Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Quebec Division)
Montréal, QC H3A 1B9
Executive Director: Louis Adam
Board President: François Coupal
Website: www.mssociety.ca/division/quebec-division
Charitable Reg. #: 10490 2523 RR0001
Charity Rating
Donor Accountability
Grade: B
The grade is based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.Financial Transparency
Need for Funding
Spending Breakdown
Full-time staff #37
Avg. Compensation $58,280
Top 10 Staff Salary Range
| $350k + | 0 |
| $300k - $350k | 0 |
| $250k - $300k | 0 |
| $200k - $250k | 0 |
| $160k - $200k | 0 |
| $120k - $160k | 1 |
| $80k - $120k | 3 |
| $40k - $80k | 6 |
| < $40k | 0 |
About Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Quebec Division):
Founded in 1948, The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Quebec Division (MSQ) aims “to be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by multiple sclerosis to enhance their quality of life.” In Quebec, there are approximately 20,000 people living with multiple sclerosis. MSQ supports research, advocacy and provides services in support of people suffering from MS.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Quebec Division’s research program funded 31 Québec-based studies in F2015. It provided operating grants to scientists working in universities or health care institutions, and research grants to doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. The studies primarily focus on causes and risk factors, disease progression, treatments, and neuronal degeneration and regeneration. In F2015, the charity announced that positive results were found in the phase III clinical trial of ocrelizumab. The drug is thought to reduce the progression of multiple sclerosis, and generate benefits for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
MSQ’s service programs provide access to support groups, information tools, training sessions, referrals, physical activity, social programs and telephone consultation services. In F2015, 24 adults with MS took part in a free session at Camp Papillon. Two free summer camps were also offered to 60 children and teens who have a parent with multiple sclerosis.
MSQ’s advocacy programs aim to improve laws, government policies and employers’ practices. In F2015, 3 other organizations joined MSQ in at annual visit to Quebec’s parliament. Together, the organizations submitted a brief covering the need for housing facilities, access to drugs and support for family caregivers.
Financial Review:
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Quebec Division) is a medium-sized charity, with $1.9m in donations in F2015. The majority of its revenues are generated through special events, such as gala dinners, tournaments and third party events. In F2015, special events revenues were $4.9m, making up 64% of revenues. MSQ’s administrative costs are 6% of revenues and its fundraising costs are 45% of donations. For every $1 donated to the charity, 49 cents is put towards its programs, falling well outside of Ci’s reasonable range. The charity has funding reserves of $2.1m, which includes $25k in donor-endowed funds. This results in a program cost coverage ratio, excluding donor-endowed funds, of 52%. This means that the charity can fund 6 months of its annual programs using its existing reserves.
This charity report is an update that is being reviewed by Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s Quebec Division. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.
Updated on May 31, 2016 by Lynn Tay.
Financial RatiosFiscal year ending December |
2015 | 2014 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 6.3% | 5.8% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 45.0% | 44.8% | 40.5% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 52.1% | 46.6% | 56.1% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2015 | 2014 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 1,882 | 1,578 | 1,643 |
| Government funding | 746 | 730 | 748 |
| Fees for service | 112 | 143 | 120 |
| Business activities (net) | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| Special events | 4,875 | 5,675 | 5,091 |
| Investment income | 18 | 21 | 25 |
| Other income | 30 | 1 | 36 |
| Total revenues | 7,668 | 8,156 | 7,663 |
| Program costs | 4,095 | 4,443 | 4,452 |
| Administrative costs | 480 | 473 | 461 |
| Fundraising costs | 3,040 | 3,249 | 2,725 |
| Cash flow from operations | 54 | (9) | 25 |
| Funding reserves | 2,132 | 2,072 | 2,499 |
For more information on Canadian charities, please visit www.charityintelligence.ca
The information in this report was prepared by Charity Intelligence Canada and its independent analysts from publically-available information. Charity Intelligence Canada and its analysts have made endeavours to ensure that the data in this report is accurate and complete but accept no liability. No attempt has been made to examine the effectiveness of the charities' programs.
Comments added by the Charity:
The Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is part of the National organization. In order to have a global picture of the activities of our National organization, I invite you to consult the following web site: http://mssociety.ca/en/community/mssc/governance.htm
Please note that the MS Society of Canada is 95 per cent self-funded meaning that the vast majority of our funding comes from our donors, not government grants or pharmaceutical support. The limited amount of government funding we do receive means we need to raise funds ourselves to meet our mission. Statistics Canada notes that the average health charity receives 70 percent of its revenues from the government. By comparison, the MS Society of Canada is only less than 3 percent government funded. Funds received through government grants have little or no costs which allow other charities to boast a very low cost of fundraising.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s Quebec Division has been asked to provide an updated comment.