Current Partnerships

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) engages companies to enhance our programs through funding, in-kind contributions, strategic input and more. Partners make these key MJFF initiatives possible.

Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative

A landmark longitudinal study to identify objective measures of Parkinson's disease, PPMI is an MJFF-sponsored study, funded by MJFF and a consortium of companies, non-profit organizations and private individuals. Read more about the scope and contributions of PPMI.

Interested in becoming an industry partner? Read more on PPMI's industry support and contact us at ppmi@michaeljfox.org.

Fox Insight

MJFF is collaborating with consumer genetics company 23andMe on Fox Insight, an online clinical study that collects genetic and self-reported data from a diverse group of people with and without Parkinson’s. Fox Insight aims to transform the search for Parkinson’s treatments by assembling a more complete understanding of the disease.

Visit www.foxinsight.org to learn more.

Parkinson's Disease Research Tools Consortium

The Foundation spearheads the Parkinson's Disease Research Tools Consortium. This pre-competitive consortium helps MJFF and industry partners identify and develop new pre-clinical tools to address unmet research needs and accelerate experiments.

Read more on this consortium.

Accelerating Medicines Partnership Parkinson's Disease Program (AMP PD)

This public-private partnership between MJFF, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and five life sciences companies — and managed by the Foundation for the NIH — is advancing understanding, measurement and treatment of Parkinson's disease. AMP PD supports cutting-edge work to tease apart microscopic differences in the cells of people with Parkinson's disease from samples collected through MJFF- and NIH-supported studies.

Learn more about this project.

MJFF partners with industry to help inform and engage patients, clinicians and researchers. While the generous support of our sponsors makes our educational and training programs possible, their donations do not influence MJFF content, perspectives or panelist selection.

Parkinson's Disease Education Consortium

Patient and caregiver education and engagement leads to better health outcomes for the individual and the collective through specialist care, use of new treatments and participation in clinical research. Our Parkinson's Disease Education Consortium is an alliance of biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms that support our commitment to furnishing high-quality educational resources for the Parkinson's community. Resources include annual education campaigns, webinars and podcasts, videos and website content, and in-person events. Read more about the consortium and membership benefits.

Past and Current Parkinson's Disease Education Consortium Members Include:

Parkinson's Disease Therapeutics Conference

The only conference focused exclusively on Parkinson's drug development, MJFF's annual Parkinson's Disease Therapeutics Conference attracts 300 research and business development professionals from academia and industry, and showcases the most promising, innovative research from the MJFF portfolio.

Contact our Stakeholder Engagement team at researchpartnerships@michaeljfox.org for information about 2020 sponsorship opportunities.

See our full list of supporters.

MDS-PAS Movement Disorders School for Neurology Residents

In partnership with the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), MJFF hosts the MDS-PAS Movement Disorders School for Neurology Residents. Through this program neurology residents learn about movement disorders and consider specializing in the field, growing the base of specialists caring for people with Parkinson's disease.

The Foundation forms research alliances with like-minded organizations that share our commitment to scientific collaboration and passion for results. Partnerships such as those listed below allow MJFF to unify the multifaceted work of the Parkinson's community and deepen investment to advance critical research.

The Bachmann-Strauss Fellowship in Dystonia Research

In 2014, The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation formed a collaborative research alliance with MJFF and established the Bachmann-Strauss Prize for Excellence in Dystonia Research to broaden public awareness and recognize key scientific discoveries in dystonia. In 2021, MJFF, with partners Bonnie and Tom Strauss, launched the Bachmann-Strauss Fellowship in Dystonia Research to grow the base of scientists aiming to understand the causes of and contributors to dystonia.

Shake It Up Foundation Australia

MJFF collaborates with the Shake It Up Foundation Australia to raise funds for PPMI and other Parkinson’s research being carried out in Australia. Together, the two groups capitalize on MJFF’s expertise in Parkinson’s drug development to ensure that funds are allocated to projects that will tangibly impact patients’ lives.

The Michael Stern Parkinson's Research Foundation

The Michael Stern Parkinson's Research Foundation (MSPRF) was founded in 2001 by the late journalist, filmmaker and philanthropist Michael Stern. In the 15 years of its operation, MSPRF supported more than $46 million in Parkinson's disease research. In 2015, the Stern Foundation named MJFF its successor organization and formed the Michael Stern Discovery Grants in Parkinson's Science to advance research focused on the underlying cause, diagnosis and treatment of PD.

Every so often, we are approached by enthusiastic companies with novel ideas for supporting our work. See below for the short list of some of our unique partnerships.

Nike

In 2011, Nike created 1,500 pairs of the limited edition Nike MAG shoe — exact replicas of the originals Michael J. Fox wore as Marty McFly in "Back to the Future II." Nike then hosted a 10-day auction of the MAG shoes, raising $4.7 million for the Foundation. On October 21, 2015, as part of "Back to the Future Day," Nike and MJFF announced the debut and spring 2016 release of the self-lacing Nike MAG shoe. Unveiled to the world through an online draw and international live auctions, the 89 limited-edition shoes raised $6.95 million in just over a month.

RaceTrac

Since 2010, RaceTrac has been a critical collaborator in helping to advance MJFF's mission. Through portion-of-proceeds and point-of-sale promotions, engaging additional local and national retail partners, and putting on 5K race fundraisers for employees and communities, RaceTrac has raised nearly $3 million to date for the Foundation.

Great Investors Business Ideas

Since 2007, The Great Investors Best Ideas Investment Symposium has invited some of the world’s most respected investors to generously donate their time and share their best investment ideas and insights, while raising funds for MJFF. The premier investment event is fully underwritten by its co-founders resulting in $6 million to date going directly toward MJFF’s mission to speed a cure for PD.

Parkinson’s Unity Walk

As the largest grassroots fundraising walk for Parkinson’s disease research in the Unites States, 100 percent of proceeds raised through the annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk supports research funded by five major PD organizations including MJFF. Thanks to the thousands for families and friends that participate, nearly $3 million has been donated to MJFF to accelerate research with potential to transform every life touched by Parkinson’s.

Windsor Charity Polo Cup

In 2018, a world-class roster of international polo players convened in Vero Beach, Florida to participate in the biennial Windsor Charity Polo Cup. The Michael J. Fox Foundation and a local Alzheimer’s organization were named beneficiaries of the event. More than 2,000 people gathered to enjoy the premier high-goal polo match, a junior team demonstration, a themed tailgate competition, a specialty Retail Village and more. Following the match, Windsor announced that the event had raised the highest amount of dollars since its start in 2012, with $140,000 going directly for MJFF programs.

Bow Tie Cinemas

In 2017 and 2018, MJFF and Bow Tie Cinemas collaborated on a cause-marketing canister and point-of-sale promotional campaign in 42 cinemas across the United States, engaging a national retail partner for a special at concessions stand promotion. With more than $325,000 raised, the Bow Tie campaign supports the development of high-quality educational content that is relevant and meaningful to the patient and family experience of living well with Parkinson’s disease.