What Michael J. Fox Foundation does

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF), founded in 2000 by actor Michael J. Fox and Deborah W. Brooks, is the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's disease research, with over $2.5 billion deployed across more than two decades. The foundation operates PPMI (the Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative, formerly the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative), a landmark observational study that has enrolled more than 4,200 in-clinic and 47,000+ online participants across 50+ clinical sites in 12 countries and whose dataset has been downloaded over 50 million times by researchers. It complements PPMI with Fox Trial Finder (a self-service clinical trial matching tool), the Targets to Therapies Initiative, the LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program, and the ASAP Collaborative Research Network covering 187 institutions in 24 countries, validating biomarker platforms such as the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay and supporting a portfolio of 75+ disease-modifying therapies in clinical development.

MJFF funds its programs through a hybrid revenue model that includes individual donations (88 cents of every dollar to research programs), corporate sponsorships (Acadia, AbbVie, Blue Rock Therapeutics), sponsored research support, and grassroots Team Fox fundraising events. It reaches patients, families, and researchers through an omnichannel distribution footprint spanning a 350,000+ provider primary-care partnership (Altura), 23+ city Parkinson's IQ + You events, the annual Unity Walk, an award-winning podcast, monthly webinars, a 135,000+-member Parkinson's Policy Network, and an Altura-enabled community channel serving 150 million+ people. The foundation also drives policy outcomes — including the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act, the Vermont paraquat ban, and the EPA TCE ban — embedding itself in the federal and state regulatory infrastructure for Parkinson's research and care.

Name

Michael J. Fox Foundation

Legal name

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Website

http://www.michaeljfox.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's disease research, operating the PPMI observational study across 12 countries and deploying over $2.5 billion in research funding to accelerate cures, biomarkers, and clinical trials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Medical Research Funding

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Parkinson's research funding
• Nonprofit health foundation
• Clinical trial matching
• Disease biomarker research
• Medical research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation receives donations from individuals who contribute to fund Parkinson's research. The foundation states that 88 cents of every dollar raised goes to research programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate donors and industry partners provide funding support. Event sponsors include companies like Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Blue Rock Therapeutics, and others for educational events.
3. Sponsored Research Support: Industry sponsors including AbbVie and Acadia Pharmaceuticals provide funding for specific research programs and reports.
4. Team Fox Grassroots Fundraising: Thousands of Team Fox members worldwide organize fundraising events including athletic events, endurance challenges, and DIY fundraisers. HPP's Pacific row raised $43 million for the foundation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and accelerates Parkinson's disease research worldwide. It deploys donated capital into research grants, operates the landmark PPMI observational study and Fox Trial Finder clinical trial matching platform, produces educational resources and events for patients and families, and coordinates a national policy advocacy network to advance Parkinson's research, treatment, and prevention.

Product overview

The Michael J. Fox Foundation operates primarily as a research funding organization rather than a traditional software product company. Its core digital offerings include the Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI), a landmark longitudinal research study, and Fox Trial Finder, a clinical trial matching tool. The Foundation also provides educational programs through Parkinson's IQ + You events and publishes resources like the Care Partner Guide. These offerings work together to accelerate Parkinson's research by connecting patients to clinical trials, collecting comprehensive biological data, and educating the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PPMI: Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative (formerly Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative) - landmark observational clinical study
• Team Fox
• Fox Trial Finder
• Parkinson's Policy Network
• Parkinson's IQ + You

Products and services

• Fox Trial Finder Online clinical trial matching tool that connects community members to Parkinson's studies in need of volunteers. Users answer basic questions to receive study matches based on their profile, with AI-powered lay summaries translating technical trial descriptions. Available in multiple languages with no login required.
• Parkinson's Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI) Landmark observational study (formerly Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative) that collects clinical and biological data from participants to drive biology-driven, personalized Parkinson's research. The study includes over 4,200 in-clinic participants across 50 sites in 12 countries and more than 47,000 online participants, with data downloaded over 50 million times by researchers worldwide. Over $800 million invested in building the dataset.
• Parkinson's IQ + You Free national educational event series that visits cities across the United States to educate and empower people living with Parkinson's disease and their families through interactive panels, research discussions, and a partner expo featuring local and national Parkinson's organizations. Has visited 23+ cities since 2019.
• Facing Parkinson's Together: A Guide for Care Partners Free digital care partner guide providing practical advice, emotional support, and community insights for families dealing with Parkinson's disease. Developed with clinical experts and community contributors.
• ASAP Collaborative Research Network Global initiative coordinated by Aligning Science Across Parkinson's in partnership with MJFF that funds 32 international research teams studying Parkinson's disease heterogeneity and advancing precision medicine. Total CRN investment exceeds $550 million, funding 67 teams of nearly 400 investigators across 187 institutions in 24 countries.
• Parkinson's Podcast Award-winning podcast recognized with Silver and Bronze Signal Awards in 2025, featuring episodes on Parkinson's research, patient experiences, and expert discussions. Distributed through major podcast platforms.
• Third Thursdays Webinar Series Monthly educational webinar series covering Parkinson's medications, research updates, exercise, genetics, and other topics, with CME credits available.
• Parkinson's Policy Network Nationwide grassroots advocacy program with 135,000+ members receiving action alerts, policy updates, and opportunities to engage with federal and state lawmakers around Parkinson's research funding and policy priorities.

