DMANF Recognizes Doctors Without Borders as 2007 Nonprofit Organization of the Year

August 9, 2007 — The Nonprofit Federation of the Direct Marketing Association (DMANF) has announced that the US division of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is its 2007 Nonprofit Organization of the Year. This annual DMANF award recognizes outstanding achievement by a nonprofit organization using direct-response marketing to advance its mission.

Alyssa Herman, director of development for the US section of MSF, will accept the award today as part of DMANF’s 2007 New York Nonprofit Conference, which was held August 7-9 at The Waldorf=Astoria.

“MSF not only serves as a shining example to organizations that strive for excellence in mission delivery, but it has developed a stellar fundraising and marketing program to help support its humanitarian efforts,” said Awards Committee Chairman Craig Floyd, chief executive officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “We were most impressed with its successful use of direct marketing techniques to build support and awareness.”

Each year, MSF doctors, nurses, logisticians, water and sanitation experts, administrators, and other medical and non-medical professionals participate in more than 4,700 aid missions. They work alongside more than 25,800 locally hired staff to provide medical care and emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural and man-made disasters, and exclusion from health-care in more than 70 countries. The organization was awarded the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize, one of only 19 organizations to have received the globally prestigious honor since its inception in 1901.

The DMA Nonprofit Federation’s Awards Committee examined the following accomplishments in its decision to recognize MSF-USA with the organization’s top honor:

· Built its donor base to more than 500,000 active donors in a relatively short period of time, beginning its direct marketing efforts in the 1990’s.

· Grew its donor base by more than 85 percent since 2001, and increased its revenue by more than 100 percent.

· Maintained 50 percent retention of new donors year over year

· Operated with integrity as demonstrated by announcing that it would not accept any more Tsunami donations in 2005.

· Increased its budget in the US from just under $15 million in 1997 to over $140 million in 2007.

· Allocated more than 85 percent of its expenditures to mission-specific programs and public education activities.

“It is inspiring to see MSF’s financial growth through its strong cultivation of supporters,” said Jo Sullivan of the ASPCA and chair of the DMANF. “Without its efforts, victims of disasters and of armed conflict would not receive desperately-needed medical treatment. There are few that show the courage and dedication of MSF to its mission.”

Commenting on the award, MSF Marketing Director Jennifer Tierney said, “We are honored by this recognition from our peers and fellow nonprofit organizations. We thank the American public for its generosity. They allow us to continue our important work throughout the world.”

About The Nonprofit Federation

Since 1982, the Nonprofit Federation of the Direct Marketing Association (DMANF) (www.nonprofitfederation.org) and its predecessor organizations have been aggressive and effective advocates for nonprofits in postal, regulatory, legislative, and accountability issues. It has led the way in professional education, networking, and industry advancement. The Nonprofit Federation is the premier agent for improving public awareness and receptivity to marketing-driven philanthropy, and is the “top brand” among all associations and advocacy groups working on behalf of nonprofits in this area. With more than 400 members, the Nonprofit Federation is the leading association for organizations that use direct marketing media such as mail, telephone, e-mail, and the Web to communicate with donors, members, customers, and the public. The members of the Nonprofit Federation help raise over $295 billion per year for charity.

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