Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC)

What Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC) does

The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded in 2000 to advance eating disorders as a federal policy priority in the United States. EDC operates a five-pillar advocacy strategy integrating grassroots mobilization, direct federal policy advocacy, congressional education, strategic visibility campaigns, and program evaluation. Its core offerings include the Ambassador Program (grassroots advocate training), the Young Leader Council (ages 14-25), the Annual Advocacy Day in Washington D.C., an Email Your Legislators tool, and subscription email updates delivered via EveryAction. The coalition coordinates 32 member organizations spanning treatment centers, research institutions, and advocacy groups across the eating disorders care continuum.

EDC's core products and underlying technology consist of advocacy services rather than proprietary technology. Operational systems include EveryAction for email advocacy and newsletter distribution, third-party payment processors for donations, and standard social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter). There is no proprietary AI, data, or platform technology; value is delivered through human-led policy engagement, in-person advocacy events, and constituent communication tools.

EDC's revenue model relies on two primary streams: tax-deductible individual donations and tiered organizational membership dues. Membership tiers range from Hope Circle ($500) through Champions Circle ($25,000+), with defined benefits at each level including Congressional access, advocacy training, social media collaboration, and board consideration. EDC does not publicly disclose revenue, headcount, or financial statements. Customer segments include individual advocates (patients, families, supporters), member organizations (treatment providers, research institutions, advocacy NGOs), Congress and federal agencies, and young leaders ages 14-25.

Name

Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC)

Legal name

Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action

Website

https://eatingdisorderscoalition.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., that drives federal policy and research funding for eating disorders through grassroots advocacy, a coalition of 32 member organizations, and direct Congressional engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Advocacy and Policy Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health Equity, Access & Social Determinants Programs (BPAIAJAO)

Keywords

• Federal policy advocacy
• Eating disorders policy
• Grassroots advocacy coalition
• Nonprofit legislative advocacy
• Congressional briefings

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: The Eating Disorders Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals to fund grassroots advocacy, legislative campaigns, Capitol Hill presence, congressional briefings, coalition coordination, and appropriations advocacy.
2. Organizational Membership Dues: Member organizations pay tiered membership fees (Champions Circle $25,000+, Executive Circle $15,000, Policy Circle $7,500, Leadership Circle $5,000, Advocacy Circle $2,500, Support Circle $1,000, Hope Circle $500) to join the coalition and gain access to congressional leaders, advocacy training, and national visibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EDC provides federal policy advocacy services for eating disorders, including grassroots advocacy training, annual Advocacy Day events on Capitol Hill, congressional briefings, organizational membership coordination, and email-based constituent engagement tools. The coalition mobilizes individual advocates and 32+ member organizations to advance eating disorders legislation, secure federal research funding, and influence policy on issues such as the Nutrition CARE Act, Kids Online Safety Act, and protections against AI-driven harmful content targeting youth.

Product overview

The Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) is a nonprofit advocacy organization rather than a traditional technology product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy programs and services centered on federal eating disorders policy: the Ambassador Program provides grassroots advocacy training and legislative contact support; the Young Leader Council offers leadership development for ages 14-25; the Annual Advocacy Day hosts in-person Congressional meetings in Washington D.C.; and the Email Your Legislators tool facilitates constituent communications with Congress. The organization also provides email newsletter and update subscriptions. These services are coordinated through third-party platforms including EveryAction for advocacy emails, third-party payment processors for donations, and social media channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ambassador Program A grassroots advocacy program that trains individuals to contact legislators on eating disorders bills, share personal stories with policymakers, and participate in advocacy campaigns. Provides advocacy training, talking points, and ongoing support from EDC staff.
• Young Leader Council A leadership network for young adults ages 14 to 25 committed to advancing federal eating disorders policy. Provides leadership development, policy education, and direct advocacy opportunities including Congressional meetings and coalition strategy sessions.
• Annual Advocacy Day Annual event uniting advocates from across the country to educate Congress and champion policies for eating disorders. Held in Washington, D.C., providing training, team support, and direct Congressional office meetings.
• Email Your Legislators Tool Online advocacy tool enabling individuals to send messages to their Congressional representatives about critical eating disorders legislation. Includes pre-written templates and guidance for effective constituent advocacy.
• Organizational Membership Program Tiered annual membership program for organizations including treatment centers, research institutions, and advocacy groups to join the coalition and gain congressional access, advocacy training, and national visibility. Seven tiers from Hope Circle ($500) to Champions Circle ($25,000+).

