# Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association is a Foundation based in Tucson, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Tucson, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Tucson, AZ, United States
- **Founded:** 1950
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** mda.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/mda/

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

MDA is a nonprofit health agency that funds worldwide research to cure muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related diseases. It has made five investments, including a February 16, 2023, grant to Cure Rare Disease as part of its Grant-II program.

## Sectors

- Healthcare Services
- Biotech
- Pharmaceuticals
- Nonprofit

## Offices

- Chicago, IL, United States
- New York, NY, United States

## People

- Donald S. Wood — President and CEO
- Grace V. George — Chair of the Board of Directors

## Questions

### Who leads investment decisions at the Muscular Dystrophy Association?

Donald S. Wood serves as President and CEO, overseeing both research funding allocation and clinical operations. The Board of Directors, chaired by Grace V. George, provides strategic oversight (per MDA, 2024).

### How does MDA allocate its research funding?

MDA funds over 150 research projects annually across universities and biotech firms. It uses a peer-review process modeled on the NIH, with grants covering basic science, translational research, and clinical trials (per MDA, 2024).

### Does MDA participate in drug development directly?

MDA primarily operates as a grant-making foundation, but it also engages in direct partnerships with biotech companies. The June 2024 agreement with Dyne Therapeutics exemplifies its active role in advancing specific therapies (per MDA, June 2024).

### What is MDA's geographic footprint for care clinics?

MDA supports 150 certified care clinics across the United States, providing multidisciplinary care in neurology, cardiology, and pulmonary medicine. The clinic network extends to all 50 states (per MDA, 2024).

### Where does MDA's funding come from?

MDA's revenue comes from public donations, corporate partnerships, government grants, and its annual telethon, which has evolved into the MDA Muscle Walk program. The organization reports its finances publicly (per MDA, 2024).

### How is MDA structured differently from a venture philanthropy firm?

MDA combines grant-making with direct healthcare delivery through its clinic network. This integration is distinct from venture philanthropy models like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which rely more heavily on royalty-based drug investments.

### What diseases does MDA focus on beyond muscular dystrophy?

MDA covers over 40 neuromuscular conditions, including spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and myasthenia gravis (per MDA, 2024).

## Related profiles

- [Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy](https://altss.com/profile/parent-project-muscular-dystrophy)
- [StayTuned Digital](https://altss.com/profile/staytuned-digital)

---

Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/muscular-dystrophy-association

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology