Help me support diabetes research with Brenda Novak

Author Brenda Novak’s son has Type I diabetes. Ten years ago, she decided to do something about it, and she launched Brenda Novak’s Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research, benefitting the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). In the past nine years, the auction has raised $2 million!

This is the third year my friends and I at KissAndThrill.com have donated to the auction, and I hope you’ll join us in supporting this fantastic cause.

Come check out our goody- and book-filled tote bag, and the amazing and fabulous items that others have donated. Some are author/writing related, but many are not.

Fancy a Led Zeppelin autographed copy of “Stairway to Heaven” sheet music?

Or maybe you’d like to take a hike in New Mexico with autor Douglas Preston?

You could be a character in one of several famous authors’ books (e.g. David Baldacci), spend a day with a world-class bridge player, get a critique from an editor at your favorite publishing house, or take an African safari for two.

All in the name of a cure.

I hope you’ll at least take a look. Thanks!

7 Comments

Curtis

15 / May / 2014

Back in the day I spent something on the order of 10 years raising money for a University. This is sort of what it looks like on the surface. There is more going on than meets the eye. That’s just kind of how it works. Thanks for sharing the concern.
- Gwen Hernandez
  
  15 / May / 2014
  
  Curtis: I was surprised to see that the DRI is part of a university, but then, that’s where a lot of our advances come from, right? I don’t know the details of how the funds are distributed. Probably should find out… Thanks!
Curtis

15 / May / 2014

Does the auction have a non-profit status? 501c3
- Gwen Hernandez
  
  15 / May / 2014
  
  Curtis: Yes: http://501c3lookup.org/brenda_novaks_online_auction_for_diabetes_research/. As does the beneficiary of the auction: http://www.diabetesresearch.org/diabetes-research-institute-foundation. 🙂
Curtis

15 / May / 2014

Gwen: Thank you. It is actually a 509(a)(2). Meaning the entity can have three sources of income. 1.Investments. 2.Charitable Gifts and what the IRS refers to as 3. Unrelated business taxable income. #3 is what keeps it from being a 501(c)3. It is little wonder the fund raising has been so successful. This is exciting to see someone put this much thought and effort into producing positive results. Ms. Novack clearly intends for the effort to be around for “the duration” and do its job exceptionally well.

As a fund raiser I cannot begin to tell you how innovative this is. DRI is a 501(c)3. For a 501(c)3 to have someone associated with it who will organize a fundraising effort of this nature brings a synergy to the program that comes in no other way. Oddly enough, it is not about money. It is about the people involved. Involve people and the money will happen. I know, everyone thinks its about raising money. Again, thank you for posting this event.

P.S. What I learned from raising money. For all of our divisions and in-house squabbling the American people are unbelievably generous people. Good years. Bad years. Or, when cynics seem to rule. We the people want to fix whats broken and are willing to support that goal with time, effort and money. End of poem. 🙂
- Gwen Hernandez
  
  16 / May / 2014
  
  Thanks, Curtis. 🙂
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