HAYSTACK PROJECT INC

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Cite this

Plain text HAYSTACK PROJECT INC. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2025. https://furp.org/org/haystack-project-inc-833367375. Retrieved 2026-11-07.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). HAYSTACK PROJECT INC [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2025]. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/haystack-project-inc-833367375

MLA “HAYSTACK PROJECT INC.” furp.org, tax years 2020–2025, https://furp.org/org/haystack-project-inc-833367375. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-11-07; covers tax years 2020–2025. Data: furp.org (index © the FURP Alliance; the records are public domain).

2025 · Form 990 · revenue $448K · expenses $522K · assets $328K

EIN
83-3367375
Address
637 EMERSON PL, SEVERNA PARK, MD 21146-3409
Website
WWW.HAYSTACKPROJECT.ORG
NTEE code
G01 Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (Voluntary Health Associations and Medical Disciplines) published (IRS Business Master File)
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
March 2019 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
IRS status
Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
Tax-deductible donations
Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
Foundation status
Public charity, 509(a)(2)
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

HAYSTACK PROJECT BRINGS TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS CONNECTED TO RARE AND ULTRA RARE MEDICAL CONDITIONS TO EDUCATE THEM AND ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR SELF ADVOCACY EFFORTS.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

3 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Kara Berasi CEO2023-2025 $36,000$72,000 1
Chevese Turner SECRETARY2022-2025 $0$39,000 2
Deanna Darlington (former) CEO2021 $3,000$3,000 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

15 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Christina Nyquist DIRECTOR2020-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Lynn Taylor DIRECTOR2022-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Lisa Steelman DIRECTOR2022-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Victoria Blatter DIRECTOR2022-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Susan Thornton BOARD CHAIR/2021-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Jim Caro DIRECTOR2024-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Kristen Wheeden PATIENT REP.2024-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Janet Woodcock DIRECTOR2025 1 $0 reported 1
Jenn Wappaus (former) Treasurer2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
James Caro (former) Director2020-2023 1 $0 reported 1
Marc Yale (former) Patient Representative2020-2023 1 $0 reported 1
Joseph Chirico (former) Treasurer2020-2022 3 $0 reported 1
Lisa Sheelman (former) BOARD MEMBER2021 0 $0 reported 1
Chevise Turner (former) BOARD MEMBER2021 0 $0 reported 1
Bela Sastry (former) SECRETARY2020-2021 0 $0 reported 1

People by year

2025 · 10 people listed · 1 paid, $36K · 0 employees · 9 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
KARA BERASI CEO20 $36,000$0$0 $36,0001
VICTORIA BLATTER DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
JIM CARO DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
CHRISTINA NYQUIST DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
LISA STEELMAN DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
LYNN TAYLOR DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
SUSAN THORNTON BOARD CHAIR/1 $0$0$0 $01
CHEVESE TURNER SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $02
KRISTEN WHEEDEN PATIENT REP.1 $0$0$0 $01
JANET WOODCOCK DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
2024 · 10 people listed · 1 paid, $36K · 0 employees · 9 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Kara Berasi CEO20 $36,000$0$0 $36,0001
Chevese Turner Secretary1 $0$0$0 $02
Christina Nyquist Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Lynn Taylor Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Lisa Steelman Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Victoria Blatter Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Jenn Wappaus Treasurer1 $0$0$0 $01
Susan Thornton Board Chair / Patient Representative1 $0$0$0 $01
Jim Caro Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Kristen Wheeden Patient Representative1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 10 people listed · 1 paid, $36K · 0 employees · 8 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chevese Turner Past CEO / Secretary20 $36,000$0$0 $36,0002
James Caro Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Marc Yale Patient Representative1 $0$0$0 $01
Christina Nyquist Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Lynn Taylor Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Lisa Steelman Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Victoria Blatter Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Jenn Wappaus Treasurer1 $0$0$0 $01
Susan Thornton Patient Representative1 $0$0$0 $01
Kara Berasi Current CEO5 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $3K · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chevese Turner CEO5 $3,000$0$0 $3,0002
Susan Thornton Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Victoria Blatter Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Marc Yale Boars Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Lisa Steelman Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Christina Nyquist Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Lynn Taylor Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Joseph Chirico Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 9 people listed · 1 paid, $3K · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
DEANNA DARLINGTON CEO5 $3,000$0$0 $3,0001
JAMES CARO BOARD MEMBER0 $0$0$0 $01
CHRISTINA NYQUIST BOARD MEMBER0 $0$0$0 $01
LISA SHEELMAN BOARD MEMBER0 $0$0$0 $01
SUSAN THORNTON BOARD MEMBER0 $0$0$0 $01
CHEVISE TURNER BOARD MEMBER0 $0$0$0 $01
MARC YALE BOARD MEMBER0 $0$0$0 $01
JOSEPH CHIRICO TREASURER0 $0$0$0 $01
BELA SASTRY SECRETARY0 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JAMES CARO PRESIDENT1 $0$0$0 $01
JOSEPH CHIRICO TREASURER3 $0$0$0 $01
CHRISTINA NYQUIST DIRECTOR0 $0$0$0 $01
BELA SASTRY SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
MARC YALE DIRECTOR0 $0$0$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

