What Breakthrough T1D does

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF, founded 1970) is a U.S. nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in New York that operates as the leading global research and advocacy body exclusively focused on type 1 diabetes. The organization serves people living with T1D (approximately 9.5 million globally, 1.5 million in the U.S.), their families, and the broader healthcare ecosystem, with programs segmented by life stage: Bag of Hope (ages 0-11), Teen Pack (12-17), and Adult Pack (18+), plus early detection screening via TrialNet, clinical trial matching across ~300 trials, and educational resources for healthcare providers. It runs a national network of over 60 local chapters and 120+ Walk/Ride/Run/Gala fundraising events, distributing resources free of charge.

Breakthrough T1D funds and partners across a broad therapeutic technology stack that includes artificial pancreas/automated insulin delivery systems, continuous glucose monitoring, smart insulin pens, inhaled insulin (via the INHALE-1ST trial with MannKind's Afrezza), beta-cell replacement therapies (Syntax Bio, Pluristyx), encapsulation platforms (Rice Biotech Launch Pad), immune tolerance approaches (LyGenesis, Ahead Therapeutics), ultra-rapid insulin analogs (Invictus), and AI-powered closed-loop insulin delivery (UVA-led, $4.7M program). Its proprietary "Rufus the Bear with Diabetes" app provides pediatric diabetes education. Research is delivered primarily through the Industry Discovery and Development Partnership (IDDP) program, the T1D Fund venture philanthropy vehicle ($150M+ capital raise, $25M Breakthrough T1D anchor), and academic collaborations. Breakthrough T1D does not develop proprietary technology products directly but acts as a funding, convening, and advocacy layer.

Revenue (funds raised) comes from individual donations and mass-participation community events, corporate sponsorships (Ford Motor Company has contributed $85M+ since 1998; Land O'Frost, SanMar, Sub-Zero Group Foundation are additional sponsors), federal advocacy (the Special Diabetes Program at $200M annually is a Breakthrough T1D-advocated federal funding stream), and the T1D Fund's investment activities. The go-to-market motion is community-led: the organization converts patients, families, and supporters into donors, advocates, and trial participants through chapter-based events, a national "See T1D" awareness campaign, and grassroots legislative advocacy. Government grants and donor-advised fund, stock, crypto, and planned giving programs round out the funding base. All patient-facing resources are provided at no charge.

Name

Breakthrough T1D

Legal name

Breakthrough T1D

Website

https://breakthrought1d.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is a New York-based nonprofit founded in 1970 that funds global type 1 diabetes research, advocacy, and patient support across 60+ U.S. chapters, serving the ~1.5 million Americans and ~9.5 million people worldwide living with T1D through free resources, clinical trial matching, and corporate and federal funding partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Disease Research and Advocacy

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

Keywords

• Diabetes research funding
• Type 1 diabetes advocacy
• Nonprofit health organization
• Diabetes community support
• Medical research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Fundraising: Breakthrough T1D raises funds through individual donations, community fundraising events, and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. The organization's 2026 Walks program has over 120 events planned nationwide. The Southern Ohio Chapter's 42nd Annual Cincinnatian of the Year Gala raised over $1 million.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners including Ford Motor Company, SanMar Corporation, Land O'Frost, and Sub-Zero Group Foundation provide sponsorship funding. Ford has raised over $85 million since 1998. Land O'Frost has contributed over $2 million since 2008.
3. Government Grants: The Special Diabetes Program provides federal funding of $200 million annually (increased from $160 million), plus $415 million in overall NIH funding and $10 million to NIDDK. An Avalere Health study found nearly $3.6 billion invested in SDP since 1997 generated $50 billion in healthcare savings.
4. T1D Fund Investment Returns: Breakthrough T1D contributes to the T1D Fund, a venture philanthropy vehicle. The organization contributed $25 million to the T1D Fund's $150+ million capital raise, alongside $12 million from the Bukhman Foundation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Breakthrough T1D is a nonprofit charitable organization that funds type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, advocates for healthcare policy, and provides free educational resources and support programs for individuals and families affected by T1D. The organization delivers newly diagnosed support packs (Bag of Hope, Teen Pack, Adult Pack), an early detection screening program, a clinical trial matching service, and community fundraising events such as Walks, Rides, Runs, and Galas. It also funds external research through grants to academic institutions and industry partners developing disease-modifying therapies, cell replacement therapies, automated insulin delivery systems, and continuous glucose monitoring technology.

Product overview

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization offering a portfolio of educational support programs and community engagement initiatives for people affected by type 1 diabetes. The core offerings include the Bag of Hope (for children ages 0-11), Teen Pack (ages 12-17), and Adult Pack (ages 18+) — free resource programs providing educational materials, guides, and supportive items for newly diagnosed individuals. The organization also runs the Early Detection Program for screening and monitoring of early-stage T1D, a Clinical Trials Matching service, the annual Breakthrough T1D Walk fundraising event series, and the See T1D awareness campaign. Additionally, Breakthrough T1D funds and collaborates on research initiatives including cell therapy platforms, implantable drug delivery devices, and disease-modifying therapies through strategic partnerships with academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bag of Hope: Free resource program for children ages 0-11 newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, including educational materials and Rufus the Bear with Diabetes companion app
• Teen Pack
• Adult Pack
• Breakthrough T1D Walk
• Breakthrough T1D Ride
• Breakthrough T1D Run
• See T1D
• Project ACT
• Industry Discovery and Development Partnership (IDDP)

Products and services

• Bag of Hope Free resource program for children ages 0-11 newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. Includes Rufus the Bear with Diabetes companion, educational materials, a Begin With Hope guide, storybook, and information about T1D management and Breakthrough T1D involvement opportunities.
• Teen Pack Free resource pack for teenagers ages 12-17 newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Includes a Begin With Hope guide, comprehensive diabetes handbook, organizational pouches for supplies, a Breakthrough T1D bracelet, stickers, and information about getting involved with the T1D community.
• Adult Pack Free resource pack for adults ages 18 and older newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Includes the Bright Spots and Landmines guide by Adam Brown covering food, mindset, exercise, and sleep strategies for diabetes management, plus additional educational resources.
• Early Detection Program Screening and monitoring program for early-stage type 1 diabetes using simple blood tests to identify islet autoantibodies before symptoms appear. Enables families to prepare, join clinical trials, and access FDA-approved therapies that can delay disease progression. Includes TrialNet and ASK program partnerships, with at-home or in-person screening for eligible relatives.
• Breakthrough T1D Walk National fundraising event series with over 120 walks planned across the U.S. to raise funds and awareness for type 1 diabetes research. Includes sponsors Ford Motor Company and SanMar Corporation, and is part of the organization's broader fundraising events including Ride, Run, Gala, and Play programs.
• Clinical Trials Matching Service Online tool to match individuals with approximately 300 clinical trials underway to prevent, cure, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. Helps newly diagnosed individuals find eligible trials, including disease-modifying therapy trials and cell therapy trials.
• Rufus the Bear with Diabetes App Free mobile companion app for children that helps kids learn to manage diabetes through interactive play with Rufus the Bear, including carb counting, blood sugar monitoring, and insulin dosing simulations. Available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Appstore.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of T1D diagnoses occur in people with no family history, demonstrating need for universal screening programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LyGenesiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Research award to support thymus program investigating immune tolerance induction for allogeneic pancreatic islet transplantation in Type 1 diabetes. Pre-clinical research led by Dr. Eric Lagasse, Chief Scientific Officer and Professor of Pathology at University of Pittsburgh.
• MannKind CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Grant through Industry Discovery and Development Partnership program to support INHALE-1ST clinical trial evaluating Afrezza (inhaled insulin) in youth aged 10 to <18 years with newly-diagnosed T1D. Trial recently completed enrollment of pilot phase.
• Sub-Zero Group FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026National partnership to support type 1 diabetes research spanning early detection, disease-modifying therapies, management technology, complication treatments, and potential cell-based cures. The foundation's commitment traces to 1945 when founder Westye F. Bakke developed refrigeration to store insulin for his son, creating a decades-long giving tradition.
• Rice Biotech Launch PadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Two-year award to refine and test encapsulation platform to protect transplanted pancreatic islet cells. Uses small alginate capsules with engineered support cells secreting anti-inflammatory proteins, potentially eliminating need for systemic immunosuppression.
• Continuity BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026Collaboration to advance NICHE cell-therapy platform toward first-in-human Phase 1/2a clinical study for T1D. Supported through Breakthrough T1D's Industry Discovery and Development Partnership (IDDP) program. The platform integrates prevascularized graft chamber for insulin-producing cells with dedicated drug reservoir for localized immunomodulation.
• Ahead TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026IDDP grant to advance Ahead Therapeutics' MiMi-ToP platform using phosphatidylserine-based liposomes to restore antigen-specific immune tolerance for T1D therapy. Goal is Investigational New Drug application readiness.
