October 20, 2022
Through walks, rides, galas, and other fundraising events, the T1D community annually raises hundreds of millions of dollars for the cause. Money that is provided by our generosity and engagement. When we donate money, when we lead a fundraising team, or when we finish that bike ride for T1D, how do we want that money earned to be used? This report addresses that question.
Each year for the past 11 years, the JDCA conducts annual surveys of the T1D community to understand priorities and objectives. The most recent survey was distributed in October 2022 to a representative sample of people who participated, either in-person or virtually, in fundraising events for T1D in the past year.
The essential finding of this year’s survey is the same as in prior years. The vast majority of those surveyed agree that the number one reason they participate in fundraising events for T1D is to support cure research. Survey results also show that ongoing cuts to research spending at large diabetes non-profits, particularly JDRF and ADA, may result in a future decline in people willing to donate – an outcome that is the opposite of what we want.
Additional Key Findings
A. While only half the T1D community participates in fundraising events, those who do find it meaningful.
45% of the T1D community participated in a fundraising event in 2022 (compared to 40% in 2021).
41% of fundraising event participation was in-person (compared to 20% in 2021).
42% of fundraising event participation was virtual (compared to 61% in 2021).
67% of people say that participation in fundraising events “gives me the feeling that I am advancing progress to a cure”.
Note: 17% of fundraising event participants chose other or preferred not so specify
B. Cure is by far the number one reason people participate in T1D fundraising events.
97% of participants say that finding a cure is the main reason for their fundraising event participation.
94% say funding cure research is “extremely important” to them.
98% believe the majority of money raised at events should be used for cure research.
C. Donors want direct input about how their money is used.
84% believe nonprofits should seek direct donor input when making research funding decisions.
D. Donors may be less likely to fundraise in future.
58% of donors say they are less likely to support JDRF in the future upon learning how much of their donation actually goes to fund cure research.
74% of donors say they are less likely to support the ADA in the future when they learn how much of their donation actually goes to fund cure research.
Survey Notes. N=405. Population dispersed across United States. Random sample. Screened for T1D community direct.
