National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a public charity based in New York, New York, formed in 1946. It funds research and training related to multiple sclerosis (MS) and provides services, education, and support for people affected by MS.
Key facts about National Multiple Sclerosis Society
In short: National Multiple Sclerosis Society gave $23.2M across 92 grants in 2025 (avg $252K), top state California. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 13-5661935
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $23,191,903
- Grants made (2025)
- 92
- Average grant
- $252,086
- Median grant
- $155,510
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (9 of 75, 2025)
- Total assets
- $189,195,287
- Primary geography
- California (14% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$189.2M
-5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$23.2M
-0.9% YoY
Grant Count
92
+7.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$252K
-7.4% YoY
Is National Multiple Sclerosis Society open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 75 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $184K; repeat grants $326K. How we count
Medians: $193K first-time, $223K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Society states its mission as: “We will cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives.” Its research priorities include stopping MS disease activity and progression, restoring function, and ending MS through prevention. Its stated research principles include supporting basic, translational, and clinical research; training emerging investigators; and funding work globally.
In fiscal 2025, the Society reported investing nearly $30 million in 311 new and ongoing research projects around the world. It also reported funding client and community services, public education, and professional education and training. For example, its filing describes MS Navigator support, educational programs, and clinical training for healthcare professionals.
The 2025 grants include research awards to universities, hospitals, and research organizations. Grantee descriptions illustrate the range of institutions supported: Kessler Foundation says its missions include medical rehabilitation research focused on functional gains for people with disabilities and programs to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Accelerated Cure Project says its mission is to accelerate research to improve MS diagnosis, optimize treatment, and find a cure. Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia describes its work as advancing science to predict, prevent, reverse, and cure immune-system diseases.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Society reported 92 grants totaling $23,191,903. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $1,615,407, with a median of $155,510.
The largest reported grants included $1,615,407 to Johns Hopkins University for research; $1,310,088 to the University of California San Francisco for research; $1,280,874 to Columbia University for research; $966,543 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation for research; and $910,753 to Stanford University for research. Other listed recipients included the University of Utah, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, University of Colorado Denver, Kessler Foundation Research Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, Yale University, and Case Western Reserve University.
The Society’s listed programs include the Harry Weaver Scholar Awards for emerging MS researchers, intended to provide salary and grant support over five years. The program summary says applicants must have a doctoral degree and relevant postdoctoral training, and proposals must align with the Society’s Pathways to Cures Roadmap. The Society also lists clinical mentorship programs for medical students and psychology graduate students. The medical student program is a four-week clinical experience and lists an award of $5,000; the psychology graduate student program is a four-week mentorship and lists an award of $3,000. These are participant-training opportunities, distinct from the Society’s grants to organizations.
Open Grants
16 open opportunities from National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Career Transition Fellowships: Non-U.S. Institutions Grant
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Mentor-Based Postdoctoral Fellowship In Rehabilitation Research Grant
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
MS Clinical Mentorship for Psychology Graduate Students Grant
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Amount
US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with National Multiple Sclerosis Society?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Society says its research portfolio funds work globally. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were California (14%), New York (13%), Maryland (9%), Massachusetts (9%), and Ohio (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 92 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $22.6M (2023) to $28.9M (2020). In 2025 it made 92 grants totaling $23.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Johns Hopkins University ($1.8M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $10.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
470 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 167 grants of 470 (36%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Research | $1,615,407 |
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Research | $1,310,088 |
| Columbia University New York, NY | Research | $1,280,874 |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH | Research | $966,543 |
| Stanford University Palo Alto, CA | Research | $910,753 |
| University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Research | $836,987 |
| Brigham & Women's Hospital Boston, MA | Research | $635,345 |
| University of Colorado Denver Boulder, CO | Research | $601,810 |
| Kessler Foundation Research Center East Hanover, NJ | Research | $599,688 |
| Weill Cornell Medical College New York, NY | Research | $590,898 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $189,195,287 | $161,966,823 | $155,704,344 | $23,191,903 |
| 2024 | $201,117,763 | $171,750,637 | $169,076,414 | $23,407,051 |
| 2023 | $184,229,514 | $149,451,246 | $172,885,857 | $22,591,275 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $189,195,287 | $201,117,763 | $184,229,514 |
| Revenue | $161,966,823 | $171,750,637 | $149,451,246 |
| Expenses | $155,704,344 | $169,076,414 | $172,885,857 |
| Net Investment Income | $21,727,386 | $6,657,527 | $3,225,647 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 2, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Timothy Coetzee as president and CEO, Peter Porrino as chair, Bonnie Higgins and Caroline Whitacre as vice chairs, and Chris Campbell, Hafiz Chandiwala, Michele Dinn, Don Fracchia, and others as directors. The filing also lists Dana M. Foote as vice chair through November 2024 and Kassaundra Escalera as director through November 2024.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society is led by Cynthia Zagieboylo, Fmr. President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 11 of 44 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cynthia Zagieboylo
Fmr. President & CEO
