Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 with supplemental information to December 31, 2024)
Dear Friends,
The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA) improves the quality of life of those impacted by Parkinson’s disease, their care partners and families, and fosters a sense of community to ensure that no one battles this disease alone. PFNCA offers exercise, communication and education programs to strengthen the physical and emotional health of people impacted by Parkinson’s.
WELLNESS PROGRAMMING CONTINUES TO BE A KEY APPROACH TO SERVICE…With the support of our partners and generous donors, PFNCA provided 2,500 wellness classes in calendar year 2024. This reflected a twelve percent increase in the number of classes provided the previous year. Classes were provided both in-person and online using Zoom. In-person class participation continues to lag compared to the period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Online classes continue to be the preferred format to participate in our wellness class offerings.
HELPING PEOPLE…PFNCA provided programs and services for more than 2,000 people impacted by Parkinson’s in fiscal year 2024.
WALK OFF PARKINSON’S… PFNCA’s awareness, educational and fundraising program took place October 6, 2024 and included educational sessions by Drs. Dr. Aviva Ellenstein, Debra Ehrlich, Steve Grill, Panos Kassavetis, Zachary Levine, Kelly Mills , Mick Reedy and Rainer Von Coelln. More than $240,000 was raised to support PFNCA’s efforts in the next year. The program was held at Shirley Povich Field in Rockville, Maryland.
PFNCA SYMPOSIUM… Led by our medical advisory board, in 2024 this signature event took place online with synchronous and view-on-demand components. The format allowed us to include an archive of important topics from previous educational programs.
OUR LECTURE SERIES RESUMED… After a format change due to COVID-19, PFNCA’s Parkinson’s Pointers program returned with in-person lectures in FY24. A presentation by Dr. Pritha Ghosh of George Washington University titled Updating/Developing Your Parkinson’s Action Plan took place October 26, 2023 and was live streamed to 11 locations in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. On February 25, 2024 lecture by
Dr. Evan Gray titled Parkinson’s and Nutrition was live streamed to eight locations in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. At both programs, attendees gathered to view the lectures, enjoy refreshments and socialize. Started in 2018, Parkinson’s Pointers is a lecture series where people gather in various locations for a presentation and
a question-and-answer session by a physician or other person that specializes in Parkinson’s. Powerful practical information is shared in a positive setting. Lectures are live streamed to the locations.
PARKINSON MOBILE RESOURCE UNIT HITS THE ROAD… After being sidelined for a period due to mechanical issues, PFNCA’s outreach truck — the Parkinson Mobile Resource Unit — once again hit the streets and participated in events to raise awareness of Parkinson’s in Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
FINANCIALLY SPEAKING…
EFFICIENT…Over 80 cents of every dollar spent went to program related activities.
LEVERAGING DONATIONS WITH IN-KIND SUPPORT…We had in-kind support (donations of products and services) of nearly $587,000, a ten percent increase of 2023 levels. These
in-kind donations included: Program-related: $582,917, General and Administrative: $3,599, and Fundraising: $1,008. Factoring in this in-kind support and the offsetting in-kind expenses, PFNCA ratios for the year are Program-related: 83.67%, General and Administrative: 12.31% and Fundraising-related: 4.02%.
USING DONATED OFFICE SPACE…In 2024, we celebrated our eight year of receiving donated office space, which saves tens of thousands of dollars annually.
Recognizing our Medical Advisory Board…
PFNCA’s Medical Advisory Board continues to play a critical role in our successful service. Members of this body routinely advised us and increased educational offerings during this period. The Medical Advisory Board is Chaired by Dr. Pritha Ghosh of George Washington University. The Vice Chair is Dr. Justin Martello of Christiana Care Neurology Specialists.
NON-PROFIT HONORS…
ONE OF THE BEST… PFNCA continues to be honored as One of the Best Small Non-Profit Organizations in the Greater Washington Region by Spur Local (formally Catalogue for Philanthropy). This recognition honors organizations with budgets less than $2M that excel in non-profit service. PFNCA first received this honor in 2014.
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PFNCA continues to thrive as a regional independent organization that is not affiliated in any way with any of the many national organizations that focus on Parkinson’s.
A special thank you goes out to our Medical Advisory Board, Board of Directors, partners, donors, volunteers, program instructors/facilitators and staff. Your support has made this progress possible. We are looking forward to another great year in 2025. Thank you for the role you have played in our success. Together, we will Walk Off Parkinson’s.
Sincerely,
Jared D. Cohen, MBA
President and CEO
Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area
January, 2025
