JDCA Report: Diabetes Charity Events Promise a Cure But Don’t Deliver
New York, NY (PRWEB) September 24, 2013 -- Less than 20 percent of the donations raised at popular diabetes “cure” fundraising events actually goes toward type 1 cure research, according to a new report from the Juvenile Diabetes Cure Alliance.
In its third annual report on diabetes charity fundraising, the JDCA has found that 90 percent of the 550 major fundraising events held or scheduled in 2013 use a cure as the main message to solicit donations. But only 18 percent of the $187 million raised through those events, such as JDRF's “Walk to Cure Diabetes” and the American Diabetes Association's “Tour de Cure,” was used for type 1 cure research grants last year. Cure messaging promises an end to diabetes overtly through the event title or implicitly through the event name or promotional materials.
The report by the JDCA, an independent diabetes charity watchdog, reveals a large gap between cure fundraising messaging and cure spending that can be misleading for event participants and donors. For example, JDRF and the American Diabetes Association employ cure messaging most often, but they direct the least percentage of event donations toward type 1 cure research at 30 percent and 2 percent. JDCA surveys have found that eight out of 10 type 1 diabetes donors want their gifts to be used primarily for cure research.
“Diabetes charities know that a cure is what motivates donors. It’s not surprising that the organizations that raise the most money also promise a cure,” said Phil Shaw, general manager of the JDCA. “By failing to align spending with messaging, diabetes nonprofits are not fulfilling donor wishes."
Aaron Gorin, JDCA director of research analysis, said diabetes charities should have a fiduciary responsibility to use donations for the stated purpose and in accordance with donor priorities.
“All four major diabetes charities claim they want a cure, but their spending doesn’t reflect that goal,” Gorin said. “Aligning donor wishes with actual spending will help to accelerate cure progress.”
The JDCA report evaluates the connection between event fundraising language and cure spending for the JDRF, American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Research Institute and Joslin Diabetes Center. The fundraising events in the analysis include events such as walks, galas and golf outings held by the four nonprofits and major third-party organizers.
To download a copy of the report and explore more research on the major type 1 nonprofits, visit the JDCA reports page.
About the JDCA
The JDCA is an independent analyst of the type 1 diabetes charitable universe and brings a business-like perspective to help donors focus research toward a practical cure. The mission of the JDCA is to achieve a type 1 practical cure before 2025 by steering donor contributions to the most effective charities.
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Carly Garber, Walker Sands Communications, +1 (312) 267-0064 102, [email protected]
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