Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

What Parkinson’s Disease Foundation does

The Parkinson's Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1957 and headquartered in Miami, Florida (with a New York office), focused on improving care and advancing research toward a cure for Parkinson's disease. It was formed through the 2018 merger of the National Parkinson Foundation and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation and has invested over $513 million in Parkinson's research and clinical care since founding. The Foundation serves people with Parkinson's disease, their care partners, healthcare professionals, and Parkinson's researchers, with named beneficiary populations including the Hispanic/Latino community and U.S. veterans.

Its core products and programs include PD GENEration (a nationwide no-cost genetic testing and counseling initiative operating at 23 clinical sites and targeting 15,000 participants), the Parkinson's Outcomes Project (a longitudinal clinical study), the free Helpline (1-800-4PD-INFO), the PD Library (2,618+ educational resources), PD Trial Navigator (clinical trial matching), PD Conversations (online community), the Aware in Care hospital-safety program, and signature fundraising and awareness events such as Moving Day and Parkinson's Revolution. The Foundation's technology surface centers on the parkinson.org web platform, the AI-powered bilingual chatbot Ask PAM (Parkinson's Assistance Messenger, launched April 2026), and fitness-app integrations with Apple Health, Android Health Connect, Garmin, Strava, and Fitbit that credit activity toward fundraising campaigns.

The Foundation generates revenue exclusively through donations and fundraising — including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, planned giving/bequests, and signature events — and provides all patient, caregiver, and clinician services free of charge. Its go-to-market is community- and event-driven, combining digital content, social media, earned media and PSAs, the Helpline, local chapters, healthcare-system partnerships (Centers of Excellence, VA partnership), and coalition advocacy with peer organizations (the Michael J. Fox Foundation, APDA, CurePSP) and the WHO Foundation for international expansion.

Name

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

Legal name

Parkinson's Foundation

Website

https://parkinson.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Parkinson's Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Miami, that funds research, delivers free education and support services, and runs nationwide programs (PD GENEration, Moving Day, helpline, AI assistant Ask PAM) for people with Parkinson's, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Health Advocacy and Patient Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), 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), Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)

Keywords

• Parkinson's disease research
• Genetic testing services
• Patient education resources
• Caregiver support programs
• Nonprofit health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations (general gifts, tribute gifts, monthly giving), corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events including Moving Day, Parkinson's Revolution (indoor cycling), and other community events
2. Planned Giving: Bequests, estate planning, and planned giving programs for long-term donor relationships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (operating as the Parkinson's Foundation) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free educational resources, support services, genetic testing, and research programs for people with Parkinson's disease, their care partners, and healthcare professionals. Its core offerings include the PD GENEration genetic testing initiative, a toll-free helpline, the PD Library, PD Conversations online community, AI-powered Ask PAM chatbot, clinical trial matching, and signature fundraising events such as Moving Day. All services are offered at no cost and are funded through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Product overview

The Parkinson's Foundation offers a comprehensive suite of resources and programs for people with Parkinson's disease, structured as a platform of interconnected services. Key offerings include PD GENEration (genetic testing and counseling initiative), the AI-powered Ask PAM chatbot, a free Helpline, the PD Library (publications and educational content), PD Conversations (online community), and PD Trial Navigator (clinical trial matching). The Foundation also operates signature events like Moving Day, provides hospital safety resources through Aware in Care, and supports care partners via CareMAP video series and the Cumbre Para Cuidadores program. All services are available in both English and Spanish, with educational content delivered through Neuro Talk videos and Substantial Matters podcasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PD GENEration: A national initiative offering genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson's disease.
• Ask PAM
• Moving Day
• Aware in Care
• Parkinson's Revolution

