Founded in 1948, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Quebec Division (MS Society Quebec) aims to improve patients’ quality of life and find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. MS can cause vision problems, mobility issues, pain, and fatigue. There is currently no known cure. The charity states that around 20,000 people have MS in Quebec. MS Society Quebec funds client services, public advocacy, and research to help people with MS.

Client services and chapter support represented 61% of program spending in F2019. MS Society Quebec offers client services through its 18 local chapters across the province. These programs ensure that people affected by MS have access to information, support groups, training sessions, referrals, and consultation services. In 2018, the charity held two summer camps for children who have a parent with MS. The charity also launched a new MS Knowledge Network in three regions to provide easily-accessible information for those with MS.

Public awareness and community relations were 27% of program spending in F2019. MS Society Quebec advocates for people affected by multiple sclerosis. It aims to improve laws, government policies, and workplace practices to help reduce barriers for people living with MS. In 2018, MS Society Quebec held an MS Recognition Evening to raise awareness, featuring ten invited experts to speak about MS. It also held a provincial MS Walk, which included 4,036 participants from 17 Quebec towns.

Research was 12% of program spending in F2019. MS Society Quebec provides research grants towards multiple sclerosis research. It provides operating grants to scientists working in universities and healthcare institutions, as well as funding to doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. In 2018, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s combined research efforts funded a $5m study on cognitive function at different stages of MS. MS Society of Canada provided funding for 50 researchers to study patients over a five-year period.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Quebec Division) is a Large charity with donations and special events revenue of $6.3m in F2019. MS Society Quebec receives a substantial amount of its revenue from community fundraising events, gala dinners, golf tournaments, and third-party events. At $5.2m, its special events fundraising makes up 70% of total revenues.

Administrative costs are 6% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 55% of donations and special events revenue. This results in total overhead spending of 62%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 38 cents go to the cause. This falls outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Due to high fundraising costs, MS Society Quebec has been outside of this range for the past three years.

Research grants of $387k dropped 68% from $1.2m in F2018. MS Society Quebec’s audited financials state that it temporarily reduced research grants near the end of F2019 in anticipation of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unclear how the charity was aware of the impact of the looming pandemic in mid or late F2019. MS Society Quebec expects research contributions to rise closer to F2018 levels in the future.

MS Society Quebec has $2.5m in funding reserves, of which $19k is donor-endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity can cover 78% or nine months of annual program and grant costs at the F2019 level.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Quebec Division) for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 8, 2020 by Eric Zhao.