Brain Support Network
Brain Support Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that coordinates brain donations, caregiver support, and education for U.S. families affected by neurodegenerative disorders including LBD, PSP, MSA, CBD, Parkinson's, and FTD.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersMenlo Park, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Brain Support Network does
Brain Support Network (BSN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2012 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, that provides brain donation coordination, caregiver support, and educational resources for families in the United States affected by neurodegenerative disorders — primarily Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), Parkinson's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and early-onset Alzheimer's. Its core service is end-to-end coordination of the brain donation process across pathology specialists, funeral homes, hospice agencies, care facilities, and brain banks; BSN does not charge fees for coordination and has helped over 1,500 families complete donations, with most tissue routed to the Mayo Clinic brain bank in Jacksonville, Florida. Diagnostic accuracy from clinical neurology alone is low (BSN cites over 50% misdiagnosis), so a confirmed post-mortem diagnosis — typically delivered within 3-4 months — is positioned as a primary functional benefit.
BSN's commercial model is donation-based rather than transactional: services are free to families, who are requested to make a pay-it-forward charitable contribution of at least $750; the organization also accepts vehicle donations, donor-advised funds, publicly traded securities, employer matching, and bequests, and partners with CurePSP to administer reimbursement grants of up to $750-$1,000 for PSP/CBD/MSA/FTD/PPA/Pick's donors. The go-to-market is community-led, combining Northern/Central California support groups, virtual groups, email newsletters (up to two per month), a blog, social media, and recurring co-hosted symposia and webinars with Stanford, UCSF, and Mayo Clinic researchers. Referrals are driven by neurologists, social workers, hospice agencies, and disorder-specific advocacy organizations (LBDA, Parkinson's Foundation, Mission MSA, AFTD, APDA). There is no proprietary technology product; BSN operates as a direct-service nonprofit and does not serve New York.
Brain Support Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Brain Support Network
- Legal name
- Brain Support Network
- Website
- https://brainsupportnetwork.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Brain Support Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that coordinates brain donations, caregiver support, and education for U.S. families affected by neurodegenerative disorders including LBD, PSP, MSA, CBD, Parkinson's, and FTD.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Brain Support Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Healthcare Support Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Family Caregiver Training & Dementia Coaching (HSABAEAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dementia Care Coordination & Care Planning (HSABAEAJ), Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care Management & Behavioral Support (HLADALAF)
Keywords
Where Brain Support Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Menlo Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Brain Support Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Charitable Contributions and Donations: Brain Support Network relies entirely on charitable donations from families it assists and the general public. BSN charges no fee for its brain donation coordination services. It requests that families make a charitable contribution (typically $750 or more) on a pay-it-forward basis so that past families' contributions enable BSN to help future families. Families without means may request memorial donations in lieu of flowers to BSN. BSN also accepts a wide range of donation types including credit card, check, vehicle donations (via CARS), publicly traded securities, donor-advised fund (DAF) contributions, Facebook Fundraisers, employer gift matching, ecommerce affiliate programs (iGive), and beneficiary designations of bequests, life insurance, and retirement plans. Employer gift matching is also encouraged.
- Government and Foundation Grants (implied): BSN references affiliated non-profit organizations that provide grants to families for brain donation costs for certain disorders (e.g., CurePSP provides grants for PSP, CBD, MSA families). BSN itself provides small grants to families with financial need for PD, LBD, and early-onset Alzheimer's brain donations to the Mayo Clinic.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free coordination services; charitable contribution of ~$750 requested |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels11 records
Brain Support Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Brain Support Network facilitates the full brain donation process for families affected by neurodegenerative disorders, coordinating logistics with brain banks, hospices, pathologists, and funeral providers. It also runs condition-specific caregiver support groups, publishes extensive educational resources covering Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and early-onset Alzheimer's, and provides small financial assistance grants to families in need.
Product overview
Brain Support Network (BSN) is a non-profit organization that operates as a coordination and support services organization, not a technology platform. The core offerings include brain donation facilitation services (coordinating between families, brain banks, pathology specialists, funeral homes, and hospice agencies), support groups (local and virtual), educational resources about four atypical parkinsonism disorders (LBD, PSP, MSA, CBD), email newsletters, educational events/webinars, and financial assistance grants for brain donation costs. These services are delivered through human case managers, website content, email communication, and in-person/virtual gatherings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- BSN has helped over 1,500 families successfully accomplish brain donation in the US.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Brain Support Network
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Brain Support Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Brain Support Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Mayo Clinic Brain Bank (Jacksonville, Florida)coreThe Mayo Clinic brain bank in Jacksonville, Florida is the primary brain bank for BSN-coordinated donations. BSN has helped over 1,500 families, most donating to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. Mayo Clinic's brain bank is led by Dr. Dennis Dickson (one of the nation's top neuropathologists), offers a 3–4 month turnaround for neuropathology reports, and has published extensively on neurodegenerative disorders. Mayo does not require donors to have been patients there, has no annual case limit, and accepts a broad range of neurological diagnoses.
- Mayo Clinic Brain Bank (Rochester, Minnesota)minorThe Mayo Clinic brain bank in Rochester, Minnesota is a secondary recipient of brain donations coordinated by BSN. Mayo Rochester has a 6-month turnaround for neuropathology reports. Some donations go to Rochester instead of Jacksonville depending on the donor's diagnosis and circumstances.
- Stanford UniversitycoreStanford University is both a brain bank partner and co-host of educational events. BSN co-hosted the MSA Symposium with Stanford in May 2024 and the LBD: Future Directions webinar featuring Stanford's Dr. Abdelnour in April 2025. BSN also hosts webinars with Stanford experts such as Dr. Miglis (orthostatic hypotension) and Dr. Samudra (PSP and CBD overview). BSN maintains a relationship with Stanford's Parkinson's Community Outreach program.
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Memory and Aging CentercoreUCSF is both a brain bank partner and co-host of educational events. BSN co-hosted the PSP/CBD Symposium in June 2024 with UCSF. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Adam Boxer of UCSF's Memory and Aging Center have been involved in BSN's educational programs. UCSF researchers have utilized brain tissue from BSN-coordinated donations for landmark studies.
- University of California, Davis (UC Davis)minorBSN has helped people donate tissue to the UC Davis brain bank. UC Davis is one of several university-affiliated brain banks that receive donations coordinated by BSN.
- Columbia UniversityminorBSN has helped people donate tissue to Columbia University's brain bank.
- University of MiamiminorBSN has helped people donate tissue to the University of Miami's brain bank.
- HarvardminorBSN has helped people donate tissue to Harvard-affiliated brain banks.
- Northwestern UniversityminorBSN has helped people donate tissue to Northwestern University's brain bank.
- Rush UniversityminorBSN has helped people donate tissue to Rush University's brain bank.
- CurePSPcoreCurePSP is a nonprofit that provides reimbursement grants of up to $750–$1,000 to families whose loved ones have PSP, CBD, MSA, FTD, PPA, or Pick's disorder, upon submission of receipts and a W9 tax form, for brain donations to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. BSN refers families to CurePSP for these grants and works in partnership to reduce the financial burden of brain donation.
- Mission MSA (formerly MSA Coalition)minorMission MSA (formerly the MSA Coalition) is a partner organization that refers families to BSN. BSN co-hosted educational events with Mission MSA and ElevenLabs expanded voice cloning support through a Mission MSA partnership. Mission MSA is listed as a referral source on BSN's email list signup form.
- The Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)minorAFTD is a partner organization listed as a referral source through which families find BSN. AFTD focuses on frontotemporal degeneration disorders, which are among the conditions BSN assists with brain donation.
- FTD Disorders RegistryminorThe FTD Disorders Registry is listed as a referral source through which families find BSN.
- Parkinson's FoundationminorThe Parkinson's Foundation is listed as a referral source through which families find BSN. Parkinson's Foundation focuses on Parkinson's Disease, which overlaps with BSN's disorder coverage.