Quantifiable outcome

• PPMI enabled validation of the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (SAA) for detecting Parkinson's before symptoms appear
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026MJFF partners with ASAP on the Collaborative Research Network (CRN), which received $261 million in new grant funding. The CRN funds 67 teams of nearly 400 investigators across 187 institutions in 24 countries studying Parkinson's heterogeneity and advancing precision medicine. ASAP's total CRN investment exceeds $550 million. This partnership drives the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2) and supports PPMI expansion.
• Biognosys GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop sensitive and quantitative biomarker assays for LRRK2 using SISCAPA and TrueSignature targeted proteomics platforms for deployment in clinical trials to provide pharmacodynamic readouts of therapeutic treatment. Supports MJFF's LITE initiative.
• MetabolonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to discover biomarkers and biological pathways related to Parkinson's disease.
• Nautilus BiotechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner$1.6 million research collaboration to develop single-molecule assay for studying alpha-synuclein using Nautilus' proteomics platform and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar's expertise. Aims to detect various forms of alpha-synuclein at detailed resolution to improve early diagnosis.
• Weill Cornell Medicine-QatarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Nautilus Biotechnology and MJFF to study the connection between alpha-synuclein protein and Parkinson's disease using single-molecule proteomics.
• Lario TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMJFF awarded $1.5 million grant to Lario Therapeutics to support CaV1.3-linked Parkinson's disease research as part of the company's $2.4 million total funding from MJFF and Wellcome.
• AlturacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner10-year partnership expanding to bring Parkinson's and brain health studies to primary care and community health settings, particularly among historically underrepresented communities. Reaches 150+ million people through 350,000+ healthcare providers.
• Alamar BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMJFF supported development of NULISAseq Neuro 220 Panel featuring 15 new Parkinson's disease biomarkers and 12 Tau protein isoform assays for neurological disease research.
• Scenic BiotechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined MJFF's LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program to evaluate PLA2G15 inhibitor program as disease-modifying approach for Parkinson's, leveraging LITE's biology expertise and biomarker infrastructure.
• Roche Information SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital biomarker technology developed by Roche used in Neuron23's NEULARK Phase 2 trial to monitor motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's patients.
• Parkinson's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit sponsor of economic burden report on Parkinson's disease, collaborating on research and advocacy initiatives.
• American Parkinson Disease AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit sponsor of economic burden report, partnering on awareness and research efforts.
• CurePSPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit sponsor of economic burden report, collaborating on advocacy and research for atypical parkinsonisms.
• Blue Rock TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier sponsor of Parkinson's IQ + You events, advancing cell-based therapies including Phase III trial of bemdaneprocel for Parkinson's.
• Buck Institute for Research on AgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for proteomics research collaboration.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)coreOthersFederal agency developing and implementing the National Parkinson's Project with guidance from advisory council including MJFF CEO and Patient Council member. Authorized by National Plan to End Parkinson's Act signed into law July 2024.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)coreOthersFederal research agency collaborating on National Parkinson's Project and receiving advocacy for increased Parkinson's research funding (target: $600 million annually by FY2028).

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Parkinson's Foundation: National nonprofit also funding Parkinson's research, education, and patient services. Direct peer with overlapping patient programs, co-sponsored economic burden reports, and complementary research funding approach.
• American Parkinson Disease Association: National Parkinson's-specific nonprofit providing research funding, patient education, and support services. Direct peer co-sponsoring the $82.2B economic burden report with MJFF and operating similar care partner/patient programs.
• CurePSP: Nonprofit focused on atypical parkinsonisms (PSP, CBD, MSA). Direct peer co-sponsoring MJFF's economic burden report and operating in the adjacent neurodegenerative movement disorder space.
• Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP): Global nonprofit research funder coordinating the Collaborative Research Network with MJFF. Operates as both peer and partner, jointly funding $550M+ across 187 institutions in 24 countries.

Broad incumbents

• Alzheimer's Association: Largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research with a similar research-funding + advocacy + patient-services model. Comparable in scale and structure, but focused on Alzheimer's rather than Parkinson's; serves as the template for large-disease research foundations.
• ALS Association: Major disease-specific research nonprofit with a comparable model: research funding, advocacy, patient services, biotech grants. Direct structural analog in neurodegenerative disease space; serves a similarly sized patient population.
• BrightFocus Foundation: Nonprofit funding research on Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Comparable as a smaller disease-focused research grantmaker with a similar portfolio of biotech and academic grants.

Emerging players

• Hereditary Disease Foundation: Long-running neuroscience research foundation focused on Huntington's disease and related disorders. Comparable in mission style (disease-specific research funding) but smaller scale and narrower disease focus.

Others

• Wellcome Trust: Global charitable foundation co-funding Parkinson's research with MJFF (Lario Therapeutics). Functions as a research grantmaker rather than a disease-specific peer, but is a direct funding partner with similar large-scale biomedical research grantmaking.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Nonprofit funding spinal cord injury research and paralysis advocacy. Comparable as a celebrity-founded disease-specific research foundation with similar brand-driven fundraising and patient-support models, though in a different therapeutic area.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/michaeljfoxorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEwLnD6-KxGvKqnohdQ8lCw
• Facebookfacebook.com/michaeljfoxfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/78411
• Instagraminstagram.com/michaeljfoxorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments113 records

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Frequently asked questions about Michael J. Fox Foundation