Hop On A Cure Foundation Inc
#CureALS
Hop On A Cure Foundation Inc
EIN: 88-1550097
as of November 2025
as of November 14, 2025
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Currently, there is no cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. This devastating disease, and research remains significantly underfunded. By raising awareness and funding critical research initiatives, we aim to accelerate breakthroughs that will lead to effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for ALS.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Grant Funding
Hop On A Cure's goal is to get the money out just as quickly as we get it in by constantly exploring and identifying researchers needing support. As of January 2025, Hop On A Cure has funded over $3.86 million in grants for ALS research. Our unique funding platform supports non-traditional approaches that have been overlooked, as well as the traditional approaches to finding new therapies to reverse, cure, or prevent ALS.
Where we work
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United States
Awards
Game Changer Award 2025
Team Gleason
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total dollar amount of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Grant Funding
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2023 and 2024, Hop On A Cure Foundation funded both private and public research facilities. In 2024, several grant awards are to be paid out over the course of multiple years.
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Grant Funding
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of research studies funded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Grant Funding
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Hop On A Cure Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neurodegenerative disease. ALS progressively weakens muscles, impacting mobility, speech, and, eventually, the ability to breathe. Currently, there is no cure, and available treatments only slightly slow progression. Our foundation is committed to funding groundbreaking research and raising awareness.
Hop On A Cure’s mission is to support research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS while raising awareness, building a compassionate community, and unleashing the healing power of hope. Through fundraising, awareness, and strategic partnerships, we aim to support cutting-edge research for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. By rallying communities and leveraging the power of collaboration, we strive to make a lasting impact in the fight against ALS.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Hop On A Cure Foundation is committed to fighting ALS through a multi-faceted approach that combines research funding, awareness, and community engagement. Our key strategies include:
1) Funding Cutting-Edge Research:
-Support innovative scientific studies aimed at understanding ALS and developing effective treatments
-Partner with leading research institutions to accelerate breakthroughs
-Provide grants for promising research projects focused on slowing and ultimately curing ALS
2) Raising Awareness:
-Use public events, social media, and storytelling to educate people about ALS and its impact:
-Advocate for increased funding for ALS research
-Collaborate with the community to amplify our message
3) Fundraising:
-Organize charity events, benefit concerts, and awareness campaigns to generate funding for research
-Encourage grassroots fundraising efforts
-Develop creative campaigns that inspire people to contribute to the fight against ALS
-Fostering strategic partnerships
4) Collaboration
Collaborate with research institutions, biotech companies, and nonprofit organizations to drive innovation:
-Engage with the ALS community to ensure our initiatives align with their needs
By implementing these strategies, Hop On A Cure is committed to making a tangible difference in the fight against ALS, bringing us closer to a cure and improving the lives of those affected.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Hop On A Cure Foundation is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact in the fight against ALS through a combination of expertise, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. Our key capabilities include:
1) Strong Leadership & Advocacy
-Co-founded by John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band and his wife, Jennifer. John is using his stage to bring widespread awareness to a fatal disease that currently has no cure
-A committed team with expertise in fundraising, advocacy, and nonprofit management
2) Scientific Review Committee (SRC)
-A SRC comprised of esteemed researchers and scientists specializing in ALS and neurodegenerative diseases.
-SRC is also comprised of people with lived ALS experience
-Rigorous evaluation of research proposals to ensure funding goes to the most promising and innovative studies
-Collaboration with leading institutions to accelerate breakthroughs in treatment and potential cures
-A commitment to funding innovative studies that drive progress toward a cure
3) Community & Industry Support
-Established partnerships with top ALS research institutions and scientists
-A growing network of supporters, including musicians, influencers, and corporate sponsors
-Engaged donors and grassroots fundraising efforts fueling our mission
4) Public Awareness & Outreach
-Leveraging social media, events, and storytelling to educate and inspire action
-Advocacy efforts to communicate the need for funding for ALS research
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
As of January 2025, Hop On A Cure Foundation is making significant strides in the fight against ALS by awarding $3.68 million in groundbreaking research. Our commitment to accelerating scientific discovery and pushing the boundaries of ALS research is driven by our strong leadership, strategic community partnerships, and dedication to the belief that ALS is not incurable but underfunded.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2025 info
514.43
Months of cash in 2025 info
1.1
Fringe rate in 2025 info
8%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
Hop On A Cure Foundation Inc
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Mar 01 - Feb 28
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Fiscal Year: Mar 01 - Feb 28
This snapshot of Hop On A Cure Foundation Inc’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
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Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $790,331 | $128,146 | -$37,635 |
| As % of expenses | 259.1% | 6.6% | -1.4% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $790,331 | $128,146 | -$37,635 |
| As % of expenses | 259.1% | 6.6% | -1.4% |
| Revenue composition info | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $1,095,344 | $2,078,089 | $2,674,440 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 89.7% | 28.7% |
| Program services revenue | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 0.7% | 2.6% | 1.6% |
| Government grants | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other grants and contributions | 99.3% | 90.9% | 73.4% |
| Other revenue | 0.0% | 6.6% | 25.1% |
| Expense composition info | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $305,013 | $1,944,943 | $2,712,075 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 537.7% | 39.4% |
| Personnel | 2.0% | 5.7% | 12.5% |
| Professional fees | 21.8% | 4.7% | 3.8% |
| Occupancy | 2.8% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 32.8% | 66.7% | 64.5% |
| All other expenses | 40.6% | 22.8% | 19.1% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $305,013 | $1,944,943 | $2,712,075 |
| One month of savings | $25,418 | $162,079 | $226,006 |
| Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $330,431 | $2,107,022 | $2,938,081 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 14.8 | 1.7 | 1.1 |
| Months of cash and investments | 32.9 | 4.1 | 2.7 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 31.1 | 5.7 | 3.9 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $376,961 | $282,070 | $258,594 |
| Investments | $459,009 | $382,864 | $348,428 |
| Receivables | $0 | $1,500 | $0 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 5.5% | 2.5% | 0.1% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $790,331 | $918,477 | $880,842 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total net assets | $790,331 | $918,477 | $880,842 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
CEO
Nic Shefrin
Nic Shefrin is a nonprofit executive with nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, event planning, and community building. She has built an incredibly successful career driven by a desire to help others and lead passionately with purpose. Prior to joining our team, she was CEO and Founder of Fostering Hope Ohio, a group dedicated to enriching the lives of children living in foster care.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
Hop On A Cure Foundation Inc
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
Hop On A Cure Foundation Inc
Board of directorsas of 2/4/2025
Board of directors data
Gregg Vickery
Jennifer Fortner
Jennifer Hopkins
Rachel Reid
Organizational demographics
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Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.