Rob Carter serves as the managing director of development for Deafness Research Foundation (DRF). He spoke with Hearing Health about the important fundraising efforts that enable DRF to fund innovative, cutting-edge research.
HH: Describe your role as DRF’s managing director of development.
Carter: I manage a team of staff who work to raise the funds needed to support the important programs of DRF. Our main mission is to provide funding to promising, innovative researchers in the field of hearing and balance science. The development team’s job is to raise money to fund the most promising researchers.
Throughout its 48-year history, DRF has awarded more than 1,900 grants, totaling over $23 million, to scientists whose work has contributed to the development of cochlear implants, universal newborn hearing screening efforts, surgical therapy for otosclerosis, understanding of hair cell regeneration and more.
This past year, DRF received a total of 58 applications from top research institutions around the country; the DRF Council of Scientific Trustees (CST) reviewed those applications for scientific merit. We were proud to be able to fund 20 highly qualified researchers. (A complete list of 2006-2007 grant recipients can be found beginning on page 8.)
HH: What are DRF’s fundraising goals this year?
Carter: This past fiscal year, DRF had a goal of raising $2.3 million and it is my hope that by the end of the year we will reach $2.5 million. Although a great deal of these funds will be spent directly on research, there is also the administration of the foundation itself, management and production of Hearing Health magazine, not to mention supporting conferences and events that bring medical and scientific professionals together with donors. To be sure, DRF is a complex organization but our central mission remains as it has been for close to 50 years – to fund innovative research in hearing and balance science.
We do hope to provide funding to a greater number of researchers in the future, and certainly when our fundraising efforts exceed the goals we establish, we will be able to provide the CST and the DRF Board of Directors with the opportunity to fund additional researchers – that’s really what we’re all about.
HH: Would you share how DRF receives its funds?
Carter: DRF is fortunate to have a diverse funding base that includes support from a wide variety of sources that includes individuals, foundations and corporations.
Like many other nonprofit organizations across the country, we derive most of our funding from individuals, such as the readers of this magazine. In fact, contributions from individuals make up more than two-thirds of DRF’s revenue each year.
We also have been fortunate to receive many charitable gifts and grants from foundations who wish to support medical research.
Corporations also support DRF by sponsoring conferences such as the Clinical Research Conference held last March in Maryland. This conference enabled young investigators to transform their research ideas into feasible protocols that could form the bases of viable grant applications.
Corporate support often comes through advertisements in Hearing Health magazine, which serves as DRF’s primary channel for public outreach and education to a national audience. We continue to look for new advertisers as well, and our readership is an attractive audience for many companies to reach with their marketing dollars.
In addition to individuals, foundations and corporations, DRF raises funds in several other ways. For example, we have a major fundraising event once a year. This year’s event, “Celebration of Hearing Health,” was held in May at the Maritime Hotel in New York City and honored three individuals who have contributed greatly to hearing and balance sciences. We had hoped to raise $400,000 and we eclipsed that, raising more than $600,000 – which is very exciting.
DRF also has the long-standing Centurions program for otolaryngologists, audiologists and other leaders in the hearing and balance science field. The Centurions is a premier group that provides financial and academic support to DRF, allowing us to continue our important work.
HH: What are specific ways individuals can give to DRF?
Carter: There are a number of ways people can give to DRF. A cash gift by check is probably the most common method. Readers may notice that each issue of Hearing Health includes a postage-paid envelope in the center binding of the magazine. Our mailing address is also located on the “Opening Lines” page, along with the letter from the chairman of our Board of Directors. In addition, we send out the occasional mailing to our supporters (both new and old), asking them if they will continue to support DRF with a contribution.
Another major area of support is through planned giving from donors’ trusts or estates. Planned giving is especially effective because it integrates donors’ charitable giving with their overall financial and legal goals. Outright bequests, whatever the amount, are exempt from federal estate tax and the inheritance taxes of many states. In particular, with passing of new legislation, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) make ideal charitable bequests.
Further, many companies offer matching gift programs that encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations. In most of these programs, companies match employees’ gifts dollar for dollar. I encourage those considering a gift to DRF to check with their employers to see if they offer matching gifts. DRF is happy to facilitate the necessary paperwork.
Some people give in honor of friends, neighbors and loved ones who have suffered from hearing loss and have had the opportunity to benefit from DRF’s contributions to the scientific field. DRF is proud and honored to receive these gifts; it’s a wonderful opportunity for people to make a tribute to their loved ones and to support DRF at the same time.
