Miles for Migraine logo

Miles for Migraine

Public charity · Grantmaker Jericho, VT EIN: 01-0910791 Website

Miles for Migraine is a public charity based in Jericho, Vermont. Founded in 2008, it supports people with migraine and headache disorders through fellowship funding, research, education, awareness, and patient and family programs.

Miles for Migraine at a glance

In short: Miles for Migraine gave $134K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), top state Pennsylvania. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$133,950
-72.1% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
14
-53.3% vs 2023
Average grant
$9,568
-40.2% vs 2023
Median grant
$7,429
Total assets
$1,165,076
-10.6% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Miles for Migraine

Contact

Mailing address: 16 Cilley Hill Road, Jericho, VT 05465
Phone: (215) 880-1150
Website: https://milesformigraine.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Miles for Migraine funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Jefferson Headache Center: $31KJefferson Headache Center$31KDiamond Headache Clinic: $17KDiamond Headache Clinic$17KWest Virginia University Foundation: $11KWest Virginia UniversityFoundation$11KMedical College of Wisconsin: $8KMedical College of Wisconsin$8KMount Sinai Health System: $8KMount Sinai Health System$8KWake Forest Baptist Medical Center: $8KWake Forest Baptist MedicalCenter$8KUniversity of Miami: $8KUniversity of Miami$8KMedstar Georgetown Neurology: $7KMedstar Georgetown Neurology$7KMayo Clinic: $6KMayo Clinic$6KUsfc Headache Center: $6KUsfc Headache Center$6K

The largest 2024 recipient was Jefferson Headache Center ($31K). Together the top 10 received $111K.

Grant Size Distribution

128 grants across all recorded years

125<$50K3$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 125 grants of 128 (98%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Miles for Migraine says it holds events in select U.S. cities and chooses event locations based on cities with headache fellowship training programs. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states and Washington, D.C. Among the reported grant dollars, Pennsylvania accounted for 28%, Illinois 12%, West Virginia 8%, Wisconsin 6%, and New York 6%.

Grant Distribution by State

22states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.

Cities

PhiladelphiaPhoenixAuroraSan FranciscoWest HartfordBurlingtonMorgantownSalt Lake CityWashingtonWinston-SalemChicagoLa JollaLos AngelesMiamiNew YorkTampaBostonClevelandDallasDenver

Is Miles for Migraine open to new grantees?

7%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $9K. How we count

Medians: $17K first-time, $7K repeat.

  • 93% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 79% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$200K$400K$600K$800K27 grants2020 28 grants2021 29 grants2022 30 grants2023 14 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $134K (2024) to $643K (2021). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $134K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jefferson Headache Center Philadelphia, PAResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$31,040
Diamond Headache Clinic Chicago, ILResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$16,632
West Virginia University Foundation Morgantown, WVResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$11,078
Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$8,356
Mount Sinai Health System New York, NYResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$8,288
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Winston-Salem, NCResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$7,842
University of Miami Miami, FLResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$7,684
Medstar Georgetown Neurology Washington, DCResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$7,174
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, AZResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$6,269
Usfc Headache Center San Francisco, CAResearch for a Cure for Migraine Headaches$6,198
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Miles for Migraine?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$1,165,076$1,834,186$1,687,299$133,95014$17,114
2023$1,303,813$1,647,652$1,832,939$480,15130$47,443
2022$1,559,952$1,808,503$1,893,141$573,23529$10,354
2021$2,141,293$1,761,144$1,597,651$643,49728$503
2020$2,444,574$3,026,284$2,461,546$538,87427$11,630

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Miles for Migraine’s stated mission is to improve the lives of people with migraine and their families, raise public awareness about headache disorders, and help find a cure for migraines. Its website says its broader aim includes funding fellowship programs to address the shortage of headache specialists and building supportive communities through patient-participatory programs and events.

Its reported grants support hospitals, headache centers, and fellowship programs for migraine and headache research, education, and training. The organization reports that fellows’ programs use its grants for research initiatives, education, and salaries. Among the grantees, the WVU Foundation describes its mission as enriching the lives of people connected with West Virginia University through charitable support and services to the university and its affiliates. Mount Sinai Health System describes its mission as providing coordinated, compassionate care and advancing medicine through education, research, and outreach. The University of Miami’s mission is not described in the available information.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, Miles for Migraine reported 14 grants totaling $133,950. Grant amounts ranged from $5,691 to $31,040, with a median of $7,429. Its largest reported grants included Jefferson Headache Center ($31,040), Diamond Headache Clinic ($16,632), West Virginia University Foundation ($11,078), Medical College of Wisconsin ($8,356), and Mount Sinai Health System ($8,288). The listed grant purposes were research for a cure for migraine headaches.

The organization separately reported awarding $184,849 to headache fellowship programs in 2024. That figure differs from the $133,950 total for the 14 grants itemized in the 2024 filing.

The website describes fundraising through local walk/run events and says donations support the headache fellowship program in the city where an event is held.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Shirley Kessel as executive director; William Young as president; Kenneth Jones as senior vice president; and Vincent Rogusky, Nina Riggins, Michele Vargas, and Eileen Jones as directors.

Miles for Migraine is led by Shirley Kessel, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Shirley Kessel

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $86K (2020) → $149K (2024)

  • William Young

    President

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Eileen Jones

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michele Vargas

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nina Riggins

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Vincent Rogusky

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kenneth Jones

    Senior Vice President

    Treasurer → Senior Vice President, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (5)
  • Former: Virginia Valenze (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Kerry Knievel (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Courtney Iser (2021) — Director
  • Former: Karissa Arca (2020) — Director
  • Former: Vince Rogusky (2020) — Treasurer

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Shirley Kessel — Executive Director: $149KShirley KesselExecutive Director$149K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $149K, to Shirley Kessel (Executive Director).

Frequently asked questions about Miles for Migraine

How much does Miles for Migraine give each year?

Miles for Migraine gave $134K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $480K across 30 grants.

What is Miles for Migraine's typical grant size?

Miles for Migraine's median grant in 2024 was $7,429, and its average grant was $9,568, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Miles for Migraine that year got $17K on average.

Where does Miles for Migraine give grants?

Miles for Migraine's top state is Pennsylvania, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Illinois (12%) and West Virginia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (2 grants).

Does Miles for Migraine give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Miles for Migraine's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research for a Cure for Migraine Headaches" (14 grants).

Who are Miles for Migraine's largest grantees?

Miles for Migraine's largest 2024 grantees include Jefferson Headache Center ($31,040), Diamond Headache Clinic ($16,632) and West Virginia University Foundation ($11,078), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Miles for Migraine?

Miles for Migraine reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.

What does Miles for Migraine fund?

Miles for Migraine’s stated mission is to improve the lives of people with migraine and their families, raise public awareness about headache disorders, and help find a cure for migraines. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Miles for Migraine?

Miles for Migraine has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check milesformigraine.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Miles for Migraine's EIN?

Miles for Migraine's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0910791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 28, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 2, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 8, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 17, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 1, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Miles for Migraine's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Vermont

American Cancer Society Inc

Atlanta, GA

The American Cancer Society funds cancer research, patient support, and advocacy, including grants to researchers, institutions, and related organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,648 to $9.6 million, with a median of $15,000; research funding supports institutions across the United States. It accepts applications for specific research programs through ProposalCentral, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.

Assets

$1.7B

Grants

509

Total Given

$23.1M

National Life Group Charitable

Montpelier, VT

National Life Group Charitable primarily funds programs addressing childhood hunger and children’s mental health, with secondary support for community development, especially in central and northern Vermont and the Dallas, Texas area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $20 to $125,000, with a median of $1,040. It accepts online grant applications from January 1 through March 31; sponsorship requests are accepted year-round beginning in January, subject to available funds.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$27.4M

Grants

757

Total Given

$2.7M

The Vermont Community Foundation

Middlebury, VT

The Vermont Community Foundation funds nonprofits working on economic equity, education, health, climate, democracy, and community resilience, with a focus on Vermont communities. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $18,000, though giving varied widely; some programs list awards from $250 to $25,000. RALI is invitation-only, and the Paul Post Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis; the profile does not state whether other programs accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$370.6M

Grants

728

Total Given

$46.3M

Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc

South Burlington, VT

It funds grassroots organizing for progressive social and environmental change nationally, as well as community programs in Vermont. In 2024, grants ranged from $26 to $295,000, with a $2,000 median; active Vermont Community Action Team grants are generally under $2,000. The national grassroots program is closed and not accepting applications; Vermont Community Action Team accepts online applications year-round.

Assets

$9.2M

Grants

448

Total Given

$4.2M

World Learning Inc

Brattleboro, VT

World Learning funds education, international development and exchange, including participant exchanges, study abroad, youth programs, refugee resettlement, scholarships, and related projects. In 2025 it made 127 grants ranging from $5,049 to $1,213,955, with a median of $20,901; its programs reach 162 countries, while reported grants went to recipients across multiple U.S. states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Assets

$72.0M

Grants

127

Total Given

$5.3M

The Windham Foundation Inc

Grafton, VT

The Windham Foundation funds Vermont nonprofits working on rural economic development, food security, conservation, arts and learning, historic preservation, and community wellness; it also offers small grants for Grafton-area projects. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $40,205, with a median of $2,300. It accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations through its online process.

Assets

$17.3M

Grants

124

Total Given

$393K

More similar funders

More Funders in Vermont

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Miles for Migraine funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/miles-for-migraine-morg_b375e10cba8e4e8f9e2f15dd0348d29c

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010910791_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Miles for Migraine funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/miles-for-migraine-morg_b375e10cba8e4e8f9e2f15dd0348d29c},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Miles for Migraine's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

Miles for Migraine down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?