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Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association
Address:	27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250
	Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104
Phone:	818-880-9007 800-782-4747
Web Address:	www.alsa.org

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA) meets the 20Standards for Charity Accountability.

ALSA awards grants to physicians and scientists at universities, hospitals, and other institutions to determine the cause, find a cure, and develop treatments for ALS. ALSA also holds workshops on topics related to ALS to bring researchers and investigators together to exchange information on progress in research and treatment methodologies. With over thirty subject areas, fact sheets distributed by ALSA address issues such as minimizing fatigue, nursing care, slurring of speech, breathing difficulties, and feeding tubes and nutrition. ALSA offers information on the ailment, coping, managing symptoms to maximize function, and aspects to consider in making the complex decisions involved with the disease designed for people living with ALS and their families. ALSA Centers are clinics certified by the Association that, in addition to meeting established clinical and academic criteria, have experience with ALS, equipment and facilities for performing neurological diagnostics and imaging, and available on-site ancillary services. ALSA also offers referrals for clinical and social services for patients, family members, and health care professionals. ALSA reports providing patient support services through 33 Certified Centers, about 30 clinics, and two free standing ALS support groups nationwide. The organization pursues advocacy nationally, regionally and through a Washington, DC based government relations office.

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, ALSA's program expenses were:

Research grants	7,597,762
Patient and community services	4,561,652
Public and professional education	2,482,048
Total Program Expenses:	$14,641,462

Chief Executive : Gary Leo, President and CEO

Compensation*:

$342,694

Chair of the Board: Allen L. Finkelstein
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Attorney

Board Size: 29

Paid Staff Size: 60

*February 1, 2007 - January 31, 2008 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, television, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, and cause-related marketing

Fund raising costs were 30% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $8,956,491 are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on ALSA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008:

Source of Funds
Contributions	8,205,562
Chapters	5,744,563
Bequests	578,460
Interest income	428,296
Federated campaigns	172,469
Other income	124,452
Gain on beneficial interest in trusts	32,345
Realized/unrealized loss on securities	-27,129
Change in value of split-interest agreements	-102,122
Total Income	$15,156,896

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 77%  Fund Raising: 14%  Administrative: 9%

Total income				$15,156,896
	Program expenses			$14,641,462
	Fund raising expenses			2,672,055
	Administrative expenses			1,681,317
Total expenses				$18,994,834
Expenses in Excess of Income				(3,837,938)
Beginning net assets				15,540,247
Ending net assets				11,702,309
Total liabilities				5,979,320
Total assets				$17,681,629

Note: According to ALSA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, the organization received $314,781 in in-kind donations including organizational studies ($305,960), lap tops for communication devices ($7,672), and handbooks ($1,149).