President & CEO → Fmr. President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
$571K (2020) → $404K (2025)
Timothy Coetzee
President & CEO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$385K (2024) → $505K (2025)
Peter Porrino
Chair
Chair Elect & Treasurer → Treasurer & Chair, 2023
Treasurer & Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andy Harris
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David M. Rottkamp
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana Twadell
Director
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hafiz Chandiwala
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ian Harris
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kassaundra Escalera
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda McAleer
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter A. Galligan
Director
Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rick McDermott
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Russell Parker
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shyam Gidumal
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tobi Rogowsky
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Holley
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Campbell
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Livingston
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Shin
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendi Wasik
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jami Stewart
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele Dinn
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Huskey
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Lindsley
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Don Fracchia
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Myers
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Larsen
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Sicotte
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Sibley
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Omosede Ogiamien
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bari Talente
Executive Vice President, Advocacy & Healthcare Access
Executive Vice President & Advocacy → Executive Vice President, Advocacy & Healthcare Access, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$226K (2020) → $268K (2025)
Bruce Bebo
Executive Vice President & Research
Executive Vice President & Research Programs → Executive Vice President & Research, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$210K (2020) → $232K (2025)
Jennifer Lee
Executive Vice President & Development
Executive Vice President & Fundraising Events → Executive Vice President & Development, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$257K (2020) → $316K (2025)
Ronda Krier
Executive Vice President & Technology
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$162K (2022) → $214K (2025)
Cynthia Bertrando
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$276K (2024) → $400K (2025)
Karen Mariner
Executive Vice President, Programs & Support
Executive Vice President & Ms Navigator → Executive Vice President, Programs & Support, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$179K (2023) → $198K (2025)
Whitnie Gladden
General Counsel
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$264K (2023) → $276K (2025)
Misty Flowers
Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$164K (2024) → $176K (2025)
Stephanie Davidson - Chief
Ppl & Culture Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$46K (2025)
Bonnie Higgins
Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2022
Director & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Whitacre
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dana M. Foote
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Francesco De Flavis - Chief
Mkting & Comms Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Hall
Chief Development Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (41)
- Former: Lisa Goldfarb (2020–2025) — Fmr. Chief Ppl, Vol & Committee Eng Officer · Filing note: Thru 052024
- Former: Phyllis Robsham (2020–2025) — Fmr. Executive Vice President & Community Leadership · Filing note: Thru 072024
- Former: Rebecca Fehlig (2020–2025) — Senior Vice President, Innovations & Operations · Filing note: Thru 072024
- Former: Ron Zwerin (2020–2025) — Fmr. Executive Vice President, Mkt, Brand & Communications · Filing note: Thru 062024
- Former: Chet Porembski (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Page (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Graham McReynolds (2020–2024) — Former Assistant Vice President & Global Initiatives
- Former: Malcolm P. Wattman Esq. (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Bogdonoff (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Richard Knutson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Tami Caesar (2020–2024) — Chief Operating Officer · Filing note: Thru 122023
- Former: William T. Monahan (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Rodriguez (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Eugene May (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Gregory R. Bishop (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Laura Vaccaro (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Mindy B. Alpert (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Mitzi Williams (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nanette Reid (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Peter Harbilas (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Tim Coetzee (2020–2023) — Chief Advoc, Svc & Science Officer
- Former: Lily Jung Henson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Brendon Gallagher (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Crites (2020–2022) — Executive Vice President, Indiv Giving & Corp Eng. · Filing note: Thru 4822
- Former: Elizabeth Forstneger (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: John Scott (2020–2022) — Chief Mkt & Development Officer · Filing note: Thru 2422
- Former: Doug Coy (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Eric Hilty (2020–2021) — Chief Legal Officer
- Former: Kay Julian (2020–2021) — Executive Vice President & Services
- Former: Maureen Reeder (2020–2021) — Former Executive Vice President, Lead & Org
- Former: Mike Pongon (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Paul Weiss (2020–2021) — Chief Crm, Mkt & Tech Officer · Filing note: Thru 11220
- Former: Beth Overhuls (2021) — Executive Vice President & Technology
- Former: Diane Kramer (2021) — Director
- Former: Larry Schmid (2020) — Director
- Former: Mary Hughes MD (2020) — Director
- Former: Peter G. Tarricone (2020) — Director
- Former: Richard B. Slifka (2020) — Director
- Former: Rick Anderson (2020) — Director
- Former: Ron Boire (2020) — Director
- Former: William Marraccini (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 $505K, to Timothy Coetzee (President & CEO (As of 07/2024)). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 733 Third Avenue 3Rd Floor, New York, NY 10017-3211
Phone: (855) 372-1331
Website: https://nationalmssociety.org
Frequently asked questions about National Multiple Sclerosis Society
How much does National Multiple Sclerosis Society give each year?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society gave $23.2M across 92 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $23.4M across 86 grants.