2025 · 2 contractors · $418K
NameLocationServicePaid
CONSILIUM STRATEGIESBALTIMORE, MDCONSULTING$282,500
CONNECT 4 STRATEGIESBETHESDA, MDCONSULTING$135,000
2024 · 2 contractors · $390K
NameLocationServicePaid
Consilium StrategiesBaltimore, MDResearch and Comment Letters$205,000
Connect 4 StrategiesBethesda, MDResearch and Comment Letters$185,000
2023 · 1 contractor · $178K
NameLocationServicePaid
Consilium StrategiesBaltimore, MDResearch and Comment Letters$177,750
2022 · 1 contractor · $143K
NameLocationServicePaid
M Kay ScanlanBaltimore, MDConsulting$142,960
2021 · 1 contractor · $143K
NameLocationServicePaid
M KAY SCANLONBALTIMORE, MDCONSULTING$142,960

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2025 · Form 990 period ending 2025-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$448,047$521,673 $328,483$328,483 $448,047$0 $36,00009
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$759,000$525,956 $402,109$402,109 $759,000$0 $36,00009
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$226,966$434,658 $174,973$174,973 $226,966$0 $36,00008
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$476,038$380,641 $382,665$382,665 $476,038$0 $60,00000
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$482,707$364,053 $287,269$287,269 $482,707$0 $3,0000-
2020 · Form 990 period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$391,539$227,161 $168,615$168,615 $145,539$246,000 -0-

Connected to

Organizations that list some of the same people on their returns (officers, directors, key employees on this organization’s latest return), and related organizations it lists on Schedule R.

Funders of this organization

1 grantor reported grants to this organization, $15,000 in all, tax years 2024 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTotal givenGrantsLatest year's amountLatest yearYears givenTypeMatchGrants
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA $15,0001 $15,0002024 2024 Public charity Exact
show

Nearby + Similar BETA

Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to

Same category: NTEE code and revenue

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
SEYMOUR PINK INCCTG01 $374,529$402,205 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
ACROMEGALY COMMUNITY INCNYG01 $362,408$267,620 PRESIDENT$108,800 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
MY TIME INCNYG01 $560,886$559,907 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS$118,138 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
ALWAYS B SMILING INCPAG01 $615,844$263,595 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
BREASTORATION INCLAG01 $261,483$192,561 PRESIDENT-AGENT$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
STOWERS POLICY INSTITUTE INCMOG01 $812,870$276,642 DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT DECEASED 3/27/25$3,206,337 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
CANCER ACTION COALITION OF VIRGINIA INCVAG01 $299,246$246,819 MEMBER-AT-LA$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
MYERS FAMILY FOUNDATION INCIAG01 $358,854$341,988 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
ARTS & MINDS INCNYG01 $336,227$357,591 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
SUWANNEE RIVER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS ASSOCIATION INCFLG01 $323,061$184,790 President/Director$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
HABILITATION INFORMATION VOCATION & EDUCATION INCKYG01 $340,605$232,331 President & CEO$34,877 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
BLESSED BE HOPE FOR THREE INCTXG01 $719,127$796,661 Chief Executive Officer$102,038 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION HEALTHCARE COALITION INCTNG01 $231,511$238,767 VICE-CHAIRPE$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
INLAND EMPIRE LIVER FOUNDATIONCAG01 $643,984$598,341 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
EPILEPSY ADVOCACY NETWORKILG01 $706,971$596,722 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$78,000 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
ANDREWS GIFTPAG01 $238,684$239,748 Board Member$16,280 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
PROGRESSIVE FAMILIAL INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS ADVOCACY AND RESOURCEKYG01 $696,612$529,691 Co-Founder Executive Director$74,132 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
SOFIES JOURNEY INCCAG01 $497,363$481,727 17141 MURPHY AVE$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
EMPOWERING EPILEPSYOHG01 $268,660$319,337 Executive Dir.$72,685 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
NR2F1 FOUNDATIONMIG01 $249,368$108,480 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
LET MY DOCTORS DECIDE ACTION NETWORKDCG01 $790,000$687,416 Secretary$24,404 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
MIND MUSIC AND MOVEMENT FOUDATION FOR NEUROLGICAL DISORDERS INCFLG01 $414,550$188,268 CEO$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
EOSINOPHILIC & RARE DISEASE COOPERATIVEMIG01 $351,488$121,072 CEO$64,566 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
EATING DISORDERS COALITION FOR RESEARCH POLICY AND ACTION INCDCG01 $665,423$638,883 President$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x
MARCO DEMENTIA RESPITEFLG01 $687,737$168,629 Chairman/Secty$0 Same NTEE code G01, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedTypeYearsWhich ones
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND $1,662,53759 21DAF sponsor2016–2024 HEALTH GLOBAL ACCESS PROJECT INCORPORATED; PROGRESSIVE FAMILIAL INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS ADVOCACY AND RESOURCE; CANNONBALL KIDS CANCER FOUNDATION INC; UNITED MSD FOUNDATION and 17 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $700,0003 3DAF sponsor2021–2021 PROGRESSIVE FAMILIAL INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS ADVOCACY AND RESOURCE; SPINAL CSF LEAK FOUNDATION; UNITED MSD FOUNDATION
WELLSPRING PHILANTROPIC FUND INC $700,0005 1Private foundation2018–2022 HEALTH GLOBAL ACCESS PROJECT INCORPORATED
BLOOMBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION INC $640,0002 1Private foundation2023–2024 COALITION FOR AMERICAS HEALTH
HENDERSON-WESSENDORFF FOUNDATION $609,7509 1Private foundation2015–2024 BLESSED BE HOPE FOR THREE INC
ANDREW W MELLON FOUNDATION $500,0002 1Private foundation2020–2022 ARTS & MINDS INC
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING $483,63035 16DAF sponsor2014–2024 TURNER SYNDROME FOUNDATION INC; RUTLEDGE CANCER FOUNDATION; KEVIN BABINGTON FOUNDATION; MARCO DEMENTIA RESPITE and 12 more
FORGOOD INC $457,39342 19DAF sponsor2014–2023 CANNONBALL KIDS CANCER FOUNDATION INC; SPINAL CSF LEAK FOUNDATION; LOWCOUNTRY AUTISM FOUNDATION INC; BLESSED BE HOPE FOR THREE INC and 15 more
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC $451,01541 17DAF sponsor2019–2025 CANNONBALL KIDS CANCER FOUNDATION INC; RARE BIRD FOUNDATION; UNITED MSD FOUNDATION; TURNER SYNDROME FOUNDATION INC and 13 more
THE NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST $325,0003 2DAF sponsor2023–2024 MY TIME INC; FISHING FOR MD FOUNDATION INC
SKYLINE FOUNDATION $280,0005 1Private foundation2020–2024 CALIFORNIA NURSE-MIDWIVES FOUNDATION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE LOWCOUNTRY INC $212,3259 1DAF sponsor2013–2024 LOWCOUNTRY AUTISM FOUNDATION INC
THE GEORGE FOUNDATION $205,7503 1Private foundation2020–2020 BLESSED BE HOPE FOR THREE INC
THE LAURIE M TISCH FOUNDATION INC $190,0004 1Private foundation2020–2024 ARTS & MINDS INC
THE JIM JACOBS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION $186,20010 1Private foundation2015–2024 ARTS & MINDS INC