Products and services

• PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson's Disease A national initiative offering genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson's disease. The study screens for seven genetic mutations linked to PD and connects participants with relevant clinical trials. Offered through 23 clinical sites in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic, plus at-home telehealth options.
• Ask PAM (Parkinson's Assistance Messenger) An AI-powered chat assistant providing general information and support related to Parkinson's disease through conversational text interactions, offering science-backed answers to user queries in English and Spanish.
• Helpline A free support helpline (1-800-4PD-INFO / 1-800-473-4636) offering assistance in English and Spanish, connecting people with Parkinson's and their families to resources and information. Available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM ET.
• PD Library A comprehensive resource library containing 2,618+ free resources including fact sheets, books, videos, podcasts, and audiobooks about Parkinson's disease, including the Substantial Matters podcast series.
• PD Conversations An online community forum where people with Parkinson's and care partners can ask experts, connect with others, and access peer support through discussion groups.
• Moving Day A nationwide movement-based fundraising event featuring walking, yoga, and activities to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's disease, with events held in communities across the country.
• PD Trial Navigator A clinical trial matching program that helps identify and connect potential participants with relevant Parkinson's disease clinical trials based on their profile.
• Aware in Care A hospital safety program that provides tools and resources to educate hospital staff about Parkinson's disease to ensure proper medication management during hospitalization.
• Hospital Safety Guide A resource guide helping people with Parkinson's navigate hospitalization and ensure they receive proper care and medication while in the hospital.
• Parkinson's Outcomes Project A landmark clinical study tracking outcomes for people with Parkinson's disease to improve care and advance research toward a cure.
• Neuro Talk A video series featuring expert explanations of Parkinson's disease topics including symptoms, myths, research, surgical options, and genetic testing.
• Substantial Matters Podcast A bilingual podcast series covering life and science topics related to Parkinson's disease, available in English and Spanish.
• Optimizing Care A national strategy initiative to improve patient-centered care for people with Parkinson's, focusing on expanding clinician expertise and developing integrated care models.
• Global Care Network A network of designated Parkinson's Foundation Centers of Excellence and care facilities providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for people with Parkinson's.
• Community Grants Grant programs supporting local communities, fitness facilities, and organizations providing Parkinson's services and programs.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WHO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Partnership aimed at improving access to medicines for Parkinson's disease (PD) in Africa, marking the Foundation's global expansion of care initiatives.
• National Alliance for Hispanic HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026Partnership to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease within Hispanic communities during Parkinson's Awareness Month 2026, centered on the 'Find Real Answers' campaign providing science-backed information through AI-powered chat assistant (Ask PAM), bilingual helpline, and interactive quiz in English and Spanish.
• National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 February 2026Co-host of Pump It For Parkinson's 2026 event on April 9, a nationwide movement-based event in its fourth year aimed at raising awareness for Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month with a goal of 50 million steps, featuring Hoop It for Parkinson's basketball event in Indianapolis.
• NuStepminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 February 2026Co-host of Pump It For Parkinson's 2026 event alongside NIFS and Parkinson's Foundation, supporting the movement-based fundraising initiative.
• American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Coalition partner in National Parkinson's Project, calling for urgent action to advance the first-ever federal initiative to prevent, diagnose, treat and cure Parkinson's disease.
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Coalition partner in National Parkinson's Project alongside APDA, Parkinson's Foundation, and CurePSP advocating for federal action on Parkinson's research and care.
• CurePSPcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Coalition partner in National Parkinson's Project alongside APDA, MJFF, and Parkinson's Foundation calling for urgent action from the National Advisory Council on Parkinson's Research.
• Fresco Network (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2020First international Parkinson's Foundation Network of Excellence, comprised of high-quality, patient-centered, multidisciplinary care facilities throughout Italy.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2020Partnership to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of veterans living with Parkinson's disease, providing specialized resources and support for the veteran PD community.
• AARP Family CaregivingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2020Partnership to provide tools, information, and resources for care partners of people living with Parkinson's disease, including collaboration on webinar series, digital and print resources, and participation in the online Parkinson's Foundation Care Partner Summit.
• Rock Steady BoxingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership supporting boxing therapy programs for Parkinson's patients, with Foundation grants helping establish programs at fitness facilities across the country.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ALS Association: A disease-specific health nonprofit supporting ALS research, care services, and advocacy with a comparable operating model of research funding, care services, local chapters, and fundraising events (Walks to Defeat ALS). Directly comparable in mission structure and operational approach, though focused on a different neurological disease.
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: The largest private funder of Parkinson's disease research globally and a direct peer in disease-focused fundraising, research grantmaking, and patient advocacy. Directly comparable as both target the same patient population with overlapping research and education programs, and is a current coalition partner in the National Parkinson's Project.
• Muscular Dystrophy Association: A disease-specific health nonprofit funding neuromuscular disease research and care services with a comparable structure of research grants, care centers, fundraising events (MDA Shamrocks, galas), and advocacy. Comparable operating model and patient advocacy focus on progressive neurological/movement disorders.
• American Parkinson Disease Association: A national Parkinson's disease nonprofit providing research funding, patient services, and education. Directly comparable in mission, target population, and program mix (helpline, local chapters, research grants), and is a coalition partner alongside the Foundation in the National Parkinson's Project.
• CurePSP: Nonprofit focused on prime of life neurodegeneration including atypical parkinsonism. Comparable as a disease-specific health nonprofit with overlapping research funding, education, and patient support missions, and coalition partner with the Foundation in the National Parkinson's Project.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: The largest US voluntary health organization focused on cancer, operating a model of research funding, patient services, helpline, and fundraising events (Relay For Life). Highly comparable in nonprofit operating model and disease-specific mission framework, though significantly larger and focused on oncology.
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: A large disease-specific health nonprofit supporting MS research and patient services with a comparable structure of research grants, helpline, local chapters, fundraising events (Walk MS, Bike MS), and Centers of Excellence. Comparable operating model and target demographic, though focused on a different neurological disease.
• Alzheimer's Association: The largest US nonprofit focused on Alzheimer's and related dementias, operating a similar model of research grantmaking, 24/7 helpline, local chapters, fundraising walks, and Centers of Excellence. Directly comparable in operating model and nonprofit structure, though focused on a different neurodegenerative disease with significantly larger scale.
• American Heart Association: A leading US voluntary health organization operating Centers of Excellence, research funding, patient education, and signature fundraising events (Heart Walk). Comparable in nonprofit operating model and nonprofit health mission framework, though focused on cardiovascular rather than neurological disease.

Emerging players

• Davis Phinney Foundation: A smaller Parkinson's-focused nonprofit emphasizing living well with PD through education, exercise programs, and tools. Comparable in PD-specific mission and patient education focus, but smaller scale and more narrowly focused on quality-of-life interventions rather than research and genetic testing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ParkinsonDotOrg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZYwe6WjTuyLWkYjLH_MQPA
• Facebookfacebook.com/parkinsondotorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parkinsondotorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/parkinsondotorg
• TikToktiktok.com/@parkinsondotorg

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Parkinson’s Disease Foundation