What National Headache Foundation does

The National Headache Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1970 and headquartered at 162 W Hubbard Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois. Its mission is to address headache and migraine disorders through patient education, advocacy, healthcare-provider training, and care-navigation support. NHF serves a heterogeneous audience including the ~42 million Americans affected by headache disorders, with specialized programs for veterans and active-duty military (Operation Brainstorm), students and young adults (Headache Campus, Migraine University), working adults and employers (NHF on the Job), and healthcare providers (Primary Care Migraine CME, AQH certification). Its core outputs are educational content, podcasts (HeadWise, NHF InSights, Taking Charge of Headache), webinars, self-screeners, headache tracking tools, a healthcare provider finder directory, and advocacy initiatives including Action4Access and the HEADACHE Act.

The foundation's business model is donation- and grant-driven, supplemented by sales of educational materials through an online store (Bonfire) and revenue from pharmaceutical company partnerships (Nurtec/Biohaven/Novartis, AbbVie, Axsome Therapeutics) that co-fund programs such as Operation Brainstorm, the Migraine Career Catalyst Award, and provider training. The technology stack consists of a WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant website and standard podcast distribution on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and social platforms; there are no proprietary software products, APIs, or AI-driven features. NHF holds a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (2025) and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and is governed by a board including nationally recognized headache specialists and led by CEO Katy Oakley (appointed September 2025) with Dr. Hope O'Brien as Board President (elected November 2025). The organization is actively operating with a small staff of 1-10 employees.

Name

National Headache Foundation

Legal name

National Headache Foundation

Website

https://headaches.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Headache Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 and headquartered in Chicago that provides education, advocacy, and care-navigation resources on headache and migraine disorders to patients, veterans, students, healthcare providers, employers, and caregivers across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Advocacy and Health Education Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Headache & Migraine Medicine (HLAKAIAE)

Keywords

• Headache education
• Migraine awareness
• Patient advocacy
• Nonprofit health resources
• Healthcare provider training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The National Headache Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in Chicago. The foundation relies on public donations and charitable contributions to fund its operations and programs. Donations can be made through the organization's website.
2. Program Services and Educational Materials: The foundation generates revenue through sales of educational materials, brochures, and resources. An online store is available through Bonfire for merchandise and educational materials.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The National Headache Foundation delivers educational programs, advocacy services, and digital tools focused on headache and migraine disorders. Core offerings include the HeadWise podcast series, Operation Brainstorm veteran-focused program, Action4Access care-navigation resource, Headache Campus/Migraine University student programs, NHF on the Job workplace program, and CME/certification programs for healthcare providers.

Product overview

The National Headache Foundation offers a portfolio of educational programs, digital tools, and professional resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The core offerings include HeadWise™ (podcast/videocast), Operation Brainstorm™ (veteran program), Action4Access™ (care access guide), Headache Campus™/Migraine University© (student resources), NHF on the Job™ (workplace program), Primary Care Migraine™ (CME course), and AQH© Certification (professional credential). Supporting tools include the Headache Provider Finder directory, Self-Screeners assessment tools, and Headache Diary tracking resources. NHF InSights™ Podcast and Taking Charge of Headache™ webinar series extend educational reach. These offerings work together to provide a comprehensive ecosystem supporting headache awareness, education, advocacy, and care access across different populations (general public, veterans, students, workers, healthcare providers).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Operation Brainstorm: A health resource initiative by NHF providing support, resources, and education to service members, veterans, and loved ones living with headache and migraine disease.
• Headache Campus
• Migraine University
• Action4Access
• HeadWise
• NHF on the Job
• Taking Charge of Headache
• NHF InSights
• Primary Care Migraine (PCM)
• Advanced Qualification in Headache (AQH)

Products and services

• HeadWise Podcast NHF's flagship podcast and videocast series featuring headache and migraine experts discussing timely issues, research updates, treatment options, and patient stories.
• Operation Brainstorm A comprehensive resource hub providing veteran-focused headache and migraine education, navigation resources, and tools for navigating VA and military health systems, including migraine survival toolkits.
• Action4Access A comprehensive guide to accessing headache care, including patient financial assistance, insurance coverage guidance, and resources to break down barriers to treatment.
• Headache Campus Resources helping students navigate academic accommodations, identify headache triggers, and access effective care while thriving academically.
• Migraine University Resources for young adults navigating headache and migraine care during the transition to adulthood and college.
• NHF on the Job Program fostering workplace awareness and promoting accommodations to help individuals with headache disorders maintain resilient and functional careers.
• Primary Care Migraine (PCM) A CME-accredited educational program for healthcare providers to improve understanding and management of headache disorders, available throughout the VA medical system.
• AQH Certification Advanced Qualification in Headache certification program for healthcare providers demonstrating expertise in headache medicine.
• Headache Provider Finder Online tool helping patients find headache specialists and healthcare providers in their area.
• Self-Screeners Self-assessment tools to help individuals identify migraine and determine its impact on their daily life.
• Taking Charge of Headache A free webinar series empowering women veterans with knowledge and support for managing headache and migraine attacks.
• NHF InSights Podcast Podcast series offering insights on headache and migraine topics, featuring expert discussions and research highlights.
• Living with Migraine Video series covering lifestyle, triggers, treatment options, and care for individuals living with migraine.