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 major bills passed since 2015, including 7 appropriations and authorizing bills
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 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

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Advocacy Partners (various organizations)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025EDC works alongside advocacy partners to support legislative amendments and policy initiatives. The organization collaborates with various advocacy groups to advance eating disorders policy at the federal level, demonstrated by the July 2025 effort to support Senate Amendment #2814 protecting state AI regulations safeguarding youth.
• U.S. Congress (Senators and Representatives)coreOthersEDC maintains ongoing relationships with Congressional offices including Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) who sponsor EDC-supported legislation including the Nutrition CARE Act and Kids Online Safety Act.
• Department of Defense (DOD) Peer Reviewed Medical Research ProgramcoreOthersEating disorders are maintained as an eligible research topic under the DOD's Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, representing $2.3B in eligible research funding that EDC has worked to secure and maintain.
• SAMHSA's Center of Excellence for Eating DisorderscoreOthersEDC advocates for federal appropriations to SAMHSA's Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders, requesting $3 million for FY2027 to train primary care providers in the SBIRT-ED model and launch a public awareness campaign.
• HHS Office on Women's HealthminorOthersEDC advocates for $1 million in FY2027 appropriations for HHS Office on Women's Health to fund research grants for early detection and treatment protocols for women and girls with or at risk of eating disorders.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mental Health America (MHA): MHA is a community-based nonprofit focused on mental health policy, public education, and advocacy with affiliate network structure analogous to EDC. Both organizations drive federal policy through grassroots mobilization and member organization engagement.
• Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC): DPAC is a grassroots advocacy organization focused on federal diabetes policy through constituent engagement and Congressional lobbying. DPAC's small-staff, advocacy-focused model closely resembles EDC's operational footprint.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): AFSP is a national nonprofit focused on suicide prevention through research, education, and federal/state advocacy. AFSP's volunteer-driven advocacy chapter model and federal appropriations lobbying closely mirror EDC's operational approach.
• Obesity Action Coalition (OAC): OAC is a national nonprofit focused on individuals affected by obesity through advocacy, education, and federal policy engagement. OAC's tiered membership, federal appropriations advocacy, and Capitol Hill lobbying parallel EDC's operational structure in an adjacent disease space.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is the largest U.S. grassroots mental health advocacy organization with a similar federal-state advocacy model, affiliate network structure, and reliance on individual donations and member organization dues. EDC operates as a niche-focused counterpart in the eating disorders space.
• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): NEDA is the largest U.S. eating disorders nonprofit focused on awareness, support, and education. NEDA complements EDC's federal advocacy focus with direct-to-consumer support services, helpline operations, and treatment provider resources.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN): ACS CAN is the policy and advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society, operating with a state-federal advocacy network, tiered organizational membership, and a year-round lobbyist presence analogous to EDC but at significantly greater scale and budget.
• American Heart Association Advocacy: AHA's advocacy arm conducts federal appropriations lobbying, research funding advocacy, and grassroots mobilization on cardiovascular health. AHA represents the scaled, broad-incumbent version of EDC's disease-specific advocacy model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EDCoalition
• Facebookfacebook.com/EatingDisordersCoalition
• Instagraminstagram.com/edcoalition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eating-disorders-coalition-for-research-policy-&-action-edc-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC)