Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1950 and tax-exempt since July 1952, MDA is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. The organization operates in 11 countries and employs approximately 480 people.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$58.0M
-12.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.6M
+12.0% YoY
Grant Count
172
-16.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$85K
+33.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
MDA's mission is to empower people living with neuromuscular diseases to live longer, more independent lives.
The organization's primary program areas include:
Research Funding: As the largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease research outside of the federal government, MDA has committed more than $1 billion to accelerate the discovery of therapies and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases.
Clinical Care: MDA supports the largest network of multidisciplinary clinics at more than 150 top medical institutions. Each MDA care center offers comprehensive, coordinated care from an integrated multidisciplinary team of healthcare specialists.
Community Support & Education: The organization provides one-on-one specialized support, educational conferences, events, and materials for families and healthcare providers.
Grantmaking
MDA actively funds research and provides grants to advance breakthroughs across neuromuscular diseases.
Grant Range
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MDA's grantmaking priorities are primarily concentrated in California, New York, and Texas, though the organization operates nationally and internationally across 11 countries.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenues: $60,356,244
- Total Expenses: $65,965,386
- Total Assets: $57,971,496
- Employees: 269
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Revenues: $59.4 million
- Total Expenses: $62.1 million
- Total Assets: $66.6 million
- Total Liabilities: $58.2 million
Annual Revenue (General): $86.8 million (based on organizational data)
Charity Rating: MDA received a Three-Star rating from independent evaluators, with a score of 78%, indicating a "Good" overall rating. The organization demonstrates strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $57,971,496 | $66,561,388 | $64,403,820 |
| Revenue | $60,356,244 | $59,437,892 | $63,227,837 |
| Expenses | $65,965,386 | $62,127,770 | $58,970,307 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $5,248,735 | $2,236,376 | $3,244,992 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Muscular Dystrophy Association
MDA College Scholarship Program
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
MDA Development Grants
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
MDA Durable Medical Equipment Grant Program
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Angela Lek: Chief Research Officer (CRO) (joined November 2025)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANJAN ARALIHALLI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BARRY BYRNE MD PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BENJAMIN CUMBO III | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLES D SCHOOR ESQ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS ROSA PHD | VICE CHAIRMAN | 5 | — |
| DAN FRIES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH MCNALLY MD PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GOVERNOR BRAD HENRY | CHAIRMAN | 5 | — |
| HON ROBERT E PIPIA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER GOTTLIEB | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN COSTANTINO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN E HOWELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LILIAN WU PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOUIS KUNKEL PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK SMITH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT PLUMMER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE ROWLETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NANCY KINDELAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE FURNARY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM SIMON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DONALD WOOD | PRESIDENT & CEO | 50 | $634,139 |
| HENRY LANMAN | SEC. & CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER | 50 | $372,458 |
| MICHAEL KENNEDY | TREASURER & CFO | 50 | $445,354 |
| MARY ROTH | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 50 | $241,889 |
| NORA CAPOCCI | VP, HEALTHCARE SERVICES | 50 | $235,784 |
| PERIPEDES GONDIM | VP, HUMAN RESOURCES & VOLUNTEERS | 50 | $268,301 |
| RUTH DAILEY | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 50 | $279,285 |
| SHARON HESTERLEE | CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER | 50 | $285,786 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
MDA announced the 2026 MDA Legacy Award recipient
December 2025: MDA announced more than $2.7 million in research grants to advance breakthroughs across neuromuscular diseases
Muscular Dystrophy Association Awards 15 Grants Totaling More Than $4 MillionMDA offers a Durable Medical Equipment Grant Program for eligible individuals
Contact Information
Address: 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073 Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (800) 572-1717 (833) 275-6321
Email: ResourceCenter@mdausa.org
Website: mda.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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