Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE HS FOUNDATION IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY HS THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 13 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 52%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $243,108, chief executive officer
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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 67% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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)
- $382,654 spent. The Ninth Annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances (SHSA) was held November 1-3, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Co-organized with the Canadian HS Foundation (CHSF), over 450 attendees from 18 countries participated in the event, including 39 patients and 65 medical students. The latest advancements in HS treatment and research were presented, including the submission of 150 abstracts.
- $347,000 spent. Over $305,000 in grant funding was provided through three HSF programs. The Danby Grant provided five grants totaling $100,000, while the Translational Grant Program provided two grants totaling $150,000. Finally, the HSF funded a Career Development Award through a partnership with the Dermatology Foundation for $55,000. The grants all fund research and researchers focused on the field of HS.
- $206,974 spent. The HS Foundation held its fourth annual educational event for dermatology residents, called HS Academy. The purpose of the event is to educate the next generation of practicing dermatologists about the latest advancements in diagnosis, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and comorbidities, as well as medical and procedure-based treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa through lecture, break-out sessions, and case-based studies with renowned experts and patient faculty. The event takes place over the course of three days and all expenses for attendees, including travel, is completely covered by the Foundation.
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 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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 November 2022.
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 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.