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2025 · Form 990 · $521,673 spent · pay $36,000 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $479,512$479,512-- 91.9%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $36,000$36,000-- 6.9%
Payments to affiliates $1,550$1,550-- 0.3%
Fees: accounting $1,500-$1,500- 0.3%
Other (as described)WORKSHOP EXPENSES $1,269$1,269-- 0.2%
Office expenses $892-$892- 0.2%
Insurance $880$880-- 0.2%
Advertising and promotion $70$70-- 0.0%
Total$521,673100%

View the filing

2024 · Form 990 · $525,956 spent · pay $36,000 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $425,550$363,050$62,500- 80.9%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $36,000$36,000-- 6.8%
Fees: lobbying $30,000$30,000-- 5.7%
Fees: accounting $28,500-$28,500- 5.4%
Payments to affiliates $4,000$4,000-- 0.8%
Insurance $880$880-- 0.2%
Office expenses $857-$857- 0.2%
Advertising and promotion $169$169-- 0.0%
Total$525,956100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $434,658 spent · pay $36,000 · grants $500 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $343,257$282,403$60,854- 79.0%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $36,000$36,000-- 8.3%
Fees: lobbying $24,000$24,000-- 5.5%
Fees: accounting $18,000-$18,000- 4.1%
Other (as described)Books, Subscriptions References $9,284$9,284-- 2.1%
Advertising and promotion $1,419$1,419-- 0.3%
Office expenses $822-$822- 0.2%
Insurance $800$800-- 0.2%
Information technology $576$576-- 0.1%
Grants to US organizations and governments $500$500-- 0.1%
Total$434,658100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $380,641 spent · pay $60,000 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)Outsourced Consulting $187,501$187,501$0$0 49.3%
Fees: management $100,384$70,030$30,354$0 26.4%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $60,000$0$60,000- 15.8%
Fees: lobbying $20,000$20,000$0- 5.3%
Other (as described)Subscription $9,066$9,066$0- 2.4%
Other (as described)Research $1,100$1,100$0- 0.3%
Advertising and promotion $1,010-$960$50 0.3%
Insurance $800$0$800- 0.2%
Other (as described)Banking Fees $780$0$780$0 0.2%
Total$380,641100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $364,053 spent · pay $3,000 · grants $250 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)OUTSOURCED CONSULTING $223,265$223,265-- 61.3%
Fees: management $110,745$90,000$20,745- 30.4%
Fees: lobbying $20,000$20,000-- 5.5%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $3,000-$3,000- 0.8%
Information technology $2,859-$2,859- 0.8%
Advertising and promotion $1,663$600$1,063- 0.5%
Insurance $1,600-$1,600- 0.4%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES $371-$371- 0.1%
Fees: accounting $300-$300- 0.1%
Grants to US individuals $250$250-- 0.1%
Total$364,053100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990 · $227,161 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)OUTSOURCED CONSULTING $117,795$117,795-- 51.9%
Fees: management $94,127$80,000$14,127- 41.4%
Fees: lobbying $10,000$10,000-- 4.4%
Information technology $2,270-$2,270- 1.0%
Fees: other services $1,029$500$529- 0.5%
Advertising and promotion $748-$748- 0.3%
Insurance $629-$629- 0.3%
Fees: accounting $400-$400- 0.2%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES $163-$163- 0.1%
Total$227,161100%

View the filing

Federal lobbying

Lobbying Disclosure Act reports naming a client or registrant with this organization's name and state. Spent: what lobbying for it cost (firm income plus its own reported expenses). Earned: income it reported as a lobbying firm.

YearSpentEarnedReports
20263
20254
20244
20234
20225
20215
20204
20194
20185

Issues: Health Issues

Firms hired: CONNECT 4 STRATEGIES, LLC

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