Capital Area Parkinson's Society

What Capital Area Parkinson's Society does

Capital Area Parkinson's Society (CAPS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 in Austin, Texas, providing free education, support services, and community programs for people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners in Central Texas. The organization operates a portfolio of core services including peer support groups (across Central Austin, South Austin, Northwest Austin, Dripping Springs, Pflugerville, and East Austin), expert-led Health Education Meetings, social programs such as Parkinson's Connect and Young Onset Parkinson's Meetups, and one-on-one social services including crisis funds, phone consultations, home visits, and caregiver respite. CAPS also publishes the annual Austin Area Parkinson's Resources Guide and hosts summits and caregiver conferences. Services are delivered free of charge to all individuals and families affected by Parkinson's disease.

CAPS does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its value delivery is fundamentally human-mediated through licensed social workers, clinicians, and volunteers. The organization's competitive identity is built on 40+ years of community trust, deep relationships with Austin-area neurologists and movement disorder specialists, and a multi-stakeholder ecosystem that includes pharmaceutical partners (Supernus, AbbVie, Amneal), medtech sponsors (Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott), and a strategic national partnership with the Parkinson's Foundation.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations and fundraising rather than service fees. The model includes individual donations (with tiered giving levels tied to specific programs such as $250 for phone consultations and $1,000 for support groups), corporate partnerships on a five-tier annual sponsorship ladder ranging from $500 (Supporter) to $10,000 (Diamond), recurring monthly donations through the CAPS Catalyst Club, planned giving and endowment gifts, the Gold4Good jewelry recycling program, and annual fundraising events. The organization is governed by a board of directors, led by President Jennifer Prescott, RN, MSN, and Director of Development Megan Helmbrecht, with a staff of 1-10 employees.

Name

Capital Area Parkinson's Society

Legal name

Capital Area Parkinson's Society

Website

https://capitalareaparkinsons.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Capital Area Parkinson's Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 that provides free education, support groups, social programs, and social services to people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners in the Austin/Central Texas region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the Parkinson's community. Donation amounts fund specific programs: $25 for newsletters, $50 for educational materials, $100 for medical transportation, $250 for phone consultations, $500 for home visits with social workers, $1000 for support groups.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Annual sponsorship partnerships at five tiers: Supporter ($500/yr), Silver ($1,000/yr), Gold ($2,500/yr), Platinum ($5,000/yr), and Diamond ($10,000/yr). Partnership contributions are considered charitable donations as CAPS is a 501(c)(3) organization.
3. Specialized Funds and Planned Giving: Includes Victor Becker Fund (memorial fund), endowment gifts, planned giving through estate planning, Gold4Good jewelry recycling program, and recurring monthly donations through CAPS Catalyst Club.
4. Annual Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events bringing together supporters, community members, and partners. Event examples include 'A Celebration of Simplicity' and the Living Well with Parkinson's Summit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Capital Area Parkinson's Society (CAPS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free education, peer support, social engagement, and social services to individuals with Parkinson's disease and their care partners across Central Texas. Core offerings include facilitated support groups, social programs, expert-led health education meetings, summits and conferences, one-on-one case management, and an annual Austin Area Parkinson's Resources Guide, all funded through donations and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Capital Area Parkinson's Society (CAPS) operates as a single unified nonprofit service organization offering a portfolio of community support programs for people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners in Central Texas. The core offering centers on peer support groups, social programs (Parkinson's Connect, Frisbee Golf, Young Onset Meetups), and expert-led health education meetings. Supporting infrastructure includes free social services such as crisis funds, phone consultations, housing and food assistance, and government program navigation. Fundraising programs include the Catalyst Club recurring donation program, Victor Becker endowment fund, Gold4Good jewelry recycling, and annual fundraising events. The organization does not operate a technology product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAPS Catalyst Club: A recurring monthly donation program that allows supporters to set up easy monthly contributions to support the CAPS mission.
• Victor Becker Fund
• Gold4Good
• Parkinson's Connect (Formerly Shake Shack)
• Austin Area Parkinson's Resources Guide

Products and services

• Support Groups Monthly peer support groups for people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners, facilitated by licensed social workers or clinicians, held at multiple Austin-area locations across Central, Northwest, and South Austin, Dripping Springs, and Pflugerville.
• Parkinson's Connect (formerly Shake Shack) Social group for people living with Parkinson's disease featuring evidence-based activities that support brain health and connection, with lunch included and RSVP required, meeting in Central and South Austin.
• Parkinson's Health Education Meetings Expert-led monthly educational sessions featuring healthcare professionals covering symptom management, treatment options, research updates, and quality of life strategies for the Parkinson's community.
• Young Onset Parkinson's Meetup Monthly evening meetup for individuals living with young onset Parkinson's, designed for those still working, still active, or younger than 60.
• CAPS Frisbee Golf Casual outdoor frisbee golf activity for people living with Parkinson's disease, held Fridays in East Austin, open to all experience levels.
• Living Well with Parkinson's Summit Half-day educational event bringing together healthcare professionals and community organizations to provide guidance on navigating life with Parkinson's disease.
• Social Services and Case Management Free one-on-one support services including crisis funds, phone consultations, housing recommendations, home safety evaluations, food and medication resource assistance, transport assistance, government program applications, and caregiver respite programs.
• Caregiver Conference Free conference for caregivers of people with Parkinson's, featuring education and support resources.
• Austin Area Parkinson's Resources Guide 2026 Annual comprehensive guide featuring medical providers, support groups, exercise and wellness programs, caregiver resources, and practical services for the Austin Parkinson's community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,300 patients, care partners, and healthcare professionals connected through CAPS programs annually
• +3 more outcomes

