The Ethical Investor Sustainability Awards recognise outstanding achievement in a range of areas of corporate sustainability and two of the eight awards - the Best Practice Charity Award and Best Charity Project Award - recognize excellence in the not-for-profit sector.

The JDRF was selected from a field of over 1600 charities registered on the Givewell database.

"We are absolutely delighted for JDRF's work to be recognized in this way," said Mike Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the JDRF. "Our success relies on the dedication and generosity of thousands of people around Australia who together donate time, money and experience to help JDRF find a cure for type 1 diabetes. This Award is a wonderful acknowledgement of their support, as well as the dedication of our staff around the country."

The award was judged by Givewell, the charity research division of Lifecraft Group, publisher of Ethical Investor magazine, and sponsored by Glebe Asset Management.

In presenting the Award, Dr Jill Thomson Research Analyst of Givewell, explained that the criteria for assessing nominated organisations covered all the qualities donors expect of a 'good' charity, including:

• transparency, accountability and good management
• dealing with root causes and addressing big problems
• acting in tangible ways
• presenting thoughtful programs and good fundraising ideas to raise money creatively
• operating across a range of social capital dimensions, including awareness raising, developing networks, finding a solution; and providing support.

In presenting the award, Robert Forsyth, Bishop of South Sydney and Director of Anglicare, said "This charity never loses sight of its mission, has made some significant achievements in both fundraising and program development and is looking for new ideas to help it make a difference.

"It's achievements include raising awareness, lobbying and advocacy, resulting in partnerships with government and corporations to establish 'world-first' research centres and programs, innovative ideas for fundraising and development of strong corporate partnerships."

JDRF is the world's largest non-profit, non-governmental contributor of funds to diabetes research, funding an estimated 35% of all type 1 diabetes related research globally. In the year ahead, JDRF will commit $9 million to 27 research projects around Australia, as part of its $130 million global research investment. In addition to the research funded solely by JDRF, the organization also supports a $63 million research program in partnership with the NHMRC and federal government.

JDRF, which receives no federal funding, stages well known fundraising events including the Walk To Cure Diabetes, Jelly Baby Month and The Ride To Cure Diabetes, to raise money to continue this vital research.

"We couldn't hope to develop such a significant research program in Australia without the support of our major partners and their staff," said Mr Wilson. "I'd particularly like to acknowledge the outstanding support of Boral, Westpac, Optus, IAG, Ford Australia, Australia Post, Medibank Private, Spotless, IBM, Woolworths, Freehills and PriceWaterhouseCoopers."

"I would also like to thank our dedicated Board of Directors, led by President Susan Alberti AM and Chairman Stephen Higgs, as well as the thousands of supporters who participate in our fundraising events."

Type 1 (also known as juvenile or insulin-dependent) diabetes is the most serious form of diabetes.

"More than 140,000 Australian children and adults suffer from this unpreventable, life-long condition which can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and amputation. In addition to its huge social costs, type 1 diabetes is conservatively estimated to cost the Australian community $2.5 billion to treat each year," said Mr Wilson.

For more information about the awards visit www.ethicalinvestor.com.au. The Awards were presented on 1 December at a luncheon at Sydney's Wentworth Hotel, attended by nearly 300 guests.

For further information:

Karolyn Andrews, Media & PR Manager, JDRF
Ph. 02 9966 0400 (x203) or 0403 787 077 | email: kandrews@jdrf.org.au