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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 13-5661935 · NY · Fiscal year FY ending Sep 2025

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

National Multiple Sclerosis Society: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“We will cure ms while empowering people affected by ms to live their best lives.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$505K Timothy Coetzee, 0.3% of spending
Revenue
$162.0M 85.5% from donations and grants
Spent
$155.7M 70.5% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$122.6M end of FY ending Sep 2025
Savings
9.4 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
789 employees, 30,000 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Sep 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 70.5¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
70.5¢
Programs, $109.8M
20.7¢
Fundraising, $32.2M
8.8¢
Admin, $13.7M
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
23¢
as reported
24¢
counting the shared mail

For each dollar donated, National Multiple Sclerosis Society spent 23¢ on fundraising, or about 24¢ counting joint costs.

Fundraising ÷ $138.5M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 30.6% of program spending $33.6M

Public education (see schedule o)public education - people with ms can better manage their disease when they have the support and understanding of the people around them-from doctors to employers to family members. That's why we work relentlessly to tell the world what it means to live with ms. We educate the public through the society's awareness campaigns, public service announcements, and momentum, which is the society's flagship magazine distributed quarterly to nearly 550,000 people living with ms, healthcare providers, and supporters of the society. We send bimonthly emails with news…

Program 2 · 26.7% of program spending · $24.4M in grants $29.3M

Research and scientific studies (see schedule o)research and scientific studies - in fiscal 2025, the society invested nearly $30 million to support 311 new and ongoing research projects around the world aimed at stopping ms in its tracks, restoring function, and ending the disease forever. The society engaged 100 expert scientific and peer reviewers to evaluate 312 proposals for research grants, fellowships and early career awards, commercial research and development agreements, and targeted research grants. We also engaged 14 lay community reviewers to help the society identify the most…

Program 3 · 5.5% of program spending · $1.9M in grants $6.0M

Professional education and training - the society wants scientists and healthcare professionals to be aware of and trained in ms so that the very best expertise worldwide is engaged in finding treatments and solutions for everyone with ms. This includes activities and programs designed to improve the knowledge, skills, and critical judgement of scientists, physicians and other healthcare professionals engaged (directly or indirectly) in providing services to people living with ms by keeping them abreast of new diagnostic techniques and therapies. In fiscal 2025, 41 echo-trained clinicians,…

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $27.3M to $122.6M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
27
32
26
24
82
104
119
116
134
124
110
123
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Sep 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Sep 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Timothy Coetzee
President & CEO (as of 07/2024)
$505,332
Cynthia Zagieboylo
Fmr. President & Ceo(thru 07/2024)
$404,427
Cynthia Bertrando
Chief Financial Officer
$399,744
Jennifer Lee
Evp, Development (thru 10/2024)
$316,387
Lisa Goldfarb Thru 052024
Fmr. Chief Ppl, Vol & Comm Eng Off.
$306,462
Phyllis Robsham Thru 072024
Fmr. Evp, Community Leadership
$300,343
Whitnie Gladden
General Counsel (thru 02/2025)
$275,913
Bari Talente
Evp, Advocacy & Healthcare Access
$268,405
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Merkle IncDirect marketing$2,886,811
Slalom IncIt professional services$2,750,405
Global Cloud LtdIt/processing services$1,482,746
Sound Communications IncDigital marketing$1,108,852
Cloud for Good Holdings Inc 1854aIt professional services$1,015,373
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the National Multiple Sclerosis Society CEO make?

Timothy Coetzee, President & CEO (as of 07/2024), received $505,332 in reportable compensation in FY ending Sep 2025, 0.3% of National Multiple Sclerosis Society's $155.7M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII

What percentage of National Multiple Sclerosis Society donations go to programs?

National Multiple Sclerosis Society reported 70.5% of FY ending Sep 2025 spending as programs, 20.7% as fundraising and 8.8% as management. That includes $692K of joint mail and ad costs counted as programs; without them, programs were 70.1%.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IX

How much money does National Multiple Sclerosis Society have?

Net assets were $122.6M at the end of FY ending Sep 2025, about 9.4 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part X

Does National Multiple Sclerosis Society have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Form 990, FY ending Sep 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “National Multiple Sclerosis Society: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/national-multiple-sclerosis-society/