Your donation attempt encountered a problem. Please refresh the page to try again.
You're faster than our page! Give the page a little longer to finish loading and try your donation again.
1170 OLD HENDERSON RD STE 221
COLUMBUS OH 43220-7602
COLUMBUS OH | IRS ruling year: 1990 | EIN: 31-1235704
LEADING THE FIGHT TO TREAT AND CURE ALS THROUGH GLOBAL RESEARCH AND NATIONWIDE ADVOCACY WHILE ALSO EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ... (More)
LEADING THE FIGHT TO TREAT AND CURE ALS THROUGH GLOBAL RESEARCH AND NATIONWIDE ADVOCACY WHILE ALSO EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE AND THEIR FAMILIES TO LIVE FULLER LIVES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH COMPASSIONATE CARE AND SUPPORT. (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: 90% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability. 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 As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations.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.
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION 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 2021, 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 - 1.81% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 1.81% - 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 - 76.31% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 76.31% - 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
Activities:
Discussion groups, forums, panels lectures, etc. (BMF activity code: 123)
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:
Subordinate - the organization is a subordinate in a group ruling. (BMF affiliation code: 9)
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 (AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION) or EIN (311235704) 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.
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Grants Received
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
All in-person fundraising events were suspended for 2+ years including the three Walk to Defeat ALS events, which typically provide 70-75% of chapter revenue each year. The chapter's sole source of revenue is charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and local foundations. Donor support remained strong at the outset of the pandemic, but eventually waned without the momentum of events. Event revenue in the year prior to the pandemic was $944,000; last year it was $533,000. Even while donations were down, program services remained intact for all patients and families.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
All in-person events were suspended for 2+ years including support groups for patients, caregivers and survivors and the education and exchange groups for ongoing disease-specific education. All groups were made virtual, resulting in lower attendance. Our Care Services Coordinators were not allowed to attend the ALS multidisciplinary clinics at OhioHealth and University of Cincinnati (per hospital pandemic guidelines), where they would have provided support services to clinic staff and case management for patients. Without clinic visits (which reopened to our staff in 2022), Care Services Coordinators relied heavily on phone and email to monitor patients' evolving needs, which is not always as effective as in-person visits. The number of patients referred to our chapter also increased as the pandemic eased and people were comfortable visiting the doctor again. We just hired an additional part-time care services coordinator to help with increased patient caseload in the Cincinnati area.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
The chapter pivoted to online group meetings, increased phone and email communication with patients, and alternative communication with clinic staff. Masks were required in the chapter office and for all patient in-person interactions (while distributing loaned equipment, for example). All loaned equipment goes through a rigorous cleaning and disinfecting process upon intake and prior to distribution, and this process was enhanced further for the safety of our patients and staff. In fundraising, the chapter converted from in-person Walk to Defeat ALS events to "Walk Your Way" events, where people could fundraise for their teams as usual, however they were encouraged to walk in their own neighborhoods or parks instead of gathering for a large event.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We continue to offer a hybrid model for support groups and the education and exchange groups so that individuals can choose to participate in person or online. Board meetings have also been online throughout the pandemic, and this is likely to continue. For fundraising, even though our Walks could not be held in-person during the pandemic we still held Walk fundraising with the option to "Walk Your Way," where people could walk in their own neighborhoods or community parks rather than gathering together by the hundreds. The Walks returned in September 2022 with the option for people to still "Walk Your Way" if they were uncomfortable attending in person. This option is also likely to continue.
Not Currently Scored
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION reported its three largest programs on its FY 2021 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
PATIENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT: THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OHIO CHAPTER PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) OR LOU GE ... (More)
PATIENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT: THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OHIO CHAPTER PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) OR LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE AND TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT BY MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHO ASSIST PATIENTS, SPOUSES, AND CAREGIVERS IN KNOWING HOW TO PREPARE AND DEAL WITH VARIOUS ASPECTS (PHYSICAL, PSYCHO- SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL) OF BEING DIAGNOSED WITH THIS DEVASTATING, TERMINAL ILLNESS. IN ADDITION, THE CHAPTER PROVIDES EQUIPMENT LOANS, MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS, STAFFING AND PARTNERING WITH ALS CLINICS (OHIOHEALTH IN COLUMBUS AND UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI-DRAKE), A PATIENT GRANT PROGRAM AND CHILDREN'S ALS RESOURCES. ALL OF THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED, FREE OF CHARGE. DURING THIS PERIOD, OVER 482 PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS WERE SERVED; 1,094 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED TEN MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS; THERE WERE 77 IN HOME/IN OFFICE PATIENT VISITS; 94 CHILD AND TEEN BACKPACKS PROVIDED; 305 PATIENT VISITS TO 2 MULTIDISCIPLINARY ALS CLINICS, AND MORE THAN 530 OF OVER 1,500 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT LOANED OUT. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020, THE CHAPTER WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ITS PATIENT GRANT PROGRAM. TOTAL GRANTS PROVIDED EQUALED 156,218, AND GAVE MUCH NEEDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO 169 PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS. GRANTS ARE AWARDED BASED UPON ELIGIBILITY APPLICATIONS THAT ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY CHAPTER STAFF. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
PUBLIC AWARENESS: THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OHIO CHAPTER PROVIDES IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS SO THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED TO CARE FOR ALS PATIENTS. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS SP ... (More)
PUBLIC AWARENESS: THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OHIO CHAPTER PROVIDES IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS SO THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED TO CARE FOR ALS PATIENTS. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS SPEAK TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOL GROUPS, AND THE G (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH: THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OHIO CHAPTER SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF OUR NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO FUND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH GRANTS TO DOCTORS/SCIENTISTS TO FIND THE CAUSE ... (More)
ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH: THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OHIO CHAPTER SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF OUR NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO FUND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH GRANTS TO DOCTORS/SCIENTISTS TO FIND THE CAUSE AND CURE FOR ALS. IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT, THE (Less)
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION cannot currently be evaluated by our Culture & Community methodology because we have not received data from the charity regarding its Constituent Feedback or Equity Practices strategies.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION 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
To discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
To create a world without ALS.
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: Increase the Chapter's capacity for growing patient caseloads by expanding access to loaned equipment, reimbursement grants, and expert case management services.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Upgrade fundraising and event systems and the website platform to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and expansion.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Collaborate with the Northern Ohio Chapter through the engagement of a lobbying firm to obtain chapter funding from the State of Ohio.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Executive Director and the Director of Philanthropy are members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Both attend virtual or in-person leadership conferences available from The ALS Association National Office. The Director of Philanthropy is also a member of the Central Ohio Planned Giving Council. The Care Services Director attends virtual or in-person care services leadership training from The ALS Association National Office.
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.
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Policy Advocacy
The Chapter's Care Services Director is a presenter at the annual ALS Symposium at OhioHealth. The Chapter holds three annual awareness events called Strike Out ALS with Major and Minor League Baseball teams, and seeks out opportunities for awareness all year long - including ALS Awareness Month (May). Chapter staff are expanding outreach to a greater number of corporations in the private sector for fundraising opportunities. The Chapter is heavily involved in both state and federal advocacy. State advocacy is focused on obtaining funding for the chapter. Federal advocacy work is done in partnership with our National Office to further the Association's public policy objectives.
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.
After the turmoil of 2020, we thought that 2021 would have fewer external challenges for the organization. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In 2022, COVID has continued to plague our programs and fundraising, and the economy is worse now than in the past two years. But, due to nimble and effective leadership we’ve not had to reduce patient services…in fact, we’ve added to them. This past year, our organization has become better at continuing to learn and adapt. We’ve learned to pivot quickly when things don’t work as expected. When the answers are no longer black and white, we’ve become comfortable working in the gray areas. We’ve made it a regular practice to come together to brainstorm to find new ways to provide services. And we’ve become adept at the cycle of planning, implementing, evaluating – and adapting. All with donor generosity as our only source of revenue. It’s only because of our careful stewardship of these donor dollars over the years that we have been able to weather the storm of COVID-19 in ways that other nonprofits could not. Our reserves, created from a generous estate gift in 2012 and enhanced with increased giving after the Ice Bucket Challenge, continue to build over time. Today, those reserves are putting money back in the pockets of our patients. This past year our Quality of Life Reimbursement Grant, which provides patients with annual reimbursements for disease-related expenses, has increased from $1,000 per person to $1,200. We’ve also added a program for patients to access free smart home technology, and we are adding a new part-time care services coordinator in October 2022.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
