Mission MSA
Mission MSA is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1999, it supports people living with multiple system atrophy through emotional support, education, research funding, and community-building.
Mission MSA at a glance
In short: Mission MSA gave $222K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $221,666
- +10.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +400.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,778
- -77.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $4,955,389
- -8.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Florida (51% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Mission MSA
- Contact
Mailing address: 1660 International Dr 600, Mclean, VA 22102
Phone: (866) 737-4999
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mission MSA funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Florida ($106K). Together the top 10 received $184K.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 47 (66%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states. Florida accounted for 51% of grant dollars, Illinois 10%, Virginia 7%, New York 5%, and Massachusetts 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Mission MSA gives
- Giving fell 55% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $170K (2020) to $490K (2022). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $222K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida Gainsville, FL | MSA Research | $105,869 |
| Others Under 5000 Each Chicago, IL | MSA Research | $15,627 |
| New York University New York, NY | MSA Research | $10,170 |
| Brigham and Womens Hospital Boston, MA | MSA Research | $7,500 |
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | MSA Research | $7,500 |
| Massachusetts General Hospita Boston, MS | MSA Research | $7,500 |
| Rush University Medical Cente Chicago, IL | MSA Research | $7,500 |
| University of Miami Miami, FL | MSA Research | $7,500 |
| University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC | MSA Research | $7,500 |
| University of Texas Southwest Dallas, TX | MSA Research | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Mission MSA?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,955,389 | $1,758,498 | $2,596,039 | $221,666 | 15 | $190,481 |
| 2024 | $5,394,999 | $634,393 | $1,505,219 | $200,494 | 3 | $85,600 |
| 2023 | $5,922,702 | $1,261,838 | $1,918,382 | $380,408 | 19 | $75,026 |
| 2022 | $6,293,509 | $1,466,979 | $1,913,230 | $490,000 | 5 | $72,218 |
| 2021 | $7,567,273 | $2,031,145 | $989,178 | $345,000 | 5 | $84,128 |
| 2020 | $6,647,879 | $1,435,087 | $801,470 | $169,510 | 2 | $38,259 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission MSA states that it provides trusted emotional support, education, research funding, and a sense of community for people living with multiple system atrophy, with the goals of enhancing quality of life and collaboratively building hope.
Its described programs include funding research on the cause and treatment of multiple system atrophy; patient and caregiver education and support, including an annual conference and educational materials; and materials and promotional items to raise awareness among medical and lay communities.
In 2025, Mission MSA gave research grants to universities and medical centers. The grantees’ own stated missions reflect work in education, research, scholarship, and patient care: NYU describes those as its primary missions; Emory says it creates, preserves, teaches, and applies knowledge in the service of humanity; and Rush says it integrates patient care, education, research, and community partnerships to improve health.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Mission MSA reported 15 grants totaling $221,666. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $105,869, with a median of $7,500. The largest listed grants included $105,869 to the University of Florida for MSA research and $10,170 to New York University for MSA research. Other listed recipients included Emory University, Rush University Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the University of Miami, each receiving $7,500 for MSA research.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph Lindahl as Executive Director; Liz Dyas as Chair; Dawn Rodgers-Dexter as Treasurer; and Patricia Libby Thvedt as Secretary. Directors listed are Pam Bower, Adrienne Glusman Marioles, Andre Cote Barch, Gary Troutman, William Billy Finnerty, and Prof Dr Nadia Stefanova.
Mission MSA is led by Joseph Lindahl, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph Lindahl
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$91K (2025)
Liz Dyas
Chair
Director → Chair-Elect, 2024
Chair-Elect → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Bower
Director
Secretary → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adrienne Glusman Marioles
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andre Cote Barch
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Troutman
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Billy Finnerty
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hasan Hasan
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Josh Launer
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Alivarius
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nadia Stefanova
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Cooper
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Beach
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Libby Thvedt
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Rodgers-Dexter
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Alan Smally (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Amy Wynn (2024) — Director
- Former: Cynthia Roemer (2020–2023) — Imed Past Chair
- Former: Larry Kellerman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Vikram Khurana (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Daniel Claassen (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Gregor Wenning (2022) — Director
- Former: Carol Langer CPA (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Diane Adkins Ma Mls (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Don Crouse (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Elaine Douglas (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Neil Versel (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sheila Lyons (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Vikram Khuranamd PhD (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Cathy Chapman (2021) — Director
- Former: Topher Schott (2021) — Director
- Former: Allyson Mayeux MD (2020) — Director
- Former: Hadley Ferguson (2020) — Director
- Former: Steve Klisares MBA (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $91K, to Joseph Lindahl (Executive Dir.).
Frequently asked questions about Mission MSA
How much does Mission MSA give each year?
Mission MSA gave $222K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $200K across 3 grants.
What is Mission MSA's typical grant size?
Mission MSA's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $14,778, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Mission MSA give grants?
Mission MSA gives mostly in Florida: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (10%) and Virginia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Mission MSA give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Mission MSA's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "MSA Research" (15 grants).
Who are Mission MSA's largest grantees?
Mission MSA's largest 2025 grantees include University of Florida ($105,869), Others Under 5000 Each ($15,627) and New York University ($10,170), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mission MSA?
Mission MSA reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
What does Mission MSA fund?
Mission MSA states that it provides trusted emotional support, education, research funding, and a sense of community for people living with multiple system atrophy, with the goals of enhancing quality of life and collaboratively building hope. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mission MSA?
Mission MSA has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Mission MSA's EIN?
Mission MSA's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2926378. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 25, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Mission MSA funds
Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mission MSA's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University primarily funds research and subcontract work for universities, hospitals, research organizations, and other organizations, across a range of academic and health-related fields. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $19.1 million, with a median of about $97,000; 41% of grant dollars went to Georgia recipients. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.9B
Grants
362
Total Given
$183.7M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health, along with research training and education programs. In 2025 it awarded 833 grants totaling about $198 million; amounts ranged from $5,000 to nearly $9.93 million, with a median of $20,000. Research awards are for eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, and the profile describes a formal proposal process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
USC’s reported grants primarily support research subawards, alongside some contributions, in areas connected to its work in education, research, health care, and public service. In 2025 it reported 337 grants, with a median of about $172,000; California received the largest share of grant dollars, though no geographic restriction is stated. The profile does not say whether USC accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$17.0B
Grants
337
Total Given
$249.4M
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assn
Arlington, VA
The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association funds ALS research, care services, clinics, assistive technology, education, and advocacy, with grants awarded to organizations across the United States. In 2025, grants ranged from $6,750 to $250,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts applications through specific programs: research applicants submit a letter of intent, and full proposals are by invitation; clinic programs have separate application processes.
Assets
$100.4M
Grants
185
Total Given
$11.9M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mission MSA funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mission-msa-morg_f125c2233210483fb1265f173556a277
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742926378_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mission MSA funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mission-msa-morg_f125c2233210483fb1265f173556a277},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Mission MSA'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.
Mission MSA down — hundreds of funders to go?