American Diabetes Association

What American Diabetes Association does

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1940 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with a secondary mailing address in Merrifield, Virginia. ADA operates as the leading U.S. organization dedicated to diabetes research, education, advocacy, and community support, serving the more than 133 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes, their caregivers, healthcare professionals, and corporate partners. Its portfolio spans clinical standards (annual Standards of Care in Diabetes, endorsed by six professional medical organizations and published in Diabetes Care), consumer-facing digital platforms (diabetes.org, Diabetes Food Hub, Consumer Guide comparing 200+ diabetes products across 14 categories), and mission-driven programs including 40+ medically supervised diabetes camps across 28 states, the Project Power youth initiative, the Innovation Fund, and the Innovation Challenge startup competition. ADA also operates The Obesity Association as a new division focused on obesity care.

ADA's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack rather than a transactional product business: individual donations, tiered corporate sponsorships (National Sponsors at $150K+, National Strategic Partners at $400K+, Banting Circle Elite at $1M+ for pharma/device firms), retail cause marketing with GNC and EoS Fitness, event fundraising (Tour de Cure, Step Out Walk), licensing through the Better Choices for Life product certification program, and educational grants. Grants outflow include the Pathway to Stop Diabetes program ($11.3M to 7 researchers in 2026, $3.25M in 2022) and 84 new research awards in 2025 across 117 U.S. institutions, supporting 290 scientists at any given time. Recent strategic moves include the Obesity Association launch, a $2.6M CVS Health Foundation grant (Jan 2026), an Innovation Fund investment in UpDoc (agentic AI), a joint CKM syndrome clinical guideline with the ACC/AHA/ASN, and standards-content integration with Abridge's AI clinical platform and Instacart's Smart Shop. ADA is governed by a National Board of Directors chaired by James Tai, with Charles D. Henderson as CEO, Rita Rastogi Kalyani as Chief Scientific & Medical Officer, and Lisa Murdock as Chief Advocacy Officer.

Name

American Diabetes Association

Legal name

American Diabetes Association

Website

https://diabetes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The American Diabetes Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1940, that funds diabetes research, publishes authoritative clinical standards, advocates for insulin affordability, and runs education, camp, and community programs serving 133 million Americans affected by diabetes or prediabetes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diabetes Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Professional Organizations (81392)

akta.pro primary industry

Diabetes (General) (HLAKADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Type 1 Diabetes Care (HLAKADAB), Diabetes Education & Insulin Management (Home-Based) (HSABACAJ), Diabetes & Blood Sugar Nutrition Coaching (HSADAFAF), Public Health Financing, Budgeting & Grants Management (HLAJAMAC)

Keywords

• Diabetes research funding
• Clinical practice guidelines
• Diabetes education programs
• Health advocacy services
• Community health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting ADA's mission to prevent and cure diabetes and improve lives of those affected.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies (Banting Circle Elite), retail brands (National Strategic Partners), and national sponsors generating revenue through sponsorship fees, educational grants, and advertising in ADA publications.
3. Retail Fundraising and Cause Marketing: Point-of-sale donations, round-up campaigns, and co-branded marketing campaigns with retailers like GNC and EoS Fitness that raise awareness and funds while driving consumer engagement.
4. Event Revenue: Fundraising events including Tour de Cure, Step Out Walk, and Ask the Experts webinars generate revenue through participant fundraising and registration fees.
5. Product Sales: Online store selling ADA merchandise, apparel, and diabetes management tools. Also includes licensing revenue through Better Choices for Life product certification program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The American Diabetes Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds scientific research through grants and the Innovation Fund, publishes the annual Standards of Care in Diabetes clinical guidelines, runs patient and professional education programs, operates diabetes camps across 28 states, conducts advocacy campaigns (insulin affordability, CGM access), and licenses the Better Choices for Life certification mark to consumer product companies.

