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Portland Va Research Foundation Inc

EIN 94-3090170 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO FACILITATE AND ENHANCE THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONDUCTED AT THE VA PORTLAND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THE FOUNDATION STRIVES TO PROVIDE OUTSTANDING SUPPORT TO SCIENTISTS AND STAFF IN THEIR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING ENDEAVORS FOSTERING PROGRESS IN BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH.

Income
$8.5 million
Spending
$9.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
99
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$166,775, research chemist

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 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 (3)
  1. $7.4 million spent. RESEARCH - RESEARCH PROJECTS INCLUDING CLINICAL STUDIES THAT FOCUS ON THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS PREVALENT IN THE VETERAN POPULATION. VETERANS BENEFIT FROM ACCESS TO CUTTING EDGE PHARMACEUTICALS AND MEDICAL CARE DEVICES, AS WELL AS THE ACTUAL "HANDS ON" CARE PROVIDED AND, INDIRECTLY, FROM THE INTERACTION BETWEEN FOUNDATION STAFF AND PATIENTS.
  2. $382,265 spent. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPORT - THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES SUPPORT IN MANY OTHER WAYS, INCLUDING COVERING THE COST OF TRAINING RESEARCH PERSONNEL, UNDERWRITING BRIDGE FUNDING FOR VA INVESTIGATORS WHO ARE BETWEEN RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS, SUPPORTING TRAVEL AND REGISTRATION FEES FOR VA INVESTIGATORS TO ATTEND SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES, AND THE PROCUREMENT OF PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR RESEARCH FACILITIES.
  3. $53,869 spent. EDUCATION - THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS WORK-RELATED INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR VETERANS, INCLUDING IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES, GAINING SPECIALIZED PROFICIENCIES, AND EXPANDING THE UNDERSTANDING OF CHANGES IN PATIENT CARE. THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, ALSO INCLUDE INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING RELATED TO IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING HEALTH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 December 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 1989.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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