Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Inc

“All members of the board are sent a draft of the 990 along with the audited financial statements of the organization for discussion purposes. The board members review the financial statements and the information disclosed in form 990. They comment on any issues from their review and a meeting is held amongst the board to resolve the open items prior to filing the tax return.”

“On a yearly basis all board members and employees must sign under oath that they have read and comply with our conflict of interest policy.”

“The board in june of each year meets to determine compensation to key employees. Appropriate documentation is kept based on their review which includes review and approval of corporate goals and objectives relative to the compensation, evaluating the performance in light of these goals and objectives and establishing the annual compensation, taking into consideration such evaluation and feedback from all board members.”

“A copy of the governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements is available for review at the organization's main office.”

“The mission of the multiple sclerosis foundation ("ms focus") is to provide programs and support to those persons affected by multiple sclerosis that help them maintain their health, safety, self-sufficiency, and personal well being; and to heighten public awareness of multiple sclerosis in order to elicit financial support for the ms focus's programs and services and promote understanding for those diagnosed with the illness. The primary purpose of the ms focus is to respond to the needs of individuals with multiple sclerosis and their families. We are dedicated to providing relevant information in a timely manner, while simultaneously offering assistance to individuals in solving the challenges of daily life.”

“Home care assistance grant program the home care grant program provides direct support for services that encourage independence; improve functional status and quality of life; and maintain caregiver and other family support mechanisms. The home care grant program also facilitates the coordination of community services providing intervention and awareness of health-related quality of life issues. Direct support is provided for adult day care as well as temporary short-term custodial care in the home, including personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and caregiver respite. Rehabilitation services provided outside or inside of the home include physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Through the home care grant program, ms focus provided up 10 (4 hour) homecare visits per person in 25 states to 61 people in 2024. The services provided are home care, respite, and therapy services to those of all ages, with limited or fixed incomes.”

“Support programs a vital facet of program services is to provide one-on-one support, including solutions to help dramatically improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Every problem or need is considered important and unique, and is resolved individually and confidentially. We have a team of support service coordinators who provide resource and referrals to those affected by ms. Telephone support the national helpline is staffed by a combination of experienced caseworkers who serve as navigators. More than 70,000 calls a year come in from around the world. Callers request information about ms focus: the multiple sclerosis foundation and its available services, as well as how to cope with ms, crisis intervention, ms treatment options, and current research updates. In addition, thousands of follow-up calls are made by the ms focus case workers to various county, state and federal agencies, disability groups, universities, hospitals, support groups, crisis centers, utility companies, housing authorities, and advocacy groups. Bilingual staff members are on hand to respond to spanish-speaking individuals affected by ms. We care, we call peer counselors respond by telephone to requests from individuals who want to talk to someone with ms who cares about them and is interested in what they are experiencing. Someone who knows what it's like calls others with ms and provides sincere and caring support in the comfort of their own home. Walk-in support for those who visit us in person for information and assistance, a relaxing, private meeting room is available for patients and their families to speak with a caseworker. Information on national and local agencies providing home care, transportation, assistive technology, and financial assistance is available; as well as information on ms, symptom management, and strategies for treatment and management of the disease. Many people have expressed their appreciation for the time taken to assist them on a personal level. Internet helpline the internet helpline provides information and support in response to thousands of online requests each year from all over the world. Through personalized responses to emails, dedicated caseworkers and peer counselors provide the latest information on ms, treatments, research, complementary and alternative therapies, coping techniques, and symptom management. Support groups the ms focus support group program provides direct assistance for ms people to start a support group in their community. They are provided with phone support and a support group training manual to assist them in starting and maintaining the support group. Support groups are provided with educational information and referrals, books, videos and resource materials from the lending library, development and printing of flyers and brochures, and the opportunity to list their support group in the independent regional support group directory on our website. For support groups that qualify, direct support programs, including financial assistance and enrichment grants are available. Existing support groups that contact us are provided with the same services. More than 114 independent support groups throughout the country are affiliated with ms focus through our support group program. Ranging in size from six to 100+ members, these groups respond to the needs, problems, and concerns of the ms people within their community. Many of these support groups are now meeting online in addition to in-person meetings caregivers night out each november, in honor of national family caregivers month, and in recognition of caregivers everywhere, ms focus hosts its annual ms caregivers night out contest. An invitation is extended to both caregivers and care-receivers to share their personal caregiving story and nominate their care partner to win a dinner for two and have their story published in ms focus. Resource/lending library the ms focus lending library provides information for”

“Assistive technology program the assistive technology (at) program provides direct support for services and devices that increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with ms. This includes aids for daily living, communication devices, home and vehicle modifications, orthotics, mobility aids, environmental control systems, and aids for vision and hearing impairments. In 2024, ms focus assisted 312 individuals 40 and puerto rico states with at, including wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, wheelchair lifts, hand controls, speaker phones, voice activated software, personal emergency response systems, braces, eyeglasses, transfer equipment, diapers, reachers, commodes, shower chairs, and clothing. Various home modifications, including installing rails and grab bars, widening doorways and portable ramps were also provided.”