What is National Multiple Sclerosis Society's typical grant size?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society's median grant in 2025 was $155,510, and its average grant was $252,086, across 92 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from National Multiple Sclerosis Society that year got $184K on average.
Where does National Multiple Sclerosis Society give grants?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society's top state is California, with 14% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (13%) and Maryland (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants), Boston, MA (5 grants), Los Angeles, CA (4 grants) and Cleveland, OH (3 grants).
Does National Multiple Sclerosis Society give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 92 grants with a stated purpose on National Multiple Sclerosis Society's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research" (67 grants) and "Clinical" (25 grants).
Who are National Multiple Sclerosis Society's largest grantees?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society's largest 2025 grantees include Johns Hopkins University ($1,755,601 across 2 grants), Columbia University ($1,398,299 across 2 grants) and University of California San Francisco ($1,327,619 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is National Multiple Sclerosis Society?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society reported $189.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $162.0M.
What does National Multiple Sclerosis Society fund?
The Society states its mission as: “We will cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives.” Its research priorities include stopping MS disease activity and progression, restoring function, and ending MS through prevention. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Multiple Sclerosis Society?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nationalmssociety.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is National Multiple Sclerosis Society's EIN?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-5661935. 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.
Here's the math on researching National Multiple Sclerosis Society by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Multiple Sclerosis Society's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Yale supports education, research, scholarship, preservation, public service, and community organizations, including through sponsored research and fellowships. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $14.3 million, with a median of about $136,000; recipients were based mainly in Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether Yale accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$58.9B
Grants
364
Total Given
$168.2M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational, population, and other research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain health, mainly through research awards to eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,000 to $9.9 million, with a median award of $20,000. Applications are submitted through designated programs; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University funds research, health care, and medical research, including university research awards and subcontract grants to organizations. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $87,500, though awards ranged from about $5,300 to $35.5 million; recipients were concentrated in Georgia, which received 46% of grant dollars. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.9B
Grants
362
Total Given
$183.7M
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
The University of Pittsburgh funds research, education, academic support, and community service, with many reported grants supporting research subcontracts at universities and research organizations. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,363 to $7.9 million, with a median of about $85,800, and went to recipients in multiple states, led by Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.9B
Grants
397
Total Given
$149.1M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds education, research, clinical practice, and related programs, with many large awards listed as sub-awards; its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000. Grants went mainly to recipients in California and Maryland, among other states, but no geographic restriction or policy on unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
American Cancer Society Inc
Atlanta, GA
The American Cancer Society funds cancer research, patient support, and advocacy, including research at institutions across the United States. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,648 to $9.6 million, with a median award of $15,000. Research applicants apply through specific grant programs, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
509
Total Given
$23.1M
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt University Medical Center supports medical and scientific research, health and educational programs, and related institutional purposes, with grants to universities, medical centers, and research organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $116,000, though awards ranged widely; recipients were based across the U.S., with the most funding going to Tennessee. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
246
Total Given
$125.1M
Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Gates Foundation funds work on global health, poverty reduction, gender equality, economic opportunity, and U.S. education, primarily in low-income countries and the United States. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations are usually invited to apply, with occasional published funding opportunities.
Assets
$78.7B
Grants
4,974
Total Given
$6.3B
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY
Columbia funds research, education and research, and capital projects, primarily through grants to universities and medical and research institutions across the United States, with the largest share going to New York recipients. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $109,000, though awards ranged from $5,350 to $15.1 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$26.0B
Grants
417
Total Given
$208.3M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives addressing inequality and advancing social justice across areas such as civic engagement, rights, climate justice, and technology, with work around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $45 to $15 million. It does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; most grants are identified through its own selection process.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
More Funders in New York
National Multiple Sclerosis Society down — hundreds of funders to go?