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Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation

EIN 85-0837155 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RYAN SHAZIER FUND FOR SPINAL REHABILITATION AIMS TO GIVE THOSE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THE SUPPORT, RESOURCES AND FUNDING THEY NEED TO LIVE INDEPENDENT AND MEANINGFUL LIVES.

Income
$966,411
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
5
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$86,946, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    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 June 30, 2025, 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. $616,066 spent. EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THROUGH DIRECT SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: DURING THE 20242025 FISCAL YEAR, THE RYAN SHAZIER FUND FOR SPINAL REHABILITATION ADVANCED ITS MISSION TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES (SCI) AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT, PERSONAL CONNECTION, AND COMMUNITY- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH THE GOLDEN WINDOW PROGRAM, THE FUND AWARDED 358,889 IN VENDOR SUPPORT TO 35 INDIVIDUALS, ENABLING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT SUCH AS HOME MODIFICATIONS, ADAPTIVE VEHICLES, DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AND ADDITIONAL REHABILITATION SESSIONS. THE FUND ALSO FACILITATED RYAN TIME, A UNIQUE INITIATIVE WHERE INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI AND THEIR FAMILIES ENGAGED IN ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS WITH RYAN SHAZIER, FOSTERING HOPE AND EMOTIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUND ORGANIZED OVER 20 EVENTSINCLUDING ADAPTIVE SPORTS, PROFESSIONAL SPORTING OUTINGS, AND AN ACCESSIBLE FAMILY RETREATOFFERING RECREATION, RESPITE, AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THROUGH DIRECT SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: DURING THE 20242025 FISCAL YEAR, THE RYAN SHAZIER FUND FOR SPINAL REHABILITATION ADVANCED ITS MISSION TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES (SCI) AND THEIR CAREGIVERS BY PROVIDING DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT, PERSONAL CONNECTION, AND COMMUNITY- BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH THE GOLDEN WINDOW PROGRAM, THE FUND AWARDED 358,889 IN VENDOR SUPPORT TO 35 INDIVIDUALS, ENABLING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT SUCH AS HOME MODIFICATIONS, ADAPTIVE VEHICLES, DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AND ADDITIONAL REHABILITATION SESSIONS. THE FUND ALSO FACILITATED RYAN TIME, A UNIQUE INITIATIVE WHERE INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI AND THEIR FAMILIES ENGAGED IN ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS WITH RYAN SHAZIER, FOSTERING HOPE AND EMOTIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUND ORGANIZED OVER 20 EVENTSINCLUDING ADAPTIVE SPORTS, PROFESSIONAL SPORTING OUTINGS, AND AN ACCESSIBLE FAMILY RETREATOFFERING RECREATION, RESPITE, AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.
  2. $317,541 spent. ADVANCING SCI SUPPORT SYSTEMS THROUGH THE SCI NETWORK: IN FISCAL YEAR 20242025, THE FUND COMPLETED PHASE II OF THE SCI NETWORK, A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE POST-INJURY CARE NAVIGATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS PHASE INCLUDED ESTABLISHING A GOVERNANCE MODEL, DEVELOPING A PARTNER HANDBOOK, CREATING A NAVIGATOR TRAINING GUIDE, AND LAUNCHING THE SCI NAVIGATOR ROLE. THE SCI NETWORK SERVES AS A CORNERSTONE RESOURCE, EQUIPPING FAMILIES WITH THE TOOLS, ADVOCACY, AND GUIDANCE NEEDED TO NAVIGATE THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND ACCESS CRITICAL SERVICES FOLLOWING A SPINAL CORD INJURY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 June 2020.

    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.