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Muscular Dystrophy Association

CharityWatch report issued
March 2024

C+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
64%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$31
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Muscular Dystrophy Association
161 N Clark Street
Suite 3550
Chicago, IL 60601

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.mda.org

Stated Mission

Committed to transforming the lives of people with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases through innovations in science & innovations in care.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2022

Program Percentage: 64%

The percentage of Muscular Dystrophy Association's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$58,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $31

How many dollars Muscular Dystrophy Association spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$56,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Joint Costs

Muscular Dystrophy Association's rating was adjusted for Joint Costs. If you are a donor who considers direct mail, telemarketing, and other Joint Cost solicitations to be true charitable programs, the below efficiency ratios, which were not adjusted for joint costs, may better reflect your goals.

Program % Cost to Raise $100
66% $29
Accounting rules allow charities to report some telemarketing, direct mail, and other solicitation costs as Program expenses. CharityWatch believes that most donors do not consider a charity's solicitation activities to be the Programs they are intending to support with their donations. We therefore adjust such expenses out of a charity's reported Program expense and add it to Fundraising expense prior to calculating its rating.

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Muscular Dystrophy Association IRS Form 990 13-1665552
Muscular Dystrophy Association Audited Financial Statements 13-1665552
Entity: Muscular Dystrophy Association
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 13-1665552
Entity: Muscular Dystrophy Association
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 13-1665552

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.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Muscular Dystrophy Association
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

  Name Title Compensation
1 Donald Wood President / CEO $549,560
2 Michael Kennedy Treasurer / CFO $393,356
3 Kristine Welker Chief of Staff $375,766
1
Name: Donald Wood
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $549,560
2
Name: Michael Kennedy
Title: Treasurer / CFO
Compensation: $393,356
3
Name: Kristine Welker
Title: Chief of Staff
Compensation: $375,766

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 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) 2022 tax filing, MDA reports re: Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II):

MDA reports "Bonus & incentive compensation" payments to 4 individuals in 2022:

(1) Michael Kennedy, Treasurer/CFO: $42,000, with reported total compensation of $393,356;

(2) Donald Wood, President/CEO: $27,964, with reported total compensation of $549,560;

(3) Kristine Welker, Chief of Staff: $12,000, with reported total compensation of $375,766; and

(4) Brian Beirne, VP of Multi-Channel Market: $10,000, with reported total compensation of $221,166;


According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association audit of December 31, 2022 (Note 18, Paycheck Protection Program Loan):

"In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the U.S. Federal Government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that, among other economic stimulus measures, established the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") to provide small business loans. In May 2020, the Association obtained a PPP loan directly from Bank of America in the amount of $8,726,730. The note was set to mature in May 2022 and bore interest at a fixed annual rate of 1%, with the first ten months of interest deferred. On February 3, 2021, the Association received additional funding in the amount of $2,000,000 directly from Bank of America. The additional funding was set to mature in February 2023 and bore interest at a fixed annual rate of 1%. The Association believes it used all the proceeds from the note for qualifying expenses which are classified as program expenses on the accompanying statement of activities.

The note is contingently forgivable if the Association meets the conditions of the PPP. In December 2021, the Association was notified by the U.S. Small Business Administration that it met requirements for the forgiveness of the PPP loan obtained in May 2020 in the amount of $8,659,377. The remaining $67,353 was not forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration and remains payable. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Association recognized a gain on forgiveness of the amount of $8,659,377. The remaining balance of $67,353 was repaid in January 2022. 

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the note payable balance is $0 and $2,067,353, respectively. [On] March 23, 2022, the Association received notice from the U.S. Small Business Administration that the $2,000,000 PPP additional funding was forgiven. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Association recognized a gain on forgiveness of the amount of $2,000,000."


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