Congenital Hyperinsulinism International
CHI steps up social giving presence with turnkey peer-to-peer fundraising solution.
As Congenital Hyperinsulinism International races to raise awareness and funding for treatments for a life-threatening disease many people have never heard about, the nonprofit’s staff adopted an inviting social giving solution that integrates easily with the other Blackbaud solutions CHI already had in place, saving valuable time.
The sooner a baby with hyperinsulinism