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Susan Mast ALS Foundation Inc

EIN 81-2588497 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE SUSAN MAST ALS FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT SUPPORT TO ALS PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS LIVING IN WEST MICHIGAN. OUR SERVICES FOCUS ON ALL AREAS OF NEED FOR THE REGIONAL ALS COMMUNITY.

Income
$638,808
Spending
$506,620
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$77,702, president/executive direct

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: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 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 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 62% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (4)
  1. $125,337 spent. RESPITE - THE SUSAN MAST ALS FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES CAREGIVERS NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THEIR LOVED ONE LIVING WITH ALS. THEREFORE, THE FOUNDATION ASSISTS BY REIMBURSING ALS FAMILIES EACH MONTH WITH THEIR RESPITE CARE EXPENSES. WE ALSO PROVIDE FREEZER MEALS TO THESE FAMILIES SO THEY CAN TAKE A BREAK FROM COOKING.
  2. $30,492 spent. EQUIPMENT - THE SUSAN MAST ALS FOUNDATION HAS A LOAN LOCKER COMPRISED OF GENTLY USED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. THE EQUIPMENT IS PRIMARILY DONATED FROM ALS FAMILIES WHO NO LONGER NEED THE EQUIPMENT. IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED BY THE PATIENT, WE TRY AND PURCHASE THE EQUIPMENT VIA AMAZON AND IT IS DELIVERED TO THE PATIENT'S DOOR.
  3. $38,121 spent. MYTURN PROJECT - THE MYTURN PROJECT WAS CREATED IN 2018 TO ASSIST ALS FAMILIES WITH SMALL HOME RE-MODIFICATION PROJECTS SUCH AS RAMPS. IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A MYTURN GRANT, AN ALS FAMILY FILLS OUT AN APPLICATION FOR REVIEW BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. IF THE APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED, WE WILL WORK WITH CARELINC MEDICAL TO FULFILL THE REQUEST. ONCE TEH FAMILIES NO LONGER NEED THE MODULAR RAMP, IT IS RETURNED SO WE CAN LOAN IT TO ANOTHER FAMILY IN NEED.
  4. $175,108 spent. EXPENSES ALLOCATED TO OTHER

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 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 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 August 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 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.