Quantifiable outcome

• The foundation serves approximately 42 million Americans affected by headache disorders and approximately 6.8 million veterans.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Medical Women's Association (AMWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025NHF and AMWA announced a joint initiative in November 2025 to increase awareness and improve care for migraine and headache disorders among women veterans. NHF contributed trusted tools, guides, and learning resources to AMWA's Migraine and Headache Awareness Resource Page. The partnership aims to expand provider education, reduce stigma, and help women veterans access effective, evidence-based care. NHF's Operation Brainstorm program is featured within the AMWA hub.
• SHERO Coffee ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSHERO Coffee Club co-hosts the Taking Charge of Headache webinar series with NHF's Operation Brainstorm program. The partnership supports women veterans with headache and migraine disorders. SHERO Coffee Club provides a 20% discount code for webinar participants and is dedicated to empowering women who have served.
• Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHF partners with CHAMP for Migraine and Headache Awareness Month activities. In 2025, NHF and CHAMP held a national event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., displaying 30,000 flags to symbolize the toll of migraine and headache disease. The partnership coordinates awareness events and advocacy efforts.
• Nurtec (Biohaven/Novartis)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn partnership with Nurtec, NHF has been offering enhanced health resources for veterans and active-duty military through Operation Brainstorm. Initiatives include production and distribution of migraine survival toolkits, sponsoring Veterans Views radio show, and primary care provider training via NHF's PCM educational program within the VA system.
• AbbVieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHF partners with AbbVie on the Migraine Career Catalyst Award program. Now in its second year, the award offers up to $2,500 grants to 20 individuals living with migraine who are striving toward professional or educational goals.
• Axsome TherapeuticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHF publishes announcements about Axsome Therapeutics' FDA-approved migraine treatments, including SYMBRAVO (meloxicam and rizatriptan). NHF provides informational coverage of new treatment options for the headache community.
• CyberOptikminorOthersCyberOptik designed and developed the National Headache Foundation's website, utilizing the latest technologies to ensure a secure, fast, and visually appealing online presence for the organization.
• Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHF partners with the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy for national events including the Flags for Headaches installation at the National Mall. The collaboration advocates for urgent federal action on migraine and headache disorders.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Migraine Foundation: Patient-focused nonprofit dedicated to migraine research, education, and advocacy; highly comparable to NHF as a sister headache/migraine advocacy organization serving overlapping patient and provider audiences.
• Association of Migraine Disorders: Nonprofit focused on expanding research and education around migraine disorders, with strong clinical and patient programs; comparable to NHF as a migraine-specialized education and advocacy organization.
• Miles for Migraine: Nonprofit running walk/run/relax events to raise funds for migraine research and fellowship training; NHF partners with Miles for Migraine on Chicago events, making it a direct peer in community-based migraine fundraising and awareness.
• American Headache Society: Professional medical society of healthcare providers dedicated to headache medicine; directly comparable to NHF as the leading headache-focused U.S. organization, though operating as a clinician society rather than a patient-advocacy nonprofit.
• Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP): Coalition of 20+ headache and migraine patient advocacy organizations; NHF is itself a CHAMP member and they co-host awareness events including the National Mall Flags installation, making CHAMP a direct peer and partner.
• Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA): Advocacy organization focused on federal policy action for headache disorders; NHF partners with AHDA on the Flags for Headaches National Mall installation, making it a direct peer in advocacy work.
• Migraine Research Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to funding migraine research and patient education; directly comparable as a migraine-focused grantmaking/educational nonprofit operating in the same patient-advocacy niche as NHF.

Broad incumbents

• International Headache Society (IHS): Global professional society for headache specialists and researchers; broader international scope than NHF but operates in the same headache-medicine category and frequently co-publishes guidance referenced by NHF.

Others

• American Medical Women's Association (AMWA): Professional association of women physicians that recently partnered with NHF on the Nov 2025 migraine/women-veterans awareness initiative; comparable as an adjacent enabling partner that helps extend NHF's provider and patient reach.

Emerging players

• Headache and Migraine Policy Forum: Policy-focused advocacy organization advancing access to headache and migraine treatment; comparable to NHF's policy/advocacy work, though narrower in scope than NHF's broader educational mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nhf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nhf1970
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalHeadacheFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-headache-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalheadachefoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Headache Foundation