JDRF/FRDJ Canada

What JDRF/FRDJ Canada does

Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF Canada / FRDJ Canada / Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada), founded in 1974 and headquartered in Toronto, is a federally registered Canadian charitable organization (Charitable Number: 11897 6604 RR0001) and the Canadian arm of Breakthrough T1D International. The organization funds type 1 diabetes research, supports people living with T1D and their families, and advocates for access to treatments and care. Its operational scale is small relative to its mission footprint, with 46 employees, $9.2 million committed to T1D research in 2025, approximately 70 active research grants in Canada, support for roughly 16 clinical trials in Canada, and participation in a global network of 550+ active research grants spanning 23 countries.

The portfolio combines grant-funded research, community support programs, advocacy tools, and mass-participation fundraising. Research-facing offerings include the TrialNet Screening Program for early T1D detection, the UBC Centre of Excellence funded via the Canucks for Kids Fund, the Breakthrough T1D Network for Canada (BTNC), and Project ACT. Community support offerings include Bag of Hope (for newly diagnosed children), Teen and Adult Care Kits, Talk T1D peer support, the Breakthrough T1D Education Series, the Mental Health + Diabetes Directory (directory.breakthrought1d.ca), the Mental Health + Diabetes Training Program (learn.breakthrought1d.ca), and the Caregiver Guide. Advocacy tools include the DiaDigits Calculator (a tax credit/benefits calculator), Access for All, T1D on the Hill, the Partnership to Defeat Diabetes, and a Framework for Diabetes in Canada. Fundraising is driven by the annual Breakthrough T1D Walk, Breakthrough T1D Ride, Max Domi Golf Classic (anchored by NHL spokesperson Max Domi), Fundraise Your Way, corporate partnerships, securities and vehicle donations, and the $100M Campaign to Accelerate / Beyond Insulin annual giving program.

The business model is donation-philanthropy: revenue is raised from individual donations (one-time and monthly giving), planned/legacy gifts, event fundraising, securities and vehicle donations, and corporate partnerships. GTM motion is community-led and event-driven, with direct-to-consumer online donation and monthly giving channels and a multi-platform social presence (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn). Donations are processed via an online platform (breakthrought1d.akaraisin.com) for Walk, Ride, Golf Classic, and general giving. The organization does not sell products or services; all monetary transactions are contributions. As a registered charity, it is governed by a Board of Directors and an executive team, is independent in its Canadian operations, and operates under the Breakthrough T1D worldwide umbrella brand (English: Breakthrough T1D; French: Percée DT1).

Name

JDRF/FRDJ Canada

Legal name

Breakthrough T1D Canada

Website

https://jdrf.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Breakthrough T1D Canada (formerly JDRF/FRDJ Canada) is a Toronto-based charitable organization that funds type 1 diabetes research, delivers community support programs for patients and families, and advocates for access to T1D treatments and care across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Health Research Foundation

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Type 1 Diabetes Care (HLAKADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Type 1 diabetes research
• Nonprofit health advocacy
• Diabetes research funding
• Community health support
• Disease research foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including monthly giving programs and general donations.
2. Legacy Gifts: Planned giving including bequests, estate gifts, and leave a legacy gift programs.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue from Breakthrough T1D Walk, Breakthrough T1D Ride, Max Domi Golf Classic, and Fundraise Your Way programs.
4. Securities and Vehicle Donations: Donations of publicly traded securities and vehicle donations.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorship and partnership programs with businesses supporting T1D research.
6. Beyond Insulin Campaign: The $100M Campaign to Accelerate is a major fundraising initiative for curing T1D.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Breakthrough T1D Canada is a nonprofit charitable organization that funds type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, supports clinical trials, and provides free community and mental health programs to people living with T1D and their families. It operates as the Canadian arm of the global Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) network, channels donor contributions into research grants and advocacy, and delivers resources including Bag of Hope, Care Kits, peer support, a Mental Health + Diabetes Directory, and TrialNet screening.

