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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: August 2025 Expires: August 2027

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
Accreditation seal
(800) 344-4867
Post Office Box 91891
Washington, DC, 20090
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

National Multiple Sclerosis Society meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to cure Multiple Sclerosis (MS) while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives."

Year, State Incorporated:
1946, NY

National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) reports that it provides information, connections, and support to advance healthcare access for all and leads the global effort to cure MS. The organization aims to help people affected by MS navigate the day-to-day challenges of the disease through offering educational programs, reliable information, and one-on-one guidance through its MS Navigator program. NMSS also offers emotional support and community between people affected by MS. In 2024, the organization states that its MS Navigator program connected nearly 30,000 people to resources such as MS education, healthcare, financial, emotional support, and personalized case management support. In addition, NMSS reports that it supported 271 new and ongoing research projects around the world aimed at stopping MS and restoring lost function and delivered more than 100 virtual and in-person programs, reaching 225,000 individuals.

For the year ended September 30, 2024, National Multiple Sclerosis Society's program expenses were:

Research and scientific studies: $31,236,043

Client and community services: $47,323,264

Public education: $44,215,067

Professional education and training: $6,566,150

Total Program Expenses: $129,340,524

Chief Executive
Timothy Coetzee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$643,750

Chair of the Board
Peter Porrino

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, XL Group PLC

Board Size
25

Paid Staff Size
678

*2025 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: Mr Coetzee began his tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer In June 2024. In 2024, highest compensated employee was Tami Caesar, Chief Operating Officer, receiving $738,364.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Telemarketing, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation

NMSS incurred joint costs of $5,077,088 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $3,799,900 was allocated to fundraising expenses, $668,475 was allocated to administrative expenses, and $608,713 was allocated to program expenses.

Fundraising costs were 20% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $172,901,800, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on National Multiple Sclerosis Society's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Special events, net $79,987,192
Contributions $46,850,702
Bequest and trust income $35,977,594
In-kind contributions $10,086,312
Advertising and other income $2,298,023
Investment income, net $21,744,153
Total Income $196,943,976

Programs: 72% Fundraising: 19% Administrative: 8%

Total Income $196,943,976
Total expenses: $178,870,117
  Program expenses $129,340,524
  Fundraising expenses $34,737,323
  Administrative expenses $14,792,270
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $18,073,859
Beginning Net Assets $109,538,849
Other Changes In Net Assets $303,906
Ending Net Assets $127,493,073
Total Liabilities $73,624,690
Total Assets $201,117,763

Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in fair value of beneficial interest in trusts ($379,089) and a change in value of split-interest agreements (-$75,183).

Note 2: According to NMSS' audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended September 30, 2024, the organization received $10,812,641 in contributed goods and services including advertising ($9,396,560), event services and goods ($726,329), and contributed services ($689,752).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance