Rare by Design Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Rare by Design's primary purpose is creating awareness, inclusion and representation for individuals with rare diseases and disabilities. We work to positively support this community and their families.
- Income
- $111,998
- Spending
- $72,970
- Reserves
- 23.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (4)
- $61,974 spent. The Style Show: A Runway to Empower supports the efforts of Rare by Design by demonstrating what true diversity looks like in our community and giving voice to all through representation. 252 people attended this event, where we featured models of various abilities, ages, genders (LGBTQIA), races and diverse body types. The Style Show: A Runway to Empower is an evening to raise awareness and financial support for Rare by Design.
- Refocus was an art exhibit featuring photography of individuals with visible disabilities. The core mission of Refocus was to bridge the gap between initial perceptions and the rich human experiences that lie beneath visible disabilities. People with visible disabilities often face immediate assumptions and judgments due to their conditions, a reality they cannot conceal. We challenged these preconceived notions through the powerful medium of photography, with the aim of telling unique stories, dismantling stigmas and challenging misconceptions. 150 people attended this exhibit over the course of a month.
- $5,263 spent. Disability Awareness Month Billboard Campaign - Rare by Design aimed to break the stigma and create exposure through our 2025 "Inclusion Is Always In" billboard campaign, utilizing visual representation. We used the billboard campaign to shine a light on the progress we have made since the signing of the American's with Disabilities Act, and normalize a future where all individuals with disabilities and rare diseases are seen, heard and valued. This billboard campaign had an estimated 186,000 impressions.
- $5,404 spent. The Film Festival was a local film festival ran by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. We sought films from all over the world to showcase the talents of people with physical and developmental disabilities and tell their stories. For films to have a chance at being screened, a person with a disability/rare disease had to have a major role in the production process either in front of or behind the camera. We accepted both short films (between 1 and 10 minutes) and feature-length films (between 10 - 30 minutes) to be screened at The Film Festival. Films could cover any subject matter and be any genre: Drama, Comedy, Documentary, etc. Anything, as long as people with disabilities/rare diseases were expressing themselves! 80 people attended this event.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.