUCATION DAYS:WHETHER YOU'RE A PATIENT, CAREGIVER, OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL OUR EDUCATION DAYS EMPOWER ATTENDEES WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION AND STRATEGIES FOR LIVING WELL WITH SCLERODERMA. WITH LEADING EXPERT PRESENTATIONS SHARING THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SCLERODERMA AND ITS MANAGEMENT. DESIGNED TO ENHANCE SELF-ADVOCACY, IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND ENCOURAGE PROACTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN ONE'S OWN CARE. FOR MANY, IT ALSO PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO UNDERSTAND THEIR JOURNEY AND FIND COMFORT IN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. ALL EDUCATION DAYS ARE FREE FOR PATIENTS, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CAREGIVERS TO ATTEND.
  3. $149,365 spent. PATIENT OUTREACH:OUR PATIENT OUTREACH PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY SCLERODERMA. WE CONNECT THE PATIENTS TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE THE SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE, TO LIVE SUCCESSFULLY. WE REACH OUT TO PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO ENSURE THEY ARE AWARE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT. THROUGH PERSONALIZED COMMUNICATION AND OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS WE CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS ACCESS CARE, NAVIGATE COMPLEX HEALTH SYSTEMS, AND FEEL SUPPORTED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
  4. $67,925 spent. HEALTHCARE AND PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM:WE WORK CLOSELY WITH HOSPITALS, CLINICS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO INTEGRATE BEST PRACTICES AND STRENGTHEN REFERRAL RELATIONSHIPS. WE AIM TO CREATE A COORDINATED NETWORK OF INFORMED PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN DELIVER TIMELY, COMPASSIONATE, AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE ULTIMATELY IMPROVING OUTCOMES AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WE SERVE. WE PARTNER WITH PHYSICIANS, NURSES, AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO HELP THEIR PATIENTS, ENSURING THAT PROVIDERS CONNECT THEM TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES. WE ALSO WORK TOGETHER THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES, AND DIRECT COMMUNICATION. OUR CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED FOR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, NURSES AND OTHER ALLIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND IS FOR EARLY DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF SCLERODERMA. THIS FREE, ACCREDITED CME EXISTS TO ENHANCE PATIENT OUTCOMES AND IMPROVE AWARENESS OF SCLERODERMA AMONG PROVIDERS. THE PROGRAM IS MANAGED BY THE OFFICE OF CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MEDICAL SCHOOL AND IS ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (ACCME) AND WORTH 3.75 AMA PRA CATEGORY 1 CREDITS. THERE IS NO FEE TO REGISTER OR TO CLAIM CME CREDIT.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1994.

    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.