Product overview

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) operates as a nonprofit health organization rather than a traditional technology product company. Its primary offerings include informational/educational platforms (diabetes.org website, Diabetes Food Hub, Professional.Diabetes.org), a Consumer Guide for comparing third-party diabetes products (insulin, medications, CGMs, insulin pumps, blood glucose meters, supplies), and various mission-driven programs (diabetes camps, Project Power youth initiative, research grants via Pathway to Stop Diabetes, Innovation Fund for startup investments, Standards of Care clinical guidelines). The organization also runs advocacy programs, community fundraising events (Step Out Walk, Tour de Cure), and the Better Choices for Life product certification program. ADA's Consumer Guide lists over 200 products across 14 categories including insulin, oral/injectable medications, glucagon, CGMs (12 products), insulin pumps (9 products), blood glucose meters (63 products), and various supplies—these are third-party products reviewed/categorized by ADA, not ADA-developed products. The Standards of Care in Diabetes represents ADA's flagship annual clinical guidance product, while the annual Scientific Sessions is its premier professional conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Diabetes Food Hub: Recipe and nutrition resource platform for people with diabetes
• Project Power
• Better Choices for Life
• Diabetes Risk Test
• Standards of Care in Diabetes

Products and services

• Standards of Care in Diabetes Annual evidence-based clinical guidelines for diabetes diagnosis and management, published as a supplement to Diabetes Care journal and endorsed by six professional medical organizations. Used by physicians, diabetes educators, payers, and guideline-issuing bodies as the authoritative reference for diabetes care.
• ADA Diabetes Camps Medically supervised residential and day camp programs operating at 40+ locations across 28 U.S. states, providing children and families affected by diabetes a safe environment to learn self-management skills and connect with peers.
• ShopDiabetes.org Online Store Official ADA e-commerce storefront selling apparel, accessories, drinkware, and diabetes management tools to support the organization's mission, with discounts for supporters.
• Diabetes Consumer Guide Product comparison and educational directory at consumerguide.diabetes.org listing over 200 third-party diabetes products across 14 categories (insulin, CGMs, insulin pumps, blood glucose meters, oral and injectable medications, glucagon, supplies) with reviews and educational guides to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
• Diabetes Food Hub
• Pathway to Stop Diabetes Research Grants Research grant program providing up to $1.625 million over five to seven years plus mentorship to early-career scientists working on innovative translational diabetes research.
• Better Choices for Life Certification
• ADA Scientific Sessions Annual world's largest diabetes professional meeting hosting 12,000+ physicians, scientists, and healthcare professionals, featuring research presentations, clinical updates, exhibitor booths, and innovation showcases with paid registration and sponsorship tiers.
• Innovation Challenge and Innovation Fund Competition at ADA Scientific Sessions inviting emerging companies to pitch novel diabetes care innovations, with winners eligible for investment of up to $50,000 from ADA's Innovation Fund and entry into a post-challenge accelerator program.
• Tour de Cure
• Step Out Walk
• Diabetes Education Programs
• Project Power National youth initiative that educates young people about healthier lifestyles and reduces the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, delivered through community organizations and trained facilitators.
• Corporate Sponsorship Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of funded researchers remain dedicated to careers in diabetes science
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Sun Life U.S.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 June 2026$250,000 two-year collaboration renewal supporting Project Power youth initiative designed to educate young people about healthier lifestyles and reduce risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Reaches 5,000 youth through 100+ community organizations and 250+ trained facilitators. Sun Life has impacted approximately 60,000 families since 2021.
• The Leapfrog GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Joint recognition program for hospitals demonstrating high-quality care for people living with diabetes. 37 hospitals across 14 states earned 2026 Recognized Leaders designation based on evidence-based processes including blood glucose testing, hypoglycemia protocols, and patient safety standards.
• American College of CardiologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Joint release of first-ever clinical practice guideline on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome with American Heart Association and American Society of Nephrology. Introduces five-stage classification framework and PREVENT risk prediction equations.
• Avocados From MexicomajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 March 2026Partnership to launch culturally relevant, diabetes-friendly recipes targeting Hispanic community in the U.S. where adults are 66% more likely to have diagnosed diabetes. Chef Pati Jinich serves as culinary ambassador creating recipes meeting ADA nutritional guidelines.
• Boehringer IngelheimcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026Collective 'Detect the SOS' partnership to increase urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR/UACR) screening among U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Includes Super Bowl commercial and educational resources through DetectTheSOS.com.
• American Kidney FundcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Partnership to raise awareness about the connection between kidney disease and diabetes, aiming to improve early detection, education, and clinical outcomes for both chronic diseases.
• BOOST (Nestle)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 November 2025Collaboration during American Diabetes Month to raise awareness about early detection and nutrition management for diabetes through promotion of diabetes risk test and nutrition support resources.
• InstacartmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2025AI-powered Smart Shop technology collaboration with ADA creating Inspiration Pages offering diabetes-friendly grocery recommendations and shoppable recipes. ADA resources integrated into Instacart's platform serving millions of consumers.
• CVS Health FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 July 2024$500,000 collaboration to improve maternal health outcomes for women with gestational diabetes in New York City. Funding supports expanding screening, care navigation, and postnatal follow-up, particularly for women of color and underserved communities.
• GNCmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational retail fundraising campaign where GNC customers make donations at stores or online with options to round up purchases. Partnership runs six weeks annually to support diabetes research, advocacy, and education.
• EoS FitnessminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompany-wide fundraising campaign across 125 locations in six states allowing members to donate at checkout. Employees also participate as teams in Step Out Walk events.
• Enrique CaballerocoreOthersPresident of Medicine and Science on ADA's 2026 National Board of Directors providing scientific leadership.
• Amy Hess-FischlcoreOthersPresident of Health Care and Education on ADA's 2026 National Board of Directors providing healthcare education leadership.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JDRF (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation): JDRF is the leading nonprofit focused on Type 1 diabetes research, advocacy, and community support. It is the closest direct peer to ADA, competing for research grant dollars, corporate sponsorship (insulin pump and CGM manufacturers), and donor mindshare within the diabetes mission.
• American Kidney Fund: AKF is a national health nonprofit focused on kidney disease, with which ADA has a strategic partnership given the diabetes-kidney disease connection. It is directly comparable as a peer-disease nonprofit with similar patient-assistance, advocacy, and education models.
• Joslin Diabetes Center: Joslin is a Harvard-affiliated specialty diabetes research and clinical care organization. It is a direct peer in diabetes research funding and clinical guideline development, with overlapping scientific leadership and research-grant programs targeting diabetes researchers.

