JAR of Hope

What JAR of Hope does

JAR of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in September 2013 by Jim and Karen Raffone after their son Jamesy was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The organization’s stated mission is to fund research toward a cure for DMD and to provide direct family support services (accessible vehicles, stair lifts, medical expense reimbursement, and physical therapy funding) to affected children. JAR of Hope is headquartered in Asbury Park, New Jersey, operates with 1-10 employees, and has cumulatively raised over $7 million while assisting more than 25 DMD families, including international awareness efforts spanning the United States, Italy (Neapolis Marathon), New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.

JAR of Hope’s core scientific asset is its role as the philanthropic backer of a Phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial at the University of Florida College of Medicine (Center for Regenerative Medicine) in partnership with RESTEM LLC, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm providing proprietary Umbilical Cord Lining stem cells (ULSC). The trial enrolls 12 pediatric DMD patients; the underlying Investigational New Drug application covers compounds JAR914 and JAR915. The organization also funds mesenchymal stem cell research and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) studies, and produces patient-education content (a Patient Education Guide co-developed with Lanmark360, plus exon skipping educational materials). Beyond research funding, it runs a national school outreach program ('Hands on the Floor - Duchenne No More', reaching 2,000+ students) and policy advocacy including The Jamesy Act petition.

JAR of Hope operates an event-driven, community-led fundraising model anchored by an annual Golf Classic, the Chefs For A Cure culinary event, and a Race Team endurance program. Revenue is diversified across individual donations (a $4/month recurring '13 cents a day' campaign and one-time gifts via Haku/PayPal/Venmo), $200/month child sponsorships, $99/year race team memberships, event entry and sponsorship fees (ranging from $50 lunch-only up to $10,000 event sponsor tiers), merchandise sales, and corporate partnerships. Award validation includes the 2025 Non-Profit of the Year Beacon Award from the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce and a 2016 Guinness World Record for the Longest Lego Chain (which led to a Manalapan, NJ proclamation of September 13th as Duchenne Awareness Day).

Name

JAR of Hope

Legal name

JAR of Hope

Website

https://jarofhope.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JAR of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds a Phase 1 University of Florida stem-cell clinical trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and provides direct family support services, operating event-driven fundraising programs from Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disease-specific charitable nonprofit

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy charity
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Clinical trial funding
• Family support services
• Disease awareness advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Asbury Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monthly recurring donations ($4/month via 13 cents/day campaign) and one-time donations from individual supporters. Donations are collected via website, PayPal, Venmo, and Haku platforms.
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from paid events including golf classics ($200-$1000 entry fees), culinary events ($175-$250 tickets), and race team memberships ($99 annual). Events include sponsorship opportunities at various tiers.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Monthly child sponsorship program at $200/month providing physical therapy, stem cell treatments, and medical support. Corporate sponsors receive recognition across platforms.
4. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling apparel, coffee, and additional items to supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

JAR of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds to support the Operation: LifeLine Phase 1 clinical trial investigating Umbilical Cord Lining stem cells (ULSC) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the University of Florida College of Medicine, in partnership with RESTEM LLC. Beyond funding research, the organization provides direct family support services including accessible vehicles, stair lifts, medical assistance, and physical therapy funding for children with DMD, while conducting global awareness and advocacy campaigns.

Product overview

JAR of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The organization operates a portfolio of family support programs including medical assistance, accessible vehicles, stair lifts, and physical therapy support for affected children. JAR of Hope also provides educational resources through a Patient Education Guide and exon skipping education materials. The core of its mission centers on funding and conducting clinical trials, notably Operation: LifeLine in partnership with the University of Florida and RESTEM LLC, investigating Umbilical Cord Lining stem cell treatments. The organization raises funds through merchandise sales (Apparel, Coffee, Additional Items) and fundraising events including the Golf Classic and Chefs For A Cure culinary event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pennies for Hope (13 Cents A Day recurring donation)

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 pediatric DMD patients enrolled in Phase 1 clinical trial testing Umbilical Cord Lining stem cells
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 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