Product overview

Breakthrough T1D Canada is a non-profit organization (formerly JDRF Canada) dedicated to curing, treating, and preventing type 1 diabetes. The organization operates as a unified platform of research funding, community support programs, advocacy initiatives, and fundraising events. Core programs include research grants funding approximately 70 active research projects and 16 clinical trials in Canada, community support offerings such as the Bag of Hope, Care Kits, peer support (Talk T1D), and Mental Health + Diabetes resources, advocacy tools including the DiaDigits Calculator and Access for All campaign, and signature fundraising events including the Breakthrough T1D Walk, Ride, and Max Domi Golf Classic. The organization also runs the $100M Campaign to Accelerate to fund research breakthroughs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Breakthrough T1D Walk: Annual fundraising walk event to support type 1 diabetes research
• Breakthrough T1D Ride
• Bag of Hope
• Teen and Adult Care Kits
• TrialNet Screening Program
• DiaDigits Calculator

Products and services

• Bag of Hope A resource kit provided to families with children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, containing educational materials and support resources for managing the condition.
• Teen and Adult Care Kits Support kits designed for teenagers and adults newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, providing essential resources and information for managing the condition.
• Talk T1D Peer Support Peer support program connecting individuals living with type 1 diabetes for mutual support, shared experiences, and guidance.
• Breakthrough T1D Education Series Educational programming designed to help people with type 1 diabetes learn about disease management and the latest T1D research developments.
• Mental Health + Diabetes Directory An online directory connecting individuals with mental health professionals who have expertise in diabetes care, supporting T1D community mental health needs.
• Mental Health + Diabetes Training Program Training program designed for healthcare providers on addressing the mental health needs of people with diabetes.
• DiaDigits Calculator A calculator tool to help individuals understand and advocate for diabetes-related tax benefits, credits, and insurance coverage.
• TrialNet Screening Program A screening program to detect early stages of type 1 diabetes in family members of people with T1D, enabling early intervention and clinical trial participation.
• Breakthrough T1D Walk Annual community walk fundraiser held across Canada to raise funds for type 1 diabetes research and awareness.
• Breakthrough T1D Ride Annual cycling event fundraiser for T1D research, with virtual and in-person participation options across Canada.
• Max Domi Golf Classic Annual golf tournament fundraiser hosted by NHL player and Breakthrough T1D spokesperson Max Domi to raise funds for T1D research.

Quantifiable outcome

• $9.2 million to T1D research in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Max DomiflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMax Domi, NHL player diagnosed with T1D at age 12, serves as Breakthrough T1D Spokesperson and Ambassador. He participates in the Max Domi Golf Classic fundraising event and actively promotes the organization's mission through his platform. His involvement includes advocacy work, community outreach, and personal storytelling to inspire others living with T1D.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• SickKids Foundation: Major Canadian children's hospital foundation that funds pediatric research including endocrinology and T1D-related studies. Comparable as a Canadian research-funding nonprofit and potential grant collaborator rather than direct competitor.
• Stem Cell Network: Canadian not-for-profit research funding organization supporting stem cell research, including cell-replacement therapies relevant to T1D cure research. Comparable as a Canadian health research grantmaker with adjacent scientific scope.
• International Diabetes Federation: Global umbrella organization for diabetes charities, including type 1 diabetes advocacy. Comparable in advocacy and global coordination scope but does not directly fund T1D research the same way Breakthrough T1D Canada does.

Broad incumbents

• American Diabetes Association: The largest US diabetes nonprofit, funding research, advocacy, and education across all diabetes types. Overlaps with Breakthrough T1D Canada on research funding and advocacy, but covers a broader population.

Direct peers

• Breakthrough T1D (International): The global parent organization (formerly JDRF International) of Breakthrough T1D Canada. Operates the worldwide T1D research funding network across 23 countries with 550+ active grants, directly comparable in mission, programs, and brand identity.
• Beyond Type 1: US-based nonprofit focused exclusively on type 1 diabetes, funding research, advocacy, and community programs. Comparable as a T1D-only charity with a strong digital and social media fundraising model.
• Diabetes Canada: Canada's largest diabetes charity, funding research and providing education and advocacy across all types of diabetes. Directly comparable as a Canadian donor-funded diabetes nonprofit competing for the same Canadian donors, corporate partners, and policy influence.

Emerging players

• T1D Exchange: US-based T1D research and data nonprofit operating a clinic network and patient registry. Comparable as a T1D-focused research-enabling organization with partial overlap in clinical trial support.

Regional players

• Diabetes UK: The UK's leading diabetes charity, funding research and advocating for people with all forms of diabetes. Comparable as a national donor-funded diabetes charity with research funding and advocacy operations, but UK-focused.
• JDRF Australia: Australian T1D research charity and Breakthrough T1D affiliate. Comparable in mission, programs, and fundraising model but operating primarily in Australia rather than Canada.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BreakthroughT1D
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BreakthroughT1DCanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/BreakthroughT1DCanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jdrffrdjcanada
• Instagraminstagram.com/breakthrought1dcanada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 JDRF/FRDJ Canada