Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

What Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada does

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (operating as MS Canada) is a national charitable organization founded in 1948 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The organization provides free support services, education, and advocacy for Canadians living with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers, while funding MS research across the country. MS Canada is registered as a charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency under registration number 10774 6174 RR0001, with a separately registered Quebec Division (10 490 2523 RR0001) operating the French-language portal spcanada.ca. The organization holds the Imagine Canada Standards Program trustmark, indicating accredited nonprofit governance and transparency standards.

MS Canada's core service portfolio spans four functional areas. Support services include the MS Navigator program (delivered via phone at 1-844-859-6789, email, and live chat), the MS Knowledge Network of healthcare professionals, 1:1 Peer Support matching, MS Support Groups (including a specialized 2SLGBTQI+ group), the We Talk MS virtual community platform, and a Quality of Life Equipment Program. Education and wellness offerings include MS 101 newly diagnosed sessions, the TIME virtual exercise program, and an active content blog. Fundraising is delivered through three flagship event franchises - MS Bike, MS Walk, and We Challenge MS - all operated on the DonorDrive peer-to-peer fundraising platform. Research engagement is facilitated through the dedicated msresearch.ca portal, which recruits participants for studies and disseminates research findings.

MS Canada operates as a non-profit with no product or service sales. Revenue is generated entirely through charitable giving channels including one-time donations, monthly recurring giving, legacy gifts, corporate sponsorships (TD Bank is a disclosed $1M partner as of November 2019), and event-based fundraising. Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. The organization is governed by a board of directors, led by President and CEO Pamela Valentine, and operates with a workforce of 251-500 employees nationally. Distribution is direct-to-consumer across Canada via website, phone, email, in-person community events, and a network of community-based support groups spanning all provinces and territories.

Name

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Legal name

MS Canada

Website

https://mssociety.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

MS Canada is a national non-profit founded in 1948 that provides free support services, education, and advocacy for Canadians living with multiple sclerosis, while funding MS research through donations and event-based fundraising including MS Bike and MS Walk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multiple Sclerosis Support and Advocacy Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Multiple sclerosis support
• Disease education services
• Peer support programs
• Charitable health research
• Community fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MS Canada delivers free support, education, and advocacy services to Canadians living with multiple sclerosis and their families, including the MS Navigator personalized support service, peer support programs, MS Support Groups, and the Quality of Life Equipment Program. The organization funds MS research through grants and provides public education about the disease, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. Revenue is generated through charitable donations, fundraising events (MS Bike, MS Walk, We Challenge MS), and community giving campaigns.

Product overview

MS Canada operates as a service-oriented nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of programs and resources for Canadians affected by multiple sclerosis. The organization's digital offerings are delivered through its website platform, which integrates support services (MS Navigator, MS Knowledge Network, peer support programs), educational resources (MS 101 sessions, wellness programs, blog content), and fundraising events (MS Bike, MS Walk, We Challenge MS). The portfolio functions as a unified support ecosystem connecting individuals with information, peer networks, healthcare resources, and community engagement opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• We Talk MS: Virtual peer support program connecting MS community members
• MS Bike
• MS Walk
• We Challenge MS

Products and services

• MS Navigator Service Personalized support service that connects individuals with MS Navigators from the MS Knowledge Network for disease, treatment, and support information customized to their MS journey. Available to people living with MS and their families via live chat, phone, and email.
• MS Knowledge Network A network of healthcare professionals and resources providing disease, treatment, and support information to the Canadian MS community, accessed primarily through the MS Navigator Service.
• MS Support Groups Peer support groups connecting individuals living with MS for mutual support and community engagement, including specialized cohorts such as the 2SLGBTQI+ MS Support Group.
• 1:1 Peer Support One-on-one peer matching service that connects individuals newly diagnosed or seeking support with others who share similar MS experiences.
• We Talk MS Virtual community platform connecting Canadians affected by MS for peer conversations and mutual support.
• Quality of Life Equipment Program Program providing equipment and resources to enhance quality of life for people living with MS.
• MS 101 – Newly Diagnosed Sessions

Quantifiable outcome

• Canada is recognized as a global leader in MS research, with research contributions advancing MS treatment and care, understanding disease progression, and working toward prevention.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: The largest MS-focused nonprofit in the United States, providing research funding, support services, advocacy, and fundraising events. Most direct international comparable given identical disease focus, service model, and revenue approach.
• MS Society UK: The UK's leading MS charity, offering research funding, information, peer support, and policy advocacy. Closely comparable mission and service architecture to MS Canada despite operating in a different national health system.
• MS Australia: Australia's national MS organization funding research and delivering support services to people living with MS. Directly comparable in mission, national scope, and integrated research-plus-service model.
• Multiple Sclerosis Foundation: US-based MS nonprofit providing direct support services, education, and financial assistance programs to people living with MS. Comparable in the service-delivery and quality-of-life program layers of MS Canada's portfolio.

Regional players

• ALS Society of Canada: Canadian disease-specific nonprofit offering support services, advocacy, and research funding for ALS patients. Comparable as a fellow national Canadian health charity with similar structure, fundraising events, and service portfolio.
• Crohn's and Colitis Canada: Canadian disease-specific nonprofit funding research and supporting patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Closely comparable as a mid-sized Canadian disease-focused charity with research and patient support programs.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Cancer Society: One of Canada's largest health charities, funding cancer research, providing support services, and running nationwide advocacy and fundraising campaigns. Comparable in scale, national scope, and integrated research-plus-support model.
• Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Major Canadian health charity funding research, delivering public health education, and running national fundraising campaigns. Comparable in national reach, event-based fundraising, and multi-program structure.
• Diabetes Canada: National Canadian charity supporting research, advocacy, and education for people living with diabetes. Comparable disease-specific nonprofit with similar research funding and patient support service architecture.

Others

• March of Dimes Canada: Canadian nonprofit supporting people with disabilities through programs, advocacy, and community engagement. Comparable as a fellow Canadian health/disability-focused charity with similar service-delivery and fundraising structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mssocietycanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/37695

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada