Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc., known as MS Focus, is a public charity based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Founded in 1986, it provides programs and support services for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), including assistance intended to support health, safety, independence, and well-being.
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc gave $148K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), top state California. 62% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $147,916
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +85.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,378
- -41.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,000
- Total assets
- $7,196,442
- -10.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (8 of 13, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (24% 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 Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The website provides program application options for individual assistance. Applicants for emergency rent or utility help must provide documentation of need, authorization for the program coordinator to communicate with the party owed, and verification of an MS diagnosis; the current notice requirement and $400 request limit also apply. The Healthcare Assistance Grant page provides online and print application options.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6520 North Andrews Avenue, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (954) 776-6805
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc
Assistive Technology Program
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Healthcare Assistance Grant
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Transportation Assistance Grant
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was We Are Ill Incorporated ($20K). Together the top 10 received $125K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 20 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s individual programs are described as serving people with MS in the United States. Its 2024 organizational grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares by recipient state were California (24%), Ohio (14%), Kentucky (12%), Massachusetts (10%), and New York (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 13 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $136K (2023) to $148K (2024). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $148K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| We Are Ill Incorporated Los Angeles, CA | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $20,000 |
| Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $17,667 |
| The Boston Home Boston, MA | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $15,000 |
| Mercy Foundation Rancho Cordova, CA | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $15,000 |
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $12,917 |
| Independence Care System Brooklyn, NY | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $11,667 |
| Ms Achievement Center Kansas City, KS | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $9,000 |
| Miami Valley Hospital Foundation Dayton, OH | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $8,379 |
| Push to Walk Oakland, NJ | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $8,367 |
| The League for People with Disabilities Baltimore, MD | Quality of Life & Research Grant | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing identifies the organization’s filing type as Form 990 (a public charity). The foundation’s website says it is supported primarily by individual donations and pledges, along with corporate grants, fundraisers, and charitable bequests, and that it does not receive government support.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,196,442 | $4,099,891 | $5,042,557 | $147,916 | 13 | $198,678 |
| 2023 | $8,031,675 | $4,835,550 | $5,249,943 | $136,009 | 7 | $58,324 |
| 2022 | $8,276,716 | $3,486,678 | $5,352,083 | — | — | $63,727 |
| 2021 | $9,512,588 | $5,647,701 | $5,035,161 | — | — | $117,677 |
| 2020 | $9,529,868 | $5,209,362 | $5,569,371 | — | — | $143,809 |
| 2019 | $9,230,843 | $8,716,539 | $7,354,387 | $143,402 | 12 | $122,815 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to provide programs and support services that help people affected by MS maintain their health, safety, self-sufficiency, and personal well-being, while raising public awareness and promoting understanding of MS.
Its programs address needs including homecare and caregiver respite, healthcare access for uninsured people, emergency rent or utility assistance, assistive technology, computers, cooling equipment, transportation, and wellness. The foundation’s website says its programs and services are provided free of charge. Its 2024 filing describes its Home Care Assistance Grant as supporting services such as short-term home care, adult day care, caregiver respite, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
The 2024 filing reports grants to organizations for “Quality of Life & Research Grant” purposes. Examples include The Boston Home, whose stated mission is to improve the lives of adults with advanced MS and other neurological disorders, and MS – Just Keep Moving, which says it provides people with MS and their loved ones a free facility, exercise programs, education, and emotional support. Other recipients describe missions centered on disability independence, rehabilitation, healthcare, and community support.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $147,916. Grant amounts ranged from $7,419 to $20,000, with a median of $9,000. The reported totals were $136,009 across 7 grants in 2023 and no grants in 2022.
Notable 2024 awards included $20,000 to We Are Ill Incorporated; $17,667 to Western Kentucky University; $15,000 each to The Boston Home and Mercy Foundation; $12,917 to The Ohio State University; and $11,667 to Independence Care System. The filing identifies the purpose of these awards as “Quality of Life & Research Grant.” Other reported recipients included MS Achievement Center ($9,000), Miami Valley Hospital Foundation ($8,379), Push to Walk ($8,367), The League for People with Disabilities ($7,500), MS Dream Center RI Inc ($7,500), Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network ($7,500), and MS – Just Keep Moving ($7,419).
The foundation’s website lists its Assistive Technology, Transportation Assistance, and Healthcare Assistance programs as currently open. These programs are for individuals with MS; the Healthcare Assistance Grant is for uninsured individuals. The website says that grant assistance for a healthcare visit is paid directly to the provider. Its Emergency Assistance Grant page describes one-time assistance for urgent rent or utility needs, subject to documentation of need and MS diagnosis. That page states that, because of limited funding, applications are currently limited to people with a final eviction or service-disconnection notice, and requests over $400 will not be considered. It also says mortgage assistance is not provided and medication copay assistance is suspended.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charles Eader as president and director; Mark Shalloway as vice president and director; John Blackstock as secretary and director; and Elaine Laflamme as treasurer and director. It also lists Melody Ridley, Courtney Cox, and Darcell Streeter as directors, and Karen Minnis and Natalie Blake as co-executive directors.
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc is led by Karen Minnis, Co-Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Karen Minnis
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$106K (2022) → $133K (2024)
Natalie Blake
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$100K (2022) → $130K (2024)
Charles Eader
President - Director
Vice President & Treasurer - Director → President - Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elaine Laflamme
Treasurer - Director
Director → Treasurer - Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Blackstock
Secretary - Director
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Cox
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melody Ridley
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darcell Streeter
Director
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Shalloway
Vice President - Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: William Sheehan (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Gregory Stein (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Alan Segaloff (2019–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Eric Schenck (2019–2021) — President - Director
- Former: G. Mark Shalloway (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $133K, to Karen Minnis (Co-Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc
How much does Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc give each year?
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc gave $148K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $136K across 7 grants.
What is Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $9,000, and its average grant was $11,378, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc that year got $10K on average.
Where does Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc give grants?
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's top state is California, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Ohio (14%) and Kentucky (12%).
Does Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Quality of Life & Research Grant" (13 grants).
Who are Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include We Are Ill Incorporated ($20,000), Western Kentucky University ($17,667) and The Boston Home ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc?
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc reported $7.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.1M.
What does Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to provide programs and support services that help people affected by MS maintain their health, safety, self-sufficiency, and personal well-being, while raising public awareness and promoting understanding of MS. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc?
The website provides program application options for individual assistance. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's EIN?
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2792934. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/multiple-sclerosis-foundation-inc-morg_53e33e5fadec4774804e9c35afea10b6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_592792934_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/multiple-sclerosis-foundation-inc-morg_53e33e5fadec4774804e9c35afea10b6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc'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.
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?