Race to Erase MS
Race to Erase MS is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit foundation, founded in 1995 by Nancy Davis, that funds multiple sclerosis research through its Center Without Walls program linking eight premier US research institutions, raising capital primarily via annual galas, donations, and branded merchandise.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Race to Erase MS does
Race to Erase MS is a California-based nonprofit foundation founded in 1995 by Nancy Davis following her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. The organization is dedicated to funding MS research and advancing the treatment and ultimate cure of the disease, operating from its headquarters at 1875 Century Park East, Suite 280, Los Angeles. Its core program is the Center Without Walls (CWW), a curated network that links eight premier MS research institutions across the United States (Cedars-Sinai, Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Johns Hopkins, OHSU, UCLA, UCSF, USC Keck Medicine, and Yale) to coordinate multidisciplinary scientific programs and accelerate therapeutic development.
The foundation's operational offerings include the CWW research funding program, the annual MS Forum & Virtual Expo (an educational event connecting patients and researchers with CWW scientists), the signature Annual Gala (32nd annual in 2025 raised over $1.5 million; 33rd scheduled for June 5, 2026 at the Fairmont Century Plaza), an online merchandise shop featuring collaborations such as the Shepard Fairey/Studio Number One "Orange You Happy to Erase MS" t-shirt, and a year-round online donation platform. The foundation reports that 71-72% of every dollar donated is directed to research through the Center Without Walls program.
The revenue model is philanthropy-based, relying on individual donations, corporate sponsorships, gala ticket sales and sponsorships, branded merchandise proceeds, and percentage-based contributions from adaptive product partners (Cadense, ThermApparel). Distribution and engagement occur through the erasems.org website, social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram), an email newsletter, blog content, MS Awareness Month campaigns (May), and in-person events in Los Angeles. Pharma companies (Biogen, Genentech, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, TG Therapeutics) participate as Virtual Expo exhibitors at the MS Forum, providing an additional non-donation engagement channel. The foundation serves MS patients and families as its primary beneficiary population, with donors, supporters, and corporate partners as the paying customer base.
Race to Erase MS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Race to Erase MS
- Legal name
- Race to Erase MS
- Website
- https://erasems.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Race to Erase MS is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit foundation, founded in 1995 by Nancy Davis, that funds multiple sclerosis research through its Center Without Walls program linking eight premier US research institutions, raising capital primarily via annual galas, donations, and branded merchandise.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Race to Erase MS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Health Research Foundation
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- 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 industry
- Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)
Keywords
Where Race to Erase MS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Race to Erase MS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Race to Erase MS raises funds through donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and supporters. The organization states that 71-72% of every dollar donated funds vital research through their Center Without Walls program.
- Gala Events: The organization hosts annual gala events, including the 32nd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala which raised over $1.5 million. The 33rd Annual Gala is scheduled for June 5, 2026 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
- Merchandise Shop: The organization operates an online shop selling merchandise such as the 'Orange You Happy to Erase MS' t-shirt designed by Shepard Fairey and Studio Number One. Proceeds support MS research.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Race to Erase MS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Race to Erase MS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that raises funds to support multiple sclerosis research through its Center Without Walls program, a curated network of leading U.S. MS research institutions. The foundation channels donations, gala proceeds, and merchandise sales into research grants, and convenes patients and scientists through the MS Forum & Virtual Expo and an annual celebrity-attended gala.
Product overview
Race to Erase MS is a nonprofit foundation operating primarily through its Center Without Walls (CWW) program, a collaborative research network connecting the nation's top MS research institutions including Cedars-Sinai, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, OHSU, UCLA, UCSF, USC, and Yale. The organization's core offerings include the CWW research funding program, the MS Forum & Virtual Expo educational events, annual gala fundraising events, an online merchandise shop, and a donation system. The foundation does not offer a technology product platform but rather serves as a research funding and advocacy organization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Center Without Walls Program A collaborative research network funding the nation's top MS research centers including Cedars-Sinai, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, OHSU, UCLA, UCSF, USC, and Yale to advance understanding of MS causes and develop new treatments. Benefits MS researchers and ultimately MS patients.
- MS Forum & Virtual Expo One-of-a-kind educational event and on-demand video archive connecting patients and researchers with leading multiple sclerosis scientists from the Center Without Walls program through discussions and webinars. Open to MS patients, caregivers, and the broader MS community.
- Annual Race to Erase MS Gala Annual celebrity-attended fundraising gala held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles bringing together supporters, celebrities, and scientists to fund MS research through ticket sales and corporate sponsorships. Open to gala attendees and corporate sponsors.
- Shop to Erase MS (Online Merchandise Shop) Online storefront at shop.erasems.org selling branded merchandise such as the limited-run 'Orange You Happy to Erase MS' t-shirt designed by Shepard Fairey and Studio Number One, with proceeds supporting MS research. Open to consumers and supporters.
- Online Donation System Online donation platform supporting the Center Without Walls program, allowing donors to make general donations or tribute gifts in honor of family and friends. 71–72% of every dollar goes directly to fund MS research. Open to individual donors and corporate contributors.
Quantifiable outcome
- 71-72% of every dollar donated goes directly to fund vital MS research through the Center Without Walls program
Companies that use Race to Erase MS
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Race to Erase MS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Race to Erase MS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.
- Cedars-SinaicoreCedars-Sinai is one of the premier MS research institutions in the Center Without Walls network. Their Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center offers advanced treatment with access to cutting-edge research and clinical trials. The center provides comprehensive patient care and serves as a designated National Multiple Sclerosis Society Partner in MS Comprehensive Care.
- Harvard Medical School (Brigham and Women's Hospital)coreHarvard Medical School, through the Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, is a leading institution in MS research. The center provides comprehensive patient care, innovative technology, and ongoing clinical research studies directed by Dr. Howard Weiner. It is home to the CLIMB study which has yielded over 150 scientific publications on MS.
- Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreJohns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Precision Medicine Center of Excellence is a leading MS center caring for over 3500 patients annually. The center has 11 physicians, 1 PA, 4 nurses, and over 20 research staff conducting pharma-sponsored and investigator-initiated drug trials.
- Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU)coreOHSU Multiple Sclerosis Center offers robust clinical care with eight neurologists and provides ongoing care to over 1,500 people with MS. The center is a National MS Society Center for Comprehensive MS Care and leads research in wellness and complementary management approaches in MS.
- UCLAcoreUCLA Health is ranked #1 in Los Angeles, #1 in California, and #3 in the nation. The UCLA MS Program, led by Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, translates basic neuroscience findings to novel clinical trials in MS. UCLA joined the Nancy Davis Center Without Walls in 2019 as the most recent site.
- UCSFcoreUCSF Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroinflammation Center is one of the premier centers in California for caring for MS patients and other inflammatory diseases of the nervous system. The center has 12 neurologists, 1 nurse practitioner, 4 nurses, and a large number of research staff.
- USC (Keck Medicine of USC)coreUSC Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center & Research Group is the largest referral center for MS patients in greater Southern California. Recognized as an 'MS Comprehensive Care Center and Partner in MS' by the National MS Society, it is the only center in Southern California with a 7 Tesla MRI and partners with California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
- Yale UniversitycoreYale's Multiple Sclerosis research program, led by Dr. David Hafler, is part of the Center Without Walls network. Yale researchers contribute to understanding MS pathogenic pathways and developing novel therapeutic options.
- BiogenminorBiogen participates in the MS Forum & Virtual Expo as a Virtual Expo exhibitor, providing information about their MS treatment options and patient support programs including the Know Your Options and Legacy of Leadership patient resources.
- Genentech (Ocrevus)minorGenentech participates in the MS Forum & Virtual Expo as a Virtual Expo exhibitor, providing information about Ocrevus patient stories and support resources for MS patients.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb (Zeposia)minorBristol-Myers Squibb participates in the MS Forum & Virtual Expo as a Virtual Expo exhibitor, providing information about Zeposia (ozanimod) for relapsing MS including clinical study results and support programs.
