Parkinson Foundation

What Parkinson Foundation does

The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA), operating as parkinsonfoundation.org, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Olney, Maryland (with donated office space in Silver Spring). The organization provides exercise, communication, and education programs for people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Core offerings include approximately 35 live wellness classes per week (in-person and via Zoom) covering boxing, dance, Big & Loud, tai chi, general/seated exercise, and vocal strengthening; a network of 40+ support groups; an annual PFNCA Symposium educational conference; the annual Walk Off Parkinson's fundraising event; and the AMP Mobile outreach vehicle. Programs are developed and reviewed by a Medical Advisory Board of Parkinson's specialists, with no proprietary technology platform—the stack is built on standard web tools (WordPress, Square checkout, Zoom, QR-code attendance tracking).

In fiscal year 2025, PFNCA served more than 2,000–2,500 people impacted by Parkinson's and delivered 2,600 wellness classes, a 12% increase over the prior year. The organization's revenue model is predominantly donation-based, including individual contributions, the Walk Off Parkinson's event (which raised over $220,000 in 2025), corporate sponsorships from healthcare companies such as AbbVie and Amneal Biosciences, planned giving, and a Leadership Circle for gifts of $1,000 or more. Program-generated revenue is minimal: a $50 annual administrative fee per wellness program registrant and a $30 per-household Symposium fee, both with scholarships available. PFNCA operates with a small staff of approximately 5–6 people—including President & CEO Jared D. Cohen, Director of Operations Jan Hatherell, and a Support Group Specialist—and depends on donated office space (entering its ninth year) and in-kind support (over $602,000 in FY2025) to keep overhead low, with more than 80 cents of every dollar directed to program activities. The organization is independent of any national Parkinson's body and is recognized by Spur Local as a Critical Nonprofit in the Greater Washington region since 2014.

Name

Parkinson Foundation

Legal name

Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area

Website

https://parkinsonfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing exercise, communication, and education programs—including 35+ weekly wellness classes—for people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parkinson's Disease Wellness Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSABANAE

Specialized Adult Day Programs (Parkinson’s, Stroke, MS, etc.)

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Adult Day Care & Senior Day Programs

SECONDARYHSADAAAA

General Personal Training (In-Person & Virtual)

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Personal Training (In-Person & Virtual)

SECONDARYHSABABAJ

Parkinson’s & Movement-Disorder Personal Care Support

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Personal Care Assistance (ADLs)

SECONDARYHLADAIAE

Adult Day Nursing & Chronic Disease Management Programs

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Adult Day Health Care & Senior Day Care

Keywords

• Parkinson's wellness programs
• Exercise and education
• Nonprofit health services
• Community wellness classes
• Neurological disease support

Headquarters

HQ city

Olney

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting Parkinson's programs and services.
2. Event Fundraising: Annual Walk Off Parkinson's awareness and fundraising event raising over $220,000 in 2025.
3. Wellness Program Registration: $50 annual administrative fee per individual registration for wellness classes, with scholarships available for those who cannot afford.
4. PFNCA Symposium Registration: $30 per household registration fee for the annual educational conference.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Event and program sponsorships from healthcare companies and senior living communities.
6. Planned Giving: Bequests and legacy gifts through wills and estate planning.
7. Leadership Circle: Annual gifts of $1,000 or more with special recognition, and naming opportunities starting at $15,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PFNCA provides approximately 35 weekly wellness classes (in-person and online via Zoom) for people with Parkinson's disease, covering exercise modalities such as boxing, dance, Big & Loud, general/seated exercise, and communication/vocal strengthening programs. The organization also delivers an annual educational symposium, a network of 40+ support groups, community-based outreach via the AMP Mobile resource unit, and a Walk Off Parkinson's fundraising event serving the National Capital Area (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.).

Product overview

The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of wellness and educational programs for people affected by Parkinson's disease. The core offering is approximately 35 weekly wellness classes (in-person and online via Zoom) covering exercise modalities (boxing, dance, Big & Loud, general/seated exercise) and communication programs (vocal strengthening, choir). Signature programs include the annual PFNCA Symposium (educational conference), Walk Off Parkinson's (annual fundraising walk), and the AMP Mobile (outreach vehicle). Additional offerings include a network of 40+ support groups, the Parkinson's Pointers lecture series, free recorded exercise videos, the Parkinson's Scorecard self-assessment tool, and a free resource pack for newly diagnosed patients. The organization serves the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.) with programming that combines exercise, communication, and education to strengthen physical and emotional health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AMP Mobile: The Parkinson's Mobile Resource Unit - a vehicle used to share information about Parkinson's Disease in community settings, launched in July 2019.
• PFNCA Symposium
• Walk Off Parkinson's