“Emergency assistance program the emergency assistance program provides one-time assistance to ms patients who are struggling financially. Requests, including those for emergency assistance are considered on a case-by-case basis. Every effort is made to first locate community, state, and national agencies to provide the needed assistance. In cases where other agencies are not available, ms focus may provide the needed assistance. In 2024, ms focus provided assistance to 140 ms patients in 32 states and puerto rico, for heating and cooling costs, utilities and housing assistance. Health & wellness program the health and wellness program provides resources available to people with ms, family members, medical professionals and health and wellness supporters nationally. These resources are: educational materials, information, referrals, and the opportunity for those with ms to participate in a wide range of online health and wellness programs. These programs consist of: live virtual online and individual participation programs. Virtual programs include yoga, exercise, taichi and art therapy. Virtual online programs are recorded live and then provided on demand on the multiple sclerois foundations youtube channel individual programs include adaptive yoga, tai chi, pilates, aquatics, fitness, exercise, therapeutic horseback riding, recreational therapies and adaptive sports such as dance/music therapy and bowling. They are offered to people with ms through qualified service providers in a safe and supportive environment to: manage specific symptoms associated with the disease; maintain or improve their physical abilities and emotional well-being; help build their social skills, confidence and self-esteem. The integration of new knowledge and techniques helps to motivate, educate and empower participants to live an enhanced quality of life.”

“Information & education websites ms focus provides two useful, inter-linked websites to the ms community. In addition to our primary site, msfocus.org, we offer msfocusmagazine.org. The websites serve as the internet link to the various programs and services we offer. They are continuously evolving in order to meet the growing needs of those affected directly and indirectly by ms. The websites are internationally accessible, and thousands of hours and considerable resources are expended to update the websites each year. These websites serve as a comprehensive source of information for individuals and healthcare providers. Among the features of the websites are: msfocus.org introduction to ms and ms focus: the site serves as an introduction to ms for individuals who are newly diagnosed, answering questions they may have about their condition, helping to alleviate fears and concerns, and familiarizing them with ms focus and our services. Online applications: individuals with ms can apply for assistance through many ms focus programs using our secure online application process. News: the ms focus strives to keep abreast of developments in ms news and research, and provide up-to-date reports via the news section of our website. Our goal is to provide clear, comprehensible information, while showing how individual studies fit into the larger perspective and how they pertain to the individual with ms. Clinical trial information: a listing of u.s. And international clinical trials actively recruiting patients with ms, a comprehensive listing of drugs approved by the fda, as well as detailed profiles, organized geographically by state, of hundreds of clinical research centers specializing in neurology research, is available on the website. Independent regional support group directory: for support groups wishing to promote awareness of their mission and activities, we provide a national online directory of independent support groups. The directory provides information on locations, times, dates, contact information, as well as a brief description of the support group. Msfocusmagazine.org articles: the msfocusmagazine.org website is the online home of our flagship publication. The articles empowers those affected by ms with the information necessary to make the most complete and educated decisions about their healthcare. We strive to provide current, relevant articles on a variety of ms-related topics, some of which have previously appeared in our magazines, newsletters, and other publications. Digital archives are avaiable for past ms focus magazine issues. Web exclusives: ms bloggers, journalists, and health care providers contribute original content that provides up-to-the-minute information and advice for individuals with ms.”

“Special programs and education public awareness programs national ms education and awareness month is a national effort, held each year during the month of march, by the ms focus and affiliated groups to raise the public's awareness about ms. The vital goals of this campaign are to promote an understanding of the scope of the disease as well as distribute information and resources that can assist those affected. Ms focus works diligently to provide, on a national level, interesting and educational events for ms patients and their families and care partners. During 2024, ms focus distributed more than 70,000 awareness kits throughout the u.s. And puerto rico in addition hundreds participated in educational programs, fundraisers, and other ms related activities during the month. Conducted outreach activities through online programs - including educational programs directed to patients, healthcare professionals, and support groups educating thousands each year with an interest in ms. In addition, ms focus actively seeks to amplify its outreach efforts by collaborating with organizations with established programs and existing resources that complement our mission in order to achieve the most effective use of limited resources. During 2024, ms focus sponsored virtual nationwide patient education programs. Support group outreach through the support group outreach program, ms focus extends a personal touch to support group leaders, providing them with assistance in assessing the needs of the group and the local ms community. Support group leaders can also take part in training seminars to conduct outreach activities on behalf of the ms focus. To encourage additional community support, when visiting support groups, we conduct outreach visits to local hospitals, health care and assisted living facilities, libraries, and various other organizations that can provide resources for local ms patients, encouraging them to refer patients to the local support group. Database the ms focus maintains a rapidly growing database of individuals and organizations from the u.s. And abroad that are interested in ms. Constantly updated and expanded, the databases also include health, homecare, assistive technology, and cam resources, granting caseworkers rapid access to information for those in need. Social media our social media platforms connect people to our free programs and services, educate, create ms awareness, and empower people to live life at their best. Our facebook page has been followed by more than 42,000 people. Our facebook group, which is moderated by our staff, has more than 26,300 members who support each other and have created an online fellowship. Twitter, instagram, and tumblr also help spread the message for the foundation. We regularly post videos of our ms educational programs on our youtube channel. Our youtube subscribers watch our educational programs, to which they may not be able to go in person, providing a vital link to the ms community.”

“Assistance programs brighter tomorrow grants this program provides individuals with ms with goods or services to improve their quality of life by enhancing safety, self-sufficiency, comfort, or well being. Recipients were supplied with ramps, vehicle and home modifications, computers, appliances, continuing education, clothing, furniture, hobby supplies and exercise equipment. Applicants are required to provide basic personal and financial information, along with a brief essay of 100 words or less describing how the grant might help them have a brighter tomorrow. In 2024, 28 people from 16 states and territories benefited directly from the brighter tomorrow grant and many grant applicants were helped through other programs offered by ms focus. Computer grant program computer grant program provides computers for individuals with ms on limited or fixed incomes. The application process requires verification of a diagnosis of ms and a brief essay from the applicant explaining how a computer will enhance their quality of life. A laptop,or an all in one computer including a monitor, and keyboard be granted. Internet access and technical support will be the responsibility of the grant recipient. During 2024, 93 individuals were assisted in 37 states. Health care assistance grant the health care assistance program was implemented in 2012 to assist individuals in paying for doctor visits. Many times an individual with ms cannot receive medication or assistance without a prescription from a physician and they may not be able to cover the cost of the physician. The program was developed to help bridge this gap and will allow two visits to a neurologist. In 2024, we assisted 10 individuals' for visits to healthcare providers in 9 states. Transportation assistance grant the transportation assistance grant program was established to help members of the ms community remain as independent as possible, and ensure all people with ms have the transportation necessary to get the best medical care. The program provides funding for reasonable transportation fees using lyft, uber or paratransit. The program provides transportation to and from appointments for ms care, including neurologist visits and infusion centers, at no cost to the person with ms. To qualify for the program a person must have a documented diagnosis of ms. For transportation through lyft or uber, the applicant must be able to enter the vehicle independently or with the help of a caregiver who will accompany them, and any mobility aids they require must fit in a standard vehicle trunk. They must also have a cellular device capable of receiving and sending text messages. During 2024, 1,660 rides where awarded to individuals in 34 states.”

“Publications ms focus provides an array of educational publications in both digital and print formats. A great deal of time and effort is devoted to ensuring the accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of all written material. All literature is designed to be up-to-date and responsive to the needs and interests of the ms community. Here are just a few: ms focus magazine our critically-acclaimed flagship publication, ms focus magazine has a circulation of more than 130,000. It is mailed to ms patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. It is also available online at msfocusmagazine.org. Each issue is in full-color and enlarged print. The magazine features advice from experts to help those living with ms, including practical tips you can follow. Learn about medicine and research, symptom management, health and wellness and lifestyle articles. Booklets and brochures a general brochure developed for the public is distributed, which highlights the ms focus's mission and lists support resources and programs encouraging public support, such as volunteerism. Brochures on various ms focus assistance programs, including assistive technology and home care grants are also available. Booklets containing extensive information on ms, symptom management, pregnancy, complementary and alternative medicine, medications, intimacy and sexuality, nutrition, and exercise are available to the public at no charge. Most of these booklets are also available in spanish. Fact sheets for areas of specific interest, fact sheets containing information on current medical treatments, latest research, symptom management, and complementary and alternative medicine are available to the public free of charge. We also have a growing list of fact sheets available for our spanish-speaking readers and their family members. E-newsletters ms focus on programs: this e-newsletter helps people with ms keep up-to-date with all the free services our organization offers to meet the needs of those with ms. They learn about new programs, application deadlines, educational offerings , and receive other important announcements from the ms focus. Ms focus on action: this e-newsletter helps subscribers keep up to date with the current issues facing the ms community, and provides helpful tips that will allow them to get more involved. Ms focus on research: ms focus on research is a concise email newsletter that presents each month's news and developments in ms research. It includes research into the cause and cure of ms, as well as studies related to treatment, coping, alternative medicine, disability, and other science news related to ms. Support group newsletter: sent to leaders and co-leaders bi-weekly with update information about ms focus programs, services, educational opportunities and other events.”

“Cooling grant program ms focus receives numerous requests for assistance in coping with heat-induced symptoms. In 2024, through the cooling program, 308 individuals in 48 states and puerto rico were provided with cooling vests, wrist bands, neck bands, bandanas, and hats to help them remain active and have a more comfortable lifestyle.”

“Bank charges: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 35,495. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 35,495. In kind donations: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 24,525. Total expenses 24,525. Federal & state fees: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 3,871. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 3,871. Transportation: program service expenses 289. Management and general expenses 579. Fundraising expenses 289. Total expenses 1,157.”

“All employees are outsourced. Amounts reported on lines 5 and 7 represent total payroll and associated costs.”