Donation FAQ

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SMA Foundation Donation Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What percentage of my donation goes toward research for SMA?
100% of every dollar received is used to fund activities focused on finding a treatment or cure for SMA.  All operational costs of the Foundation are covered through a pledge by a private donor.
 
2.  How much money has the Foundation given to research?
Since the SMA Foundation’s inception in 2003, we have funded over 60 million dollars in research programs to find a therapeutic treatment for SMA.  For more information on the Foundation’s efforts, please see our most recent Annual Report here.

3.  What are my payment options?
Credit card donations are accepted online here with a Visa or MasterCard. Please note that, due to costs associated with online transactions, there is a $50 donation minimum. Check or cash donations (with no minimum and no transaction fees associated) can be sent via postal mail to:

SMA Foundation
888 Seventh Ave., Suite 400
New York, NY 10019

4.  Can I make a donation as a gift in honor or in memory of someone?
Yes.  We will be happy to send a letter notifying the individual or family that your donation has been made in honor or in memory of them.   It is Foundation policy not to reveal the memorial amount unless otherwise indicated by the donor.   

5.  Why didn’t my donation go through?
If you received an error message after completing your transaction, it is likely that the information provided, such as the expiration date or your zip code, did not match exactly with what is on file with your credit card company.  Please double check all information and try again.  If you need further assistance, contact us by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 646-253-7100.

6.  Does the SMA Foundation issue tax receipts?
Yes.  Gift acknowledgement letters contain language needed to meet IRS requirements and can be used as tax receipts for donors.  If you donate using our online system, an automatically generated receipt will go to the email address you have entered.  If donating by check, you will receive a gift acknowledgement via postal mail in 5 – 7 business days.  

7.  Is the SMA Foundation a nonprofit organization?
Yes.  The SMA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity as designated by the Internal Revenue Service .  When you contribute to the Foundation, you will receive a gift acknowledgement notice containing the language needed to meet IRS requirements for donations.  

8.  I am interested in a fundraising event; what kind of help is available?
We appreciate all efforts to support the Foundation and FirstGiving.com is a source of ideas, tools, and support for individual fundraisers, with 92.5% of the funds you raise through FirstGiving.com going to the Foundation.  Ideas for fundraising include: start a letter writing campaign, collect donations in honor or in memory of a loved one, host a pancake breakfast, or maybe run a marathon to raise funds for the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation

Given our dedication to our mission to find a therapeutic treatment for SMA as quickly as possible, we hope you understand that Foundation limited resources are committed to building alliances between academia, government, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.