Lupus Research Alliance
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Lupus Research Alliance meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comment
In finding that LRA meets Standard 9, which calls for an organization’s fundraising expenses to be no more than 35% of related contributions, BBB Wise Giving Alliance considered the following circumstance. According to LRA's audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended December 31, 2024, LRA’s fundraising expenses were 38% of related contributions. However, LRA’s total related contributions figure is impacted by a $30 million multi-year grant. Accounting rules require that the entirety of such a grant be reported only in the year the grant was won. Although LRA received fundraising-related income from this grant during 2024, those payments were not reported, leading to a fundraising expense ratio for Standard 9 that does not reflect their actual related contributions received.
Stated Purpose:
"to drive the discovery and development of next generation lupus diagnostics and curative treatments through innovative research and collaborations."
Year, State Incorporated:
1999, NY
Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) reports that it strives to eliminate lupus and accelerate the discovery and development of patient-centered treatments and diagnostics through funding foundational and clinical research worldwide. The organization's clinical affiliate, Lupus Therapeutics, collaborates with biopharmaceutical partners to advance next generation treatments like T cell activators. In 2024, the organization states that it awarded 38 research grants worth nearly $13 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, Lupus Research Alliance's program expenses were:
Research: $14,619,194
Scientific programs: $14,814,000
Public policy: $571,134
Total Program Expenses: $30,004,328
Chief Executive
Albert T. Roy, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$522,768
Chair of the Board
Ira Akselrad
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, The Johnson Company
Board Size
23
Paid Staff Size
74
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events
Fundraising costs were 38% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,172,604, are donations received as a result of fundraising 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 Lupus Research Alliance's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Sublease income, net | $50,672 |
| Contributions | $7,384,454 |
| LuCIN consulting income | $1,874,491 |
| Investment income, net | $4,475,732 |
| Special events, net | $3,788,150 |
| Total Income | $17,573,499 |
Programs: 80% Fundraising: 11% Administrative: 9%
| Total Income | $17,573,499 |
| Total expenses: | $37,482,909 |
| Program expenses | $30,004,328 |
| Fundraising expenses | $4,204,298 |
| Administrative expenses | $3,274,283 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-19,909,410 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $75,313,644 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $308,341 |
| Ending Net Assets | $55,712,575 |
| Total Liabilities | $37,541,841 |
| Total Assets | $93,254,416 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to grants cancelled.
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance