Muscular Dystrophy Association
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Muscular Dystrophy Association meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives."
Year, State Incorporated:
1950, NY
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) reports that it works to find a cure for muscular dystrophy and offers multidisciplinary care for individuals and families to help manage disease symptoms. The organization states that it funds research across diseases to uncover breakthroughs that accelerate treatments and cures. MDA also states that it provides care for kids and adults at MDA Care Centers, support and resources for families through the Resource Center, and summer camp opportunities.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, Muscular Dystrophy Association's program expenses were:
Patient and community services: $23,151,392
Research: $11,248,191
Professional public health education: $14,520,030
Total Program Expenses: $48,919,613
Chief Executive
Donald Wood, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$667,598
Chair of the Board
Brad Henry
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former Governor of Oklahoma
Board Size
18
Paid Staff Size
269
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Telemarketing, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation
MDA incurred joint costs of $1,666,170 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $999,702 was allocated to fundraising expenses and $666,468 was allocated to program expenses.
Fundraising costs were 27% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $56,158,909, 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 Muscular Dystrophy Association's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Special events, net | $43,409,103 |
| Contributions | $10,324,528 |
| Combined Federal Campaign and combined health appeals | $255,025 |
| In-kind contributions | $1,851,039 |
| Government awards | $319,214 |
| Interest income | $221,039 |
| Investment return, net | $5,223,199 |
| Total Income | $61,603,147 |
Programs: 73% Fundraising: 22% Administrative: 4%
| Total Income | $61,603,147 |
| Total expenses: | $66,841,800 |
| Program expenses | $48,919,613 |
| Fundraising expenses | $14,920,486 |
| Administrative expenses | $3,001,701 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-5,238,653 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $8,393,836 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $280,287 |
| Ending Net Assets | $3,435,470 |
| Total Liabilities | $54,536,026 |
| Total Assets | $57,971,496 |
Note 1: As noted in the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to changes in unrecognized benefit plan costs.
Note 2: According to the organization's 2024 audited financial statements, MDA received in-kind gifts totaling $1,851,039 in the form of advertising services ($1,153,500), auction items ($641,539), and professional services ($56,000).
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.
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance