Celebrating 30 years of helping you give wisely
America's most independent,
assertive charity watchdog
Top Rated

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

CharityWatch report issued
October 2022

Top-Rated Charity
B+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
73%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$19
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
733 Third Ave.
New York, NY 10017

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives.

View similar charities
Charity  
Against Malaria Foundation  
ALS Association (National Office)  
American Brain Tumor Association  
American Diabetes Association  
American Heart Association  
American Kidney Fund  
American Leprosy Missions  
American Liver Foundation  
American Lung Association  
American Parkinson Disease Association  
American Sexual Health Association  
Arthritis Foundation  
Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation  
BrightFocus Foundation  
CDC Foundation  
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation  
City of Hope & Affiliates  
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation  
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation  
Defeat Diabetes Foundation  
Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation  
Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation  
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation  
Easterseals (National Office)  
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation  
Epilepsy Foundation  
Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR)  
Hearing Health Foundation  
Heart Center of America (DISSOLVED)  
Huntington's Disease Society of America  
JDRF International  
Lupus Foundation of America (National Office)  
Lupus Research Alliance  
March of Dimes  
MedicAlert Foundation United States  
Mercy Ships & Affiliates  
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research  
Miracle Flights  
MiracleFeet  
Movember Foundation  
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America  
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation  
Muscular Dystrophy Association  
National Caregiving Foundation  
National Emergency Medicine Association (DISSOLVED)  
National Hemophilia Foundation (National Office)  
National Jewish Health  
National Kidney Foundation  
National Psoriasis Foundation  
Operation Smile  
Parkinson Research Foundation  
Parkinson's Foundation  
Partnership for a Healthier America  
PKD Foundation  
Project Cure  
Salk Institute for Biological Studies  
San Francisco AIDS Foundation  
Shriners Hospitals for Children  
Smile Train  
United Cerebral Palsy (National Office)  
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation  
WonderWork (DISSOLVED)  
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 09/30/2021

Program Percentage: 73%

The percentage of National Multiple Sclerosis Society's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$138,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $19

How many dollars National Multiple Sclerosis Society spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$135,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
National Multiple Sclerosis Society & Affiliate Audited Consolidated Financial Statements multiple
National Multiple Sclerosis Society IRS Form 990 13-5661935
Entity: National Multiple Sclerosis Society & Affiliate
Document Type: Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Tax ID: multiple
Entity: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 13-5661935

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
meets governance benchmarks.
 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Cynthia Zagieboylo President/CEO $491,219
2 Maureen Reeder Past Executive VP, Leadership & Org Development $369,476
3 Tim Coetzee Chief Advocacy, Service & Science Officer $357,143
1
Name: Cynthia Zagieboylo
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $491,219
2
Name: Maureen Reeder
Title: Past Executive VP, Leadership & Org Development
Compensation: $369,476
3
Name: Tim Coetzee
Title: Chief Advocacy, Service & Science Officer
Compensation: $357,143

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society consolidated audit of September 30, 2021 (Note 4 re: Donated Goods and Services), the Society reports receiving in-kind donated goods and services in fiscal 2021 on which it placed a total value of $4,361,313. Of this amount, $3,607,526 consisted of "donated print, radio and television public services announcements."

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society consolidated audit of September 30, 2021 (Note 2, COVID-19):

"In early 2020, an outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus ('COVID-19') emerged on a global scale. In fiscal 2020, offices were closed, events and community programs were moved to a remote status. The pandemic continues to present operating challenges, but the Society remains focused on delivering its core mission.

"While offices remain closed across the country, the Society began to hold some in person events again in May 2021, when strict safety protocols could be followed. Event participation and donor-based revenues have stabilized but have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. As a result, cash and operating expenses continue to be monitored closely.

"In fiscal 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ('CARES Act') was established to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of the CARES Act, the Society elected to defer the deposit and payment of the employer share of payroll taxes between April 2020 and December 2020. These deferred payroll taxes are payable in two equal installments on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2021, the Society has recorded $2,443,571 in deferred payroll taxes...

"After the American Rescue Plan Act was passed by Congress, the Society became eligible for and was granted a loan in the amount of $10,000,000, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program under...the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ('CARES Act') (the 'PPP Loan'). The PPP Loan, which was in the form of a five-year note dated April 2, 2021, bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum... Funds from the PPP Loan may only be used for certain costs, such as payroll costs and occupancy expenses. The Society believes that it has used the entire PPP Loan amount for qualifying expenses. Under the terms of the PPP Loan, the borrowing may be forgiven if the funds are used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act. When the Society is legally released from the debt, or forgiveness is granted, the extinguishment will be recognized into income at that time."

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society consolidated audit of September 30, 2021 (Note 4 re: Progressive MS Alliance):

"The Progressive MS Alliance (the 'Alliance') is a collaboration of MS organizations and other stakeholders. The Society is a managing member, along with Associanzione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (Italy), MS Research Australia, Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, MS Society (United Kingdom), and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. ... The Alliance has made a joint commitment to accelerate the development of treatment for progressive MS...

"As a managing member, the Society contributed $8,035,575 through 2021 and has committed $12,517,385 over the following four years, conditional on various factors. In addition, the Society maintains custody of the pooled funds contributed from other Alliance members. The disbursement of funds for various progressive MS research initiatives is approved by voting Alliance members. The Society received a total of $3,052,593 during the year ending September 30, 2021 from Alliance members, which will be held until such time the funds are approved for expenditure. As of September 30, 2021, the Society recorded unspent donated funds, consisting of both Society and other Alliance members' monies, totaling $7,301,323, as a liability."