International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders

What International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders does

The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (incorporated as a Wisconsin nonstock corporation). The organization informs, assists, and supports people affected by gastrointestinal (GI) disorders — including IBS, GERD, gastroparesis, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, fecal incontinence, and pediatric GI conditions — through free educational content, a publications library, monthly newsletters, virtual events, and the Norton Education Series. It also funds investigator-initiated research via the Nancy and Bill Norton Research Program and conducts federal advocacy (Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, FGIMD Act support) to advance awareness and research prioritization for functional GI and motility disorders.

IFFGD's core "product" is a digital content and community platform rather than a technology product. The platform comprises iffgd.org, 13+ condition-specific microsites (About IBS, About GERD, About Constipation, About Gastroparesis, About GI Motility, About Incontinence, About Kids GI, plus patient-companion and Spanish-language sites), a publications library, video corner, searchable dietitian directory, and Patient Panel / Survey Corner for research engagement. Content is bilingual (English/Spanish) and distributed globally via the website, monthly eNewsletter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X. All educational resources are provided free of charge.

The business model is nonprofit donation- and grant-funded. Revenue derives from individual donations, Industry Council memberships (Patron-level: AbbVie, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Takeda; Associate-level: Ardelyx, Braintree Laboratories, Enterra Medical, MBiota, Nestlé, Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Vanda Pharmaceuticals), and likely event/program grants. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and holds registered trademarks for "International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders" and "IFFGD." It has been recognized with the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, GuideStar Platinum Seal, and NORD Platinum Member status, underscoring long-standing institutional credibility rather than commercial scale.

Name

International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders

Legal name

International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Inc.

Website

https://iffgd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IFFGD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that provides free educational resources, research funding, and advocacy for patients affected by gastrointestinal disorders, serving a global community of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Education and Health Advocacy

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Health Promotion & Behavior Change (SBCC) (BPADAIAL)

Keywords

• Gastrointestinal disorder education
• Digestive health advocacy
• Patient education resources
• GI research funding
• Nonprofit health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Pleasant

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: IFFGD is funded primarily through donations from individuals and organizations who support their mission to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal disorders. The website includes a donate button and mentions that donations allow funding of life-changing research and educational programs.
2. Industry Council Memberships: IFFGD acknowledges industry partners at Patron and Associate levels who support the organization. These pharmaceutical and medical device companies provide funding through the Industry Council program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that informs, assists, and supports people affected by gastrointestinal disorders. It provides free educational content about GI conditions, funds research through the Nancy and Bill Norton Research Program, runs advocacy campaigns including Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, and delivers community programming such as the Norton Education Series and the Digestive Health Monthly eNewsletter.

Product overview

The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) operates a comprehensive educational and research ecosystem rather than a traditional tech product. The core offering is iffgd.org, a nonprofit informational website providing reliable knowledge, support, and assistance about gastrointestinal disorders. This is complemented by a network of condition-specific companion websites (About Constipation, About IBS, About GERD, About Gastroparesis, About GI Motility, About Incontinence, About Kids GI) that provide targeted information for specific GI conditions. The organization's digital portfolio includes publications and resources (Publications Library, Video Corner, Dietitians Listing, Patient Resources), engagement platforms (Digestive Health Monthly eNewsletter, Advocacy Connection Newsletter, IFFGD Patient Panel), educational programming (Norton Education Series), and research initiatives (IFFGD Nancy and Bill Norton Research Program including grants, awards, and travel awards). All offerings are nonprofit educational resources designed to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal disorders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• About IBS: Dedicated website for Irritable Bowel Syndrome information and resources
• About Constipation
• About GERD
• About Gastroparesis
• About GI Motility
• About Incontinence
• About Kids GI
• You and IBS
• You and Constipation
• You and Colonoscopy
• Los Niños y GI
• Digestive Health Matters
• Digestive Health Monthly
• Advocacy Connection Newsletter
• Nancy and Bill Norton Research Program
• Norton Education Series
• Young Advocates in GI

Products and services

• IFFGD Main Website (iffgd.org) The flagship iffgd.org website provides reliable information on GI disorders, symptoms, treatments, healthcare provider listings, publications, and educational content for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Condition-Specific Companion Websites A network of dedicated websites covering specific GI conditions including About IBS, About Constipation, About GERD, About Gastroparesis, About GI Motility, About Incontinence, About Kids GI, You and IBS, You and Constipation, You and Colonoscopy, and Los Niños y GI.
• Digestive Health Monthly eNewsletter A free monthly eNewsletter providing the latest news on treatments and research breakthroughs, educational articles, tips for daily life with GI disorders, patient advocate spotlights, and clinical trial opportunities.
• Advocacy Connection Newsletter Newsletter with updates on relevant legislation, IFFGD visits to Washington D.C., government agency updates, and advocacy-related information.
• Norton Education Series Educational programs covering GI symptoms overview, gut microbiome, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive health topics, featuring expert speakers from the digestive health community.
• Nancy and Bill Norton Research Program Research funding initiative that awards grants and travel awards to investigators focused on functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders, including research awards, grants, and preceptorship awards.
• Publications Library A comprehensive library of educational publications about GI disorders, symptoms, and treatments available for download by patients and healthcare professionals.
• Dietitians Listing A searchable database of registered dietitians with experience in gastrointestinal and motility disorders, allowing users to filter by state, city, specialty, and insurance acceptance.
• IFFGD Patient Panel A patient engagement initiative that allows individuals to participate in surveys and research studies to help advance understanding of GI disorders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years serving the GI community with educational resources and support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Gastroenterological Association (AGA): Larger, established professional gastroenterology society with a much broader mandate than IFFGD, including research funding, publications, and patient education. Overlaps with IFFGD on patient-facing GI content and research grant programs but serves the entire GI specialty rather than focusing on functional/motility disorders.
• American College of Gastroenterology (ACG): National professional society for gastroenterologists with patient education content, clinical guidelines, and research programs. Comparable to IFFGD in serving GI patients and professionals but operates at significantly larger scale and as a clinician membership organization rather than a patient-led nonprofit.
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Umbrella advocacy organization for rare diseases, of which IFFGD is a Platinum Member. Comparable as a nonprofit raising funds and advocating for under-served patient communities, though NORD's scope is far broader (300+ disease areas) versus IFFGD's narrower GI focus.

Direct peers

• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation: Major U.S. nonprofit focused on inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Directly comparable as a digestive-disease patient advocacy, education, and research-funding organization operating with similar mission, funding model (donations + industry council), and audience overlap with IFFGD.
• Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders (AGMD): Patient advocacy organization focused specifically on gastrointestinal motility disorders — the same core niche IFFGD addresses. Directly comparable mission, audience, and resource scope, and a clear head-to-head peer for patient and researcher mindshare in motility-related GI conditions.

Emerging players

• ReachMD: Digital medical education platform delivering continuing medical education, podcasts, and expert content to healthcare professionals. Comparable as a digital health education channel reaching clinicians and engaged patients, though broader than IFFGD across all therapeutic areas.
• UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders: Academic center of excellence at UNC focused on functional GI and motility disorders — the same niche as IFFGD. Overlaps heavily on patient education content and research, but operates as an academic medical center rather than a patient advocacy nonprofit.

Regional players

• Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA): U.S.-based professional nursing society for GI nurses and associates, providing education, training, and practice resources. Comparable to IFFGD's professional education and community mission but focused on the nursing workforce rather than patients directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IFFGD
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IFFGD
• Facebookfacebook.com/IFFGD
• Instagraminstagram.com/digestivehealthmatters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iffgd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders