The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Payments to the IAFF Just Hit $7 Million
The International Association of Fire Fighters’ LM-2 filings for 2022–2023 were just released, and in them were four payments from the Muscular Dystrophy Association totaling $650,000.
That’s $650,000 in your donations that MDA is giving to the IAFF for, well…after three years they still refuse to tell us why they’re making these payments.
Let’s take a look at the IAFF’s LM-2 filings for 2021–2022.
If we add up the payments for 2022 alone, we get a total of $650,000 for the calendar year.
Now take a look at MDA’s 2022 990 tax filing, specifically at “Grants and similar amounts paid” in the expenses section.
In 2021, MDA spent $13,666,745 on research grants. In 2022, they spent $13,032,682. That’s $634,063 less.
MDA paid $650,000 to the IAFF, yet cut research funding by $634,063.
MDA previously claimed that one minute of research cost $70, so that means over 150 hours of research were cut. But the IAFF continued getting their paychecks.
After a pause in 2020, MDA’s payments to the IAFF have started to climb again. And in 2023 MDA hit a milestone — they gave over $7 million to the IAFF ($7,067,500 to be exact).
Think of all the people that $7 million could have helped. That’s 1,683 hours of research. Or 282,700 flu shots. Or 8,834 kids going to camp.
That’s money that could have been spent on MDA Care Center visits, which are no longer paid for by MDA.
That’s money that could have gone to purchasing or repairing wheelchairs, which MDA no longer funds.
That’s money that could have helped facilitate support groups and loan closets, which MDA no longer offers.
And this entire time, while MDA pays the IAFF and payments are again increasing, the amount they’re spending on research is decreasing.
But never fear — MDA executives are still making money. In fact, salaries and compensation account for more of MDA’s expenses than research grants do.
Is this how MDA provides hope and support to those with neuromuscular diseases? Is this how they empower us?
Please consider this before donating to MDA.
All of the information provided can be found on the United States Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards site and the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s site.