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Florida College of Medicine - Center for Regenerative MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAR of Hope partners with the University of Florida's Center for Regenerative Medicine to conduct Phase 1 clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy using Umbilical Cord Lining stem cells. The university serves as the clinical trial site, with JAR of Hope providing philanthropic support. Authorization has been granted to begin Phase 1 with 12 patients.
• RESTEM LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRESTEM LLC, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm based in Corona, California, has received FDA authorization for their Investigational New Drug Application for Umbilical Cord Lining stem cells (ULSC). The company has over 14 years of R&D focused on their proprietary ULSCs with novel regenerative properties believed to be superior to mesenchymal stem cells.
• Lanmark360minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanmark360 developed a patient education guide for DMD families in partnership with JAR of Hope. Howard Klein, President/CEO of Lanmark360, serves on the JAR of Hope Board of Directors and provides strategic marketing direction. Lanmark360 employees have used 'downtime' to support JAR of Hope initiatives.
• All American Ford in Old BridgeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll American Ford in Old Bridge, NJ is a sponsor and has donated vehicles (including a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan) to JAR of Hope for DMD families. They serve as the endpoint sponsor for the 'Walk For Their Lives' event.
• RM RichardsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate sponsor of JAR of Hope recognized on the sponsors page. Visit: rmrichards.nyc
• Pazzo Red BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate sponsor of JAR of Hope recognized on the sponsors page.
• All American SubaruminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate sponsor of JAR of Hope recognized on the sponsors page. Visit: allamericansubaru.com
• MaravaiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate sponsor of JAR of Hope recognized on the sponsors page. Visit: maravai.com
• Alfano RenovationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate sponsor of JAR of Hope recognized on the sponsors page. Visit: alfanorenovations.com
• Roche and Sarepta Therapeutics PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAR of Hope highlights the partnership between Roche and Sarepta Therapeutics aimed at reshaping DMD treatment. This collaboration represents broader industry efforts in gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that JAR of Hope advocates for and connects to the community.
• Brant's Driving SchoolminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBrant's Driving School in Western Pennsylvania specializes in adaptive driver training. They are working with Jamesy Raffone to provide three-week driving lessons using accessible vehicles with custom-fit hand controls.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• RESTEM LLC: Clinical-stage biotech that developed the ULSC technology JAR of Hope funds; a strategic partner rather than competitor, but operationally adjacent in the DMD cell-therapy space and useful as a comp for clinical-translation pathways.

Direct peers

• Cure Duchenne: DMD-specific nonprofit founded by a parent (similar to JAR of Hope's origin story) that funds gene therapy and exon-skipping research while running family-support programs. Directly comparable mission, peer-victim founder narrative, and research-funding focus.
• Charley's Fund: Parent-founded DMD research charity focused on funding translational and clinical-stage research for Duchenne. Comparable research-funding orientation, though smaller and more research-concentrated than JAR of Hope.
• Coalition Duchenne: DMD-focused nonprofit that funds global research and raises international awareness through expeditions and adventure-based fundraising — a model very similar to JAR of Hope's extreme athletic campaigns (Mount Everest, ultramarathons).
• Jett Foundation: Parent-founded nonprofit dedicated to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, running family support programs, funding research, and hosting community fundraising events. Closely comparable in mission, family-support service portfolio, and grassroots event model.
• Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD): The largest US-based nonprofit exclusively focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, funding research, advocating for FDA approvals, and supporting affected families. Directly comparable in mission and donor constituency, but operates at much larger scale.
• Team Joseph: DMD-specific nonprofit named after a child with Duchenne (similar to JAR of Hope's "Jamesy" narrative), funding promising research and supporting families. Directly comparable peer with similar parent-driven, child-honoring branding.

Broad incumbents

• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): The largest US neuromuscular disease nonprofit, covering all muscular dystrophy types (Duchenne, Becker, ALS-adjacent conditions) plus ALS, SMA, and others. Operates MDA Care Centers and funds broad research; JAR of Hope competes for DMD-specific donor dollars against MDA's umbrella brand.

Regional players

• Action Duchenne: UK-based DMD nonprofit funding research and supporting UK/European families. Comparable mission and family-support orientation, but operates in a different primary geography than JAR of Hope.
• Duchenne UK: UK parent-led charity funding DMD research and clinical trials, with a strong translational research emphasis similar to JAR of Hope's ULSC trial focus. Regional peer serving UK families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjamesyraffone887
• Facebookfacebook.com/teamjamesy247

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about JAR of Hope