- NovartisminorNovartis participates in the MS Forum & Virtual Expo as a Virtual Expo exhibitor, providing information about Kesimpta (ofatumumab) for relapsing MS treatment.
- TG Therapeutics (Briumvi)minorTG Therapeutics participates in the MS Forum & Virtual Expo as a Virtual Expo exhibitor, providing information about Briumvi for people impacted by immune diseases.
- National Multiple Sclerosis SocietymoderateSeveral Center Without Walls institutions are designated Partners in MS Comprehensive Care by the National MS Society, including Cedars-Sinai and OHSU. The Marilyn Hilton MS Achievement Center at UCLA is a collaborative effort of the UCLA Department of Neurology and the National MS Society.
- Shepard Fairey and Studio Number OneminorArtist Shepard Fairey and Studio Number One designed the limited-run 'Orange You Happy to Erase MS' graphic t-shirt sold through the organization's shop to raise funds for MS research.
- CadenseminorCadense is an adaptive footwear brand whose products help people with walking difficulties, including those with MS. The company offers 10% off with code EraseMS and 15% of all proceeds benefit Race to Erase MS.
- ThermApparelminorThermApparel created the UnderCool cooling vest for people with heat sensitivity, including those with MS. 15% of all proceeds from their products benefit Race to Erase MS.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Race to Erase MS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Largest U.S. MS nonprofit funding research and providing services; competes directly with Race to Erase MS for MS-specific donor dollars and research grants.
- Multiple Sclerosis Foundation: MS-focused nonprofit providing education, support, and research funding; directly comparable disease-specific health charity serving overlapping donor and patient audiences.
- International Progressive MS Alliance: Global alliance funding research into progressive forms of MS; directly comparable collaborative research-funding model across multiple institutions.
- Susan G. Komen: Disease-specific nonprofit with an iconic annual fundraising event and research grantmaking across top institutions; analogous gala-driven, multi-site research model.
- ALS Association: Disease-specific nonprofit funding research and care for ALS; highly comparable operating model — event-driven fundraising, top research center network, and disease-modifying research focus.
- Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis: MS-focused nonprofit funding research and curating patient data to accelerate treatments; directly comparable research-funding peer with similar grantmaking model.
- Can Do MS: MS-focused nonprofit delivering lifestyle and wellness programs for people with MS; comparable disease-specific mission with overlapping patient and donor audiences.
- MS Association of America (MSAA): National MS nonprofit offering programs, services, and research funding; another direct peer pursuing MS-specific philanthropy from a similar donor base.
Emerging players
- Myelin Repair Foundation: Smaller MS-focused research foundation pursuing myelin repair therapies; overlapping grantmaking model but narrower research remit than Race to Erase MS.
Broad incumbents
- Conrad N. Hilton Foundation: Large private foundation funding health and medical research among other causes; comparable grantmaking role but at much larger scale and broader scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Race to Erase MS social profiles
Digital presenceRace to Erase MS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Race to Erase MS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Race to Erase MS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Race to Erase MS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Race to Erase MS
What does Race to Erase MS do?
Race to Erase MS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that raises funds to support multiple sclerosis research through its Center Without Walls program, a curated network of leading U.S. MS research institutions. The foundation channels donations, gala proceeds, and merchandise sales into research grants, and convenes patients and scientists through the MS Forum & Virtual Expo and an annual celebrity-attended gala.
Is Race to Erase MS a public or private company?
Race to Erase MS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Race to Erase MS founded?
Race to Erase MS was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Race to Erase MS based?
Race to Erase MS is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Race to Erase MS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are gala Events and merchandise Shop.
Who are Race to Erase MS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, International Progressive MS Alliance, Susan G. Komen, ALS Association, Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, Can Do MS and MS Association of America (MSAA). Myelin Repair Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Race to Erase MS have an API?
No public API is recorded for Race to Erase MS.
What industry is Race to Erase MS in?
Race to Erase MS's product category is Nonprofit Health Research Foundation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813212 and its SIC code is 8300.