| COVID-19 IMPACT |
In early 2020, an outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19") EMERGED ON A GLOBAL SCALE. IN REACTION TO THE OUTBREAK, FEDERAL, state, and local governments issued mandates that disrupted businesses and resulted in an overall decline in economic activity. Despite the operating challenges it presented, the Society remained focused on delivering its core mission. The pandemic caused the Society to close offices across the country and shift its operations, events and community programs to a remote status, which remained in effect through the end of fiscal 2020 and into fiscal 2021. Donor-based revenues have been materially impacted, as in-person fundraising events moved to virtual events and connections with donors and people affected by MS turned to online formats. Overall, the impact was a reduction of 21% of total revenues for the year ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the prior year. An expense contingency plan was developed, INCLUDING COMPENSATION REDUCTIONS TO THOSE PAID OVER $100,000, and the Societys research and other operating expenses were reduced focusing on the least disruption to the mission until the effects of the pandemic lessen. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D 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 - 5,743 HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS DURING 2020. OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED, 86% REPORTED INCREASED KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MS CARE. IN 2020, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MADE 8,711 REFERRALS TO THE SOCIETY. |
| CLASSES OF MEMBERS OR STOCKHOLDERS |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY ARE COMPRISED OF THE MEMBERS OF THE 34 MARKETS WHO ARE NON-VOTING MEMBERS, AND THOSE MARKETS CHOOSE VOTING MEMBERS WHO COMPRISE THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY. |
| ELECTION OF MEMBERS AND THEIR RIGHTS |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE ELECTED BY THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY WHICH IS COMPRISED OF VOTING MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION. EACH MARKET IS ALLOCATED A NUMBER OF VOTING MEMBERS BASED ON A FORMULA. VOTING MEMBERS ARE THE VOLUNTEER LEADERS OF THE MARKET AND THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. |
| DECISIONS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF MEMBERS |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY ELECTS THE GOVERNING BODY, APPROVES ANY BY-LAW CHANGES AND APPROVES THE SOCIETY'S STRATEGIC PLAN. |
| ORGANIZATION'S PROCESS TO REVIEW FORM 990 |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 AND ACCOMPANYING SCHEDULES ARE PREPARED BY AN EXTERNAL INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM IN CONJUNCTION WITH MANAGEMENT. IT IS THEN PROVIDED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR REVIEW, COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS, AND EDITS. THE REVIEW COMMENTS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE FORM 990 BY THE CFO. A MEETING OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE IS HELD TO APPROVE THE REVISED FORM 990, AND TO APPROVE DISTRIBUTION TO THE ENTIRE SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS GIVEN A PERIOD OF TIME TO REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE FORM 990 BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. |
| ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS POLICY |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND VOLUNTEERS SERVING ON KEY COMMITTEES MUST REVIEW THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY & MAKE ANY APPROPRIATE DISCLOSURES. IF AN INDIVIDUAL DISCLOSES AN ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT, THE LEGAL TEAM REVIEWS THE DISCLOSURE AND DRAFTS A CONFLICT RESOLUTION REPORT TO ADDRESS THE ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT. THE RESOLUTION REPORT IS PRESENTED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE AUDIT COMMITTEE EDITS AND ULTIMATELY APPROVES A RESOLUTION REPORT FOR EACH OF THE DISCLOSED CONFLICTS. THE RESOLUTION REPORT ENSURES THAT THE INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY DISCUSSIONS OR VOTES RELATED TO THE CONFLICT. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO DISCLOSED THE CONFLICT IS PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RESOLUTION REPORT AND COMPLIES WITH IT. |
| COMPENSATION PROCESS |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IS COMPRISED OF AT LEAST THREE (3) INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS THAT DETERMINE THE COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, OFFICERS AND OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES. THE COMMITTEE IS PROVIDED WITH COMPARABLE SALARY INFORMATION AND DATA FOR ALL POSITIONS AT OTHER VOLUNTARY HEALTHCARE AGENCIES OF SIMILAR SIZE AND NATIONAL INFLUENCE. THE PRESIDENT AND CEO'S PERFORMANCE IS EVALUATED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. THE PRESIDENT AND CEO COMPENSATION IS reviewed with THE BOARD DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OR HER DESIGNEE CONDUCTS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS FOR OFFICERS AND OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES. THE OUTCOME OF THESE EVALUATIONS IS SHARED WITH THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THEIR DECISIONS ABOUT COMPENSATION AND IS REVIEWED WITH THE BOARD DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION. |
| GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION |
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE SOCIETYS IRS FORM 990, IRS FORM 990-T AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.NATIONALMSSOCIETY.ORG, AND ON THE CHARITY NAVIGATOR WEBSITE. THE SOCIETY'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, RECORD RETENTION AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
| OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS EXPLANATION |
FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 Other non-operating income $ 11,543 Change in fair value of beneficial interest in trust $ 64,079 Change in value of split-interest agreements $ 195,545 ------------ Total $ 271,167 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.