- American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)minorThe American Parkinson Disease Association is listed as a referral source through which families find BSN.
- Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA)minorThe Lewy Body Dementia Association is listed as a referral source through which families find BSN. LBDA focuses on LBD, one of the four primary disorders BSN supports.
- CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)minorBSN has engaged CARS to manage donations of vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, trailers, and RVs) to the benefit of BSN. CARS handles the paperwork and transportation of donated vehicles to auction. BSN receives 75% of the net proceeds.
- Stanford Parkinson's Community OutreachminorStanford Parkinson's Community Outreach program is listed as a referral source through which families find BSN.
- ElevenLabsminorElevenLabs partnered with Mission MSA to expand voice cloning support for those with MSA, and this partnership is featured on BSN's blog, indicating a relationship between ElevenLabs' technology and the MSA community that BSN serves.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Brain Support Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Family Caregiver Alliance: National nonprofit providing caregiver support, education, and care planning resources. Overlaps with BSN's caregiver training and family support services for neurodegenerative disorders.
Broad incumbents
- Alzheimer's Association: Large national nonprofit providing Alzheimer's education, support, and research funding. Overlaps with BSN for early-onset Alzheimer's families and caregiver support.
Direct peers
- Parkinson's Foundation: Large national nonprofit funding Parkinson's research and providing family/caregiver support. Listed as a BSN referral source, with overlapping PD family audience.
- American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA): National nonprofit providing Parkinson's education, support, and research funding. Listed as a BSN referral source, serving overlapping PD families.
- Brain Donor Project: Nonprofit focused on registering brain donors for the NIH NeuroBioBank. Most direct functional peer to BSN's brain donation coordination mission, operating a different bank pipeline.
- Mission MSA (formerly MSA Coalition): Nonprofit dedicated to Multiple System Atrophy that co-hosts educational events with BSN and refers families to BSN for brain donation coordination.
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD): Nonprofit serving FTD, PPA, and Pick's families with education, support, and research funding. Listed as a BSN referral source and shares focus on brain donation and caregiver support.
- Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA): National nonprofit supporting LBD families through education, support groups, and research promotion. BSN lists LBDA as a referral source and they serve overlapping patient populations.
- CurePSP: Nonprofit focused on PSP, CBD, and MSA that provides reimbursement grants for brain donation costs to the Mayo Clinic. Directly overlaps with BSN on brain donation coordination, family support, and education for the same disorders.
Regional players
- FTD Disorders Registry: Patient registry connecting FTD-affected families to research and resources. Listed as a BSN referral source for families seeking brain donation pathways.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Brain Support Network social profiles
Digital presenceBrain Support Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Brain Support Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Brain Support Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Brain Support Network 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 Brain Support Network
What does Brain Support Network do?
Brain Support Network facilitates the full brain donation process for families affected by neurodegenerative disorders, coordinating logistics with brain banks, hospices, pathologists, and funeral providers. It also runs condition-specific caregiver support groups, publishes extensive educational resources covering Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and early-onset Alzheimer's, and provides small financial assistance grants to families in need.
Is Brain Support Network a public or private company?
Brain Support Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Brain Support Network founded?
Brain Support Network was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Brain Support Network based?
Brain Support Network is headquartered in Menlo Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Brain Support Network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Charitable Contributions and Donations are the primary driver. The others are government and Foundation Grants (implied).
Who are Brain Support Network's main competitors?
Family Caregiver Alliance is listed as an emerging player. Alzheimer's Association is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Parkinson's Foundation, American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Brain Donor Project, Mission MSA (formerly MSA Coalition), The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) and CurePSP. FTD Disorders Registry is listed as a regional player.
Does Brain Support Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Brain Support Network.
What industry is Brain Support Network in?
Brain Support Network's product category is Nonprofit Healthcare Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSABAEAI, Family Caregiver Training & Dementia Coaching, with a secondary code of HSABAEAJ, Dementia Care Coordination & Care Planning. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.