• University of Virginia School of Data SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026$4.7 million project for AI-powered diabetes management developing next-generation fully closed-loop insulin delivery systems. Collaboration with University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and UCSF. Industry partners Tandem Diabetes Care and Arecor providing $800,000 in-kind contributions alongside $3.9 million from Breakthrough T1D and Helmsley Charitable Trust.
• Blue Circle HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026$1.5 million three-year grant to expand free virtual care for underserved adults with T1D. Funds insurance/Medicaid navigation services and continuity of care. Addresses growing barriers amid recent changes to Medicaid and ACA marketplace coverage.
• Invictus TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2026IDDP award to fund first-in-human clinical trial of next-generation ultra-rapid insulin analog engineered for automated insulin delivery systems. Phase 1 trial to be conducted at Profil in Germany. Goal is room-temperature stable insulin for closed-loop pump systems.
• PluristyxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Collaboration to develop genetically engineered allogeneic islet cell line with immune cloaking and safety switch technologies. Creating universal, immune-evasive stem cell line to improve safety and availability of islet replacement therapies without chronic immunosuppression.
• Stem Cell NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2025Partnership to fund four Canadian research projects focused on cell replacement therapies for T1D. Projects include preclinical development of manufactured islet replacement product by Vancouver-based Lunar Therapeutics, islet cryopreservation, encapsulation devices, and human immune system models. Part of SCN's $33 million investment supporting 36 regenerative medicine projects.
• Syntax BiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on stem cell-derived pancreatic beta cell therapies for T1D. Syntax Bio secured $25 million Series A funding with Breakthrough T1D backing. R&D collaboration with Mayo Clinic announced June 9, 2026. Grant of up to $856,250 awarded.
• TrialNetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree, research-based T1D early detection and clinical trial program for family members of people with T1D. Network of experts with sites throughout the U.S. Screening can be done through at-home kit or in person. Available for individuals ages 2-45 with first-degree relative with T1D, ages 2-20 with second-degree relative, or anyone ages 2-45 who tested positive for at least one T1D-related autoantibody.
• Diabetes UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partner highlighted NHS rollout achievement of artificial pancreas devices reducing ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in diabetes care.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Disease-specific health nonprofit with a comparable research funding, advocacy, and community support model — including Walk-style fundraising events and a national chapter network — focused on a single chronic disease.
• March of Dimes: Long-established disease-specific health nonprofit with a national Walk-based fundraising model, federal advocacy footprint, and research funding programs. Highly comparable in operating model and longevity.
• American Diabetes Association: The largest US nonprofit focused on diabetes, addressing both T1D and T2D. Directly competes with Breakthrough T1D for diabetes-related individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and policy influence, with a broader patient population mandate.
• ALS Association: Disease-specific health nonprofit with similar Walk-based grassroots fundraising, research grant programs, and patient services. Comparable in scale and donor-engagement mechanics (e.g., viral campaigns).
• Susan G. Komen Foundation: Disease-specific health nonprofit with a similar chapter-based fundraising model (Race for the Cure), large corporate sponsorship base, and research grant programs. Operates at a comparable scale and donor-activation approach.
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Single-disease research and advocacy nonprofit that pioneered the venture philanthropy model Breakthrough T1D is now scaling via the T1D Fund. Highly comparable in structure, research funding approach, and outcome orientation.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest US cancer-focused nonprofit and a broad incumbent in the disease-specific health nonprofit space. Represents the wider peer set of large-scale research, advocacy, and patient-support organizations Breakthrough T1D benchmarks against.
• International Diabetes Federation: Global umbrella organization for diabetes-related national associations and research entities. Sets global policy and epidemiology standards for both T1D and T2D, indirectly shaping the operating environment for Breakthrough T1D's global affiliates.

Regional players

• Diabetes UK: The UK's leading diabetes charity, addressing T1D and T2D with research funding, advocacy, and patient support. Operates in a similar space with comparable offerings but in a different primary geography.

Others

• Helmsley Charitable Trust: Major private foundation with a substantial T1D grantmaking program (co-funds the $4.7M UVA AI/AID project with Breakthrough T1D). Not a direct competitor but a closely related funder shaping the same research ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/breakthrought1d
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BreakthroughT1D
• Facebookfacebook.com/breakthrought1d
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/breakthrought1d
• Instagraminstagram.com/breakthrought1d
• TikToktiktok.com/@breakthrought1d

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

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M&A

Investments18 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Breakthrough T1D