Broad incumbents

• American Heart Association: AHA is a similarly scaled national health nonprofit publishing clinical guidelines, funding research, and running major fundraising events. It is comparable to ADA in scale, operating model, and the breadth of its corporate partnership and advocacy programs, and overlaps on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome work.
• American Cancer Society: ACS is a comparable large national health nonprofit with similar research-grant, advocacy, and community-program operating model. It benchmarks ADA on fundraising efficiency, programmatic scale, and the ability to convert brand authority into sustainable funding.
• National Kidney Foundation: NKF is a national kidney disease nonprofit with research, advocacy, and patient education programs. It overlaps with ADA on diabetes-kidney disease co-management content and competes for similar pharma and corporate sponsorship dollars.

Regional players

• Diabetes UK: Diabetes UK is the leading national diabetes charity in the United Kingdom with a comparable mission spanning research, care, and advocacy. It serves as the regional peer to ADA, addressing a different geography but operating a substantively similar nonprofit model.

Emerging players

• Beyond Type 1: Beyond Type 1 is a younger nonprofit focused on Type 1 diabetes education, community, and advocacy with a strong digital-native audience. It is an emerging peer to ADA in the T1D segment, particularly competing for younger donor and volunteer engagement.
• diaTribe Foundation: diaTribe Foundation produces patient-facing diabetes education content, newsletters, and advocacy programming. It is an emerging peer whose digital content model overlaps with ADA's Diabetes Food Hub and Standards of Care patient translations.

Others

• Endocrine Society: Endocrine Society is a professional medical organization publishing endocrine-related clinical guidelines (including diabetes and obesity) and running scientific meetings. It is adjacent to ADA as a professional-society peer with overlapping scientific leadership and guideline-development role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanDiabetesAssociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/amdiabetesassn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-diabetes-association
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AmDiabetesAssn
• Xx.com/AmDiabetesAssn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors5 records

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M&A

Investments2 records

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Frequently asked questions about American Diabetes Association