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Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection

EIN 81-1037564 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection is to ensure everyone living with a spinal cord injury in Oregon has the care, community, and resources they need to thrive.

Income
$427,229
Spending
$633,802
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
15
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$73,334, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 62% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (3)
  1. $222,244 spent. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER PROGRAM: After a traumatic SCI, social support is critically important. Trauma can leave lasting marks on a person's mind, heart and body that can result in an inability to trust easily. A CHW is a peer who has similar lived-experienced of spinal cord injury trauma and can offer emotional support in the form of empathy, empowerment, trust, and care. A community health worker also helps a person learn to direct their own care, adopt positive coping mechanisms and health-promoting behaviors, skills, and habits that will help them thrive. A CHW provides a warm introduction to the Oregon SCI community where new friendships support recreation, education, employment, stable housing, and peer connections. Additionally, as a liaison and link to the healthcare system and other community organizations CHWs can offer tangible aid to resources and services. Newly injured people who are supported by CHWs and the OSCI community are more likely to avoid serious secondary health conditions that can lead to rehospitalization. This level of personal advocacy accelerates their transition through the tumultuous first year toward being independent and developing a positive health trajectory that allows them to maintain a high quality of life.
  2. $136,894 spent. WHEELCHAIR MAINTENANCE WORKSHOPS: A flat tire, bad caster bearings, or broken brakes are not only a risk to to safety, these equipment failures can prevent people with SCIs from participating in the activities of your daily life, like going to the doctor and meeting with friends. OSCI helps our clients keep their chairs in tip-top maintenance. Together with our partners we provide a free wheelchair maintenance workshops. The goal of this program is to provide tools and equipment to support learning, entry-level maintenance, and repairs for anyone who wants to learn more about wheelchair maintenance or is experiencing an urgent need.
  3. $98,094 spent. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: MEET-UPS - Many individuals with a new spinal cord injury don't know anyone else in a wheelchair which can be a scary and isolating reality. Our community meet-ups are not a formal support group, but people who attend feel supported. It's a safe space to meet other wheelchair users, swap stories, ask questions, and learn tips and tricks from others. The group meets in a casual, accessible public setting like a pizza parlor, brewpub, or restaurant. There is no agenda other than welcoming others and making new friends. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES - Summer is the season for the outdoors and camping, and yet people living with spinal cord injury are less likely to go camping and enjoy the great Oregon outdoors because of diverse environmental barriers. Specifically, the majority of Oregon's camping facilities and outdoor recreation programs are not designed to accommodate people with disabilities. Our adaptive camping program gets people with SCI and their families and friends into nature for a weekend of camping.

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 July 2016.

    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.