Sebastianstrong Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Foundation's mission is to increase public awareness of the challenges children diagnosed with cancer face, and raise money to fund research for less toxic, more targeted treatments and cures.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $997,122
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 53%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $150,000, executive director/ board
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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 18 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 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)
- $508,409 spent. SebastianStrong Foundation's focus is on funding cutting-edge Pediatric Cancer research. We aim to fund research that focuses on less toxic and more targeted treatments and cures - from finding ways to make chemotherapy treatment less toxic and more effective, to finding ways to teach the body to fight cancer. Projects are selected through a rigorous review process by our medical advisory board. At times, projects go through more than one review cycle, as when we partner with other foundations to jointly fund a project. In those cases, projects are reviewed by scientists and doctors on more than one medical advisory board.
- $167,354 spent. SebastianStrong Foundation works to bring awareness and knowledge of childhood cancer to the general public as well as childhood cancer families through awareness, educational and volunteer activities. SebastianStrong routinely educates the general public through guest lectures/presentations at schools and community events. We provide scholarships to high school seniors pursuing STEM careers to encourage growth in the field and to feed the well of future researchers.
- $68,021 spent. SebastianStrong Foundation also participates in family/patient activities at local hospitals. We offer volunteer activities, which allow people to get involved in increasing awareness and knowledge of the cause.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.