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Orlando FL | IRS ruling year: 2009 | EIN: 27-0270731
Organization Mission
TO PROVIDE UNDERINSURED PEOPLE LIVING WITH LIFE-THREATENING, CHRONIC, AND RARE DISEASES ACCESS TO CRITICAL TREATMENT THROUGH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION, AND ADV ... (More)
TO PROVIDE UNDERINSURED PEOPLE LIVING WITH LIFE-THREATENING, CHRONIC, AND RARE DISEASES ACCESS TO CRITICAL TREATMENT THROUGH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 32% Accountability & Finance, 50% Impact & Results, 7% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for The Assistance Fund (TAF) is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
The Assistance Fund (TAF) has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 7/7 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 7/7 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 4.44% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 4.44% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 96.96% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 96.96% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
No Data Available
Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (The Assistance Fund (TAF)) or EIN (270270731) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
The Assistance Fund (TAF) reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant effect on The Assistance Fund’s (TAF’s) financial structure.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
TAF’s operations and programs have been fully operational throughout the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic had no effect on TAF’s ability to deliver its programs and services.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
As the number of people infected skyrocketed, we knew the people we serve—many of whom are immunocompromised—would be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Beyond ensuring that our patients continue to receive access to their critical treatment, we wanted to make sure those who experienced job loss or furlough would not lose access to their health insurance. In April, we launched a new program for our patients who experienced a disruption in their insurance coverage due to the pandemic. The COVID-19 Health Insurance Assistance Program (COVID-HIAP) provided immediate financial support by offering grants of up to $2,500 to help them secure health insurance. Our message to patients was clear: You have TAF.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Our IT team’s careful planning and investments in digital infrastructure and cloud-based technology allowed us to avoid any disruption in service. And our best-in-class Patient Advocates continued to bring a sense of calm to our patients amid the global crisis. TAF will continue to use enhanced telecommunication systems to conduct operations.
The Assistance Fund (TAF) has earned a 100% for the Impact & Results beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot Applicable
Program
TAF Disease Programs
Activities
The nonprofit provides financial assistance to patients with medical conditions.
Program Type
Financial Assistance for Patients with Medical Conditions
Beneficiaries Served
Program Geography
Time Period of Data
1/1/21 to 12/31/21
Outcomes: Changes in the lives of those served by a nonprofit. They can be caused by the nonprofit.
Costs: The money spent by a nonprofit and its partners and beneficiaries.
Impact: Outcome caused by a nonprofit relative to its cost.
Cost-effectiveness: A judgment as to whether the cost was a good use of resources to cause the outcome.
Outcome Metric
Increase in income for a patient with medical conditions
Outcome Data Source
Ratings are based on data the nonprofit itself collects on its work. We use the most recent year with sufficient data. Typically, this data allows us to calculate direct changes in participants' lives, such as increased income.
Outcome data collected during the program. The nonprofit submitted data on the dollar value of all financial assistance provided to patients, which we use to calculate the additional income received.
Method for Attributing Outcomes
We don't know if the observed changes were caused by the nonprofit's program or something else happening at the same time (e.g., a participant got a raise). To determine causation, we take the outcomes we observe and subtract an estimate of the outcomes that would have happened even without the program (i.e., counterfactual outcomes).
We estimate the dollar amount of financial assistance attributable to the nonprofit by comparing the financial assistance given by the nonprofit to the financial assistance that would have been provided in the absence of the nonprofit (the “counterfactual”). In this case, we estimate the counterfactual to be zero based on two assumptions. First, we assume there is functionally no upper limit to the amount of cash transfers that continue to be valuable to patients as they are far from reaching the point of diminishing marginal returns, such that aid provided by one nonprofit does not displace aid provided by another. Second, we assume that nonprofits work independently and do not coordinate the provision of aid to the same patient. As a result, all aid provided by the nonprofit to patients with medical conditions can be directly attributable to the nonprofit.
Cost Data Source
After estimating the program's outcomes, we need to determine how much it cost to achieve those outcomes. All monetary costs are counted, whether they are borne by a nonprofit service deliverer or by the nonprofit’s public and private partners.
Program cost data reported by the nonprofit. Partner and beneficiary costs reported by the nonprofit or estimated by Charity Navigator.
Cost Calculation
$304,758,468 program costs + partner costs + $0 beneficiary costs = $304,758,468 total costs
We calculate impact, defined as the change in outcomes attributable to a program divided by the cost to achieve those outcomes.
Impact Calculation
$304,758,468 total costs / $290,285,128 of financial assistance provided = roughly $6,100 provides $5,800 in financial assistance to a patient.
Benchmark for Rating
Impact & Results scores of financial assistance to patients programs are based on income generated relative to cost. Programs receive an Impact & Results score of 100 if they increase income for a recipient by more than $1.50 for every $1 spent and a score of 80 if income increases by more than $0.85 for every $1 spent. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the benchmark for cost-effectiveness, it earns a score of 65.
Determination
Highly cost-effective
The Assistance Fund (TAF) reported its largest program on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
THE ASSISTANCE FUND (TAF) IS AN INDEPENDENT CHARITABLE PATIENT ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FACING HIGH MEDICAL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TH ... (More)
THE ASSISTANCE FUND (TAF) IS AN INDEPENDENT CHARITABLE PATIENT ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FACING HIGH MEDICAL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR COPAYMENTS, COINSURANCE, DEDUCTIBLES, AND OTHER HEALTH-RELATED EXPENSES. TAF ASSISTED 59,402 PATIENTS IN 2020, AN 18% INCREASE COMPARED TO 2019, WHILE ALSO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SUPPORTED DISEASE FUNDS FROM 61 IN 2019 TO 73 IN 2020. TAF'S IN-HOUSE PATIENT ADVOCATE TEAM INCREASED FROM 29 IN 2019 TO 32 IN 2020; HANDLING APPROXIMATELY 183,000 PHONE CALLS. IN APRIL, TAF LAUNCHED A NEW PROGRAM FOR OUR PATIENTS WHO EXPERIENCED A DISRUPTION IN THEIR INSURANCE COVERAGE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. THE COVID-19 HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (COVID-HIAP) PROVIDES IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY OFFERING GRANTS OF UP TO $2,500 TO HELP THEM SECURE HEALTH INSURANCE. IN JULY 2020, TAF LAUNCHED DISEASE PROGRAM WAITLISTS, WHICH ALLOW PATIENTS TO ENROLL ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS WHEN NEW FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR A DISEASE PROGRAM THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY AT CAPACITY. IN AUGUST 2020, TAF LAUNCHED THE TAF PROVIDER PORTAL, A ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR PROVIDERS TO SEE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THEIR PATIENTS, VIEW OUR FULL LIST OF DISEASE PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPANYING FDA-APPROVED TREATMENTS, AND SEND QUESTIONS OUR TEAM. TAF EXPANDED OUR REENOLLMENT SERVICE TEAM BY PARTNERING WITH THE ORLANDO-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LIGHTHOUSE WORKS, WHOSE MISSION IS TO CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. TAF LAUNCHED AN ADVOCACY INITIATIVE IN 2020 TO ENSURE PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO ALL CLINICAL CARE, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, THERAPY, AND TREATMENT THEY REQUIRE; AND TO ENSURE THEY RECEIVE SUCH AT AN OUT-POCKET COST WITHIN REACH, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. (Less)
The Assistance Fund (TAF) has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
We provide underinsured people living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases access to critical treatment through financial assistance, education, and advocacy.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Case management notes, Community meetings or town halls, Suggestion box/email
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
The PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) model provides a set of person-centered measures that evaluate and monitor physical, mental, and social health in adults and children. The model is scaled from 1-100 with 1 being the worst health, 50 being the national average, and 100 being perfect health. With a score of 38.95, TAF patients scored significantly lower than the national average in physical health, TAF’s patients scored lower in mental health as well with a score of 42.14, nearly eight points below the national average. These values demonstrate the physical and mental health challenges TAF patients face and help us better understand the challenges our patients face.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
As part of its annual patient Reenrollment process, The Assistance Fund (TAF) surveys its patients to better understand their perceived health status, the financial burden of their illness, and their ability to access care. Respondents indicated that the second two most common obstacles were “making lifestyle adjustments to accommodate their medical needs” and “finding a treatment that effectively manages their condition.”
Equity Practices - Data Available - 100/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 100/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 12 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (6/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (6/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
The Assistance Fund (TAF) has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Our mission is to provide underinsured people living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases access to critical treatment through financial assistance, education, and advocacy.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Our vision is to see the day when no person goes without treatment because of an inability to pay.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Provide assistance to more patients.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Two: Provide assistance across a broader spectrum of diseases.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Three: Meet unmet patient needs in areas beyond financial assistance.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
The Assistance Fund has a professional development program that supports staff who wish to further their professional development that increases their skills and enhances their contributions to TAF. Providing professional development to our staff is an investment in their careers and TAF's future.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Policy Advocacy
Too many patients are unable to bridge the gap between what treatment costs and what they can afford. In a 2020 survey of our patient population, patients ranked, “Affording my healthcare, including health insurance premiums, co-insurance, copays, deductibles, and medical incidentals related to provider visits, prescription drugs, and medical equipment” as the top challenge to improving their health and treating their condition. Our Washington, DC, office works tirelessly to advocate to ensure patients have access to all clinical care, diagnostic testing, therapy, and treatment they require; and to ensure they receive such at an out-of-pocket cost within reach, regardless of socioeconomic status. Patients need to be recognized and heard by policymakers. They should be at the center of decision-making that concerns them. Also, policymakers must understand the crucial role of independent charitable patient assistance organizations in securing underinsured patients’ access to treatment.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Like all nonprofits, 2020 was a challenging year for The Assistance Fund and the people we serve. COVID-19 disproportionately impacts older Americans and people living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases. Additionally, our provider community of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists was on the front lines of the healthcare crisis, keeping us safe while we stayed at home. Through the coronavirus pandemic, TAF operations remained fully operational.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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