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

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Supernus PharmaceuticalssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner supporting CAPS programs and services. Logo displayed on CAPS website as valued partner.
• MedtronicsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical device company partnership supporting Parkinson's community programs and education.
• Boston ScientificsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical technology partner supporting CAPS through corporate sponsorship and community engagement.
• Parkinson's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Parkinson's Foundation partnership providing community grant support for programs including Parkinson's Connect social groups. This is a strategic partnership supporting CAPS mission delivery.
• AbbottsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare company partner supporting CAPS through corporate sponsorship and community programs.
• AbbViesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner supporting Parkinson's community through CAPS sponsorship.
• Amneal PharmaceuticalssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical partner supporting CAPS through corporate sponsorship.
• Aging WellsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on aging services, supporting CAPS mission in Central Texas.
• Halcyon HomesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome health care partner providing support services for the Parkinson's community.
• St. David's Rehabilitation HospitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation services partner supporting Parkinson's patients through CAPS community programs.
• Blue Water HomecaresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome care agency partner, with CEO Jennifer Prescott serving as CAPS President, supporting home-based care resources for Parkinson's community.
• CarePatrolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior care placement services partner supporting CAPS resource network.
• Central Texas Rehab HospitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation hospital partner supporting CAPS programs and patient referrals.
• CTX Brain & SpinesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeurology and neurosurgery partner providing specialized care resources for the Parkinson's community.
• CND Life SciencessupportingTechnology or IntegrationHealthcare technology partner supporting Parkinson's diagnostic and treatment resources.
• ACAD (Laboratory)supportingTechnology or IntegrationLaboratory services partner supporting Parkinson's patient testing and diagnostics.
• WellMed at PflugervillesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider hosting CAPS support group meetings in Pflugerville location.
• Ascension Medical Group Seton NeurologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Erik Krause, DO, a movement disorder neurologist from Ascension Medical Group Seton Neurology, provides regular Q&A educational content and expert guidance for CAPS programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Parkinson's Foundation: National 501(c)(3) that funds research, provides educational resources, and operates a national network of Chapters and community-based programs — directly comparable to CAPS in mission and program types, with whom CAPS has an active strategic/community-grant partnership.
• Brian Grant Foundation: Parkinson's-focused nonprofit providing exercise, nutrition, and wellness programs to people with PD, including community-based programming — directly comparable to CAPS's social and wellness programming (e.g., Frisbee Golf, Parkinson's Connect).
• American Parkinson Disease Association: National 501(c)(3) providing education, support, and research funding for PD through a nationwide network of Information & Referral (I&R) centers and support groups — overlapping directly with CAPS's mission of community-based education and support.
• Houston Area Parkinson Society: Regional Parkinson's-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Greater Houston area with similar support groups, education, exercise programs, and case-management services for PD patients and care partners — the closest direct regional peer to CAPS within Texas.
• Davis Phinney Foundation: Parkinson's-focused nonprofit providing free educational resources, the Every Victory Counts manual, and tools for living well with PD — comparable as a complementary education/community-support organization serving overlapping patient/caregiver audiences.

Emerging players

• LSVT Global: Provider of evidence-based speech (LSVT LOUD) and physical/occupational therapy (LSVT BIG) training and certification programs for clinicians treating PD — comparable as a non-pharmacological PD intervention that CAPS refers patients to and partners with through healthcare providers.
• Live Well with Parkinson's Summit (Power Over Parkinson's): Smaller-scale PD-focused nonprofit producing community summits and educational events for patients and families — directly comparable to CAPS's Living Well with Parkinson's Summit and education-meeting programming model.

Broad incumbents

• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: The largest US funder of Parkinson's research, also producing patient-education content (Fox Insight, resources hub) — relevant as a broader incumbent in the PD nonprofit space that competes for the same donor and sponsor mindshare CAPS relies on.

Regional players

• Northwest Parkinson's Foundation: Regional Parkinson's nonprofit serving the Pacific Northwest with similar in-person support groups, education, and movement-disorder programming — a strong analog for CAPS's community-based service model in a different geography.
• Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania: Regional Parkinson's nonprofit serving Western Pennsylvania with support groups, exercise programs (e.g., PWR!Moves), and educational meetings — comparable regional model to CAPS in scope and program mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CapitalAreaParkinsonsSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/capital-area-parkinsons
• Instagraminstagram.com/capitalareaparkinsonssociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Capital Area Parkinson's Society