Products and services

• PFNCA Wellness Classes Weekly exercise and communication classes designed for people with Parkinson's disease, offered in-person at senior living community partners across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. and online via Zoom. Includes boxing, dance, Big & Loud, general exercise, seated exercise, and communication/vocal strengthening programs. Registration requires a $50 annual administrative fee, with scholarships available.
• PFNCA Symposium Annual educational conference produced by the Medical Advisory Board featuring lectures from Parkinson's specialists on treatment, research, and care. Delivered via live virtual launch and on-demand sessions for $30 per household registration.
• Walk Off Parkinson's Annual awareness and fundraising walk held at Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Park, Bethesda, MD, featuring physician lectures, Ask A Therapist stations, and community resources for those affected by Parkinson's disease. Raised over $220,000 in 2025.
• Support Groups Network of more than 40 area support groups for people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners, including a recently diagnosed support group offered via Zoom for DC, MD, and VA residents.
• AMP Mobile (Parkinson's Mobile Resource Unit) A former fire command unit converted into a mobile resource vehicle that travels throughout the region sharing information about Parkinson's disease, featuring educational videos, physician lectures, a Parkinson's lending library, and interactive activities at community events.
• Parkinson's Pointers Lecture Series Free lecture series featuring physician presentations on Parkinson's topics with live Q&A sessions, streamed to various locations with refreshments served.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,600 wellness classes provided in 2025, a 12% increase year-over-year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brooke Grove Retirement VillagecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner providing space for PFNCA wellness classes. Located at 18131 Slade School Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860. Brooke Grove also supports the Parkinson's Mobile Resource Unit.
• Kensington Park Senior LivingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner located at 3620 Littledale Road, Kensington, Maryland. Provides space for PFNCA boxing for Parkinson's classes.
• The Kensington Falls ChurchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 700 W Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. Provides space for PFNCA communication classes.
• The Kensington RestoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 11501 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Provides space for PFNCA exercise for Parkinson's classes.
• The Kensington BethesdacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 5485 Westbard Ave., Bethesda, MD 20816.
• Chevy Chase HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 5420 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015.
• Inspir Embassy RowminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 2100 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.
• The Landing AlexandriaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 2620 Main Line Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22301.
• The Preston of RockvilleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 55 W Gude Dr., Rockville MD, 20850.
• Sunrise at Silas Burke HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSenior living community partner at 9619 Burke Lake Rd., Burke VA 22015.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brian Grant Foundation: Foundation providing exercise, wellness, and education programs for people with Parkinson's disease. Operates with a similar nonprofit, evidence-based wellness programming model as PFNCA.
• Davis Phinney Foundation: National Parkinson's nonprofit focused on helping people with Parkinson's live well today through education, exercise, and community programs. Highly comparable to PFNCA's exercise and education-centered wellness approach.
• American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA): National nonprofit delivering Parkinson's information, education, and support through a network of regional chapters. Closely comparable to PFNCA in mission, programming mix (exercise, education, support groups), and community-based delivery model.
• InMotion: Cleveland-based nonprofit providing free, evidence-based exercise, therapy, and wellness programs for people with Parkinson's. Closely comparable community-based Parkinson's wellness model with similar exercise, education, and support focus.
• Houston Area Parkinson Society: Regional Parkinson's nonprofit serving the Houston area with exercise, education, support, and community programs. Highly comparable to PFNCA's regional, community-based Parkinson's wellness operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Parkinson's Foundation: The largest US national nonprofit focused on Parkinson's disease, providing research funding, education, and local programming through regional chapters. Directly comparable to PFNCA's education and community-based programming mission, but operates at national scale rather than a single metro.
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: The largest US funder of Parkinson's research. Comparable mission-adjacent nonprofit competing for Parkinson's-cause donations and donor mindshare, though primarily focused on research funding rather than community wellness programs.

Emerging players

• Rock Steady Boxing: National non-contact boxing-based fitness program franchise specifically designed for people with Parkinson's disease. Comparable as a Parkinson's-specific exercise program, but operates via affiliate gym model rather than direct nonprofit programming.
• LSVT Global: Developer of the LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD evidence-based therapy programs widely used by people with Parkinson's disease. Comparable as a Parkinson's-specific exercise/communication program provider whose training and certification programs are commonly adopted in clinics serving the same population.

Regional players

• Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center (Barrow Neurological Institute): Major Parkinson's clinical and research center in Phoenix offering multidisciplinary care, exercise programs, and education for people with Parkinson's. Comparable as a Parkinson's-specific wellness and education provider, though based at a hospital-affiliated research center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PFNCA
• Instagraminstagram.com/pfnca
• Xx.com/pfnca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Parkinson Foundation