National Stem Cell Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 35.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 61%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $100,000, ceo
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 80% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 35.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 84% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 63% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 253 of 5 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 (2)
- $1.9 million spent. Accomplishments include development of a collaborative project between funded researchers on both coasts for a first-in-kind study of neurodegeneration on the international space station (ISS), the co-funding of advanced pet scan technology research with the National MS Society, and the design and development of a digital library of stem project-based science lessons made available free of charge for teachers, students and parents worldwide. Through a fund established at the Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy (PTCT) Program at Duke University, NSCF helps cover insurance deductibles and co-pays for children medically eligible to participate in potentially life-saving clinical trials for rare diseases when those out-of-pocket costs are beyond a family's means. Children from all over the United States and around the world travel to PTCT for access to clinical trials for rare, disabling and fatal diseases. These are children with no other treatment options and limited financial resources. NSCF founded and underwrites the National Stem Scholar Program for middle school science teachers inspiring the next generation of stem pioneers nationwide. NSCF partners with the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University to provide advanced stem training, national network building, "big idea" project support and yearlong mentoring for science teachers motivating students at the tipping point of lifelong science interest - middle school. There are currently 90 National Stem Scholars in 34 states impacting an estimated 160,000 middle school students in the United States by June 2025.
- NSCF funds adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research, connects children with limited resources to clinical trials for rare diseases, and underwrites a professional development program for middle school science teachers inspiring the next generation of stem pioneers nationwide.
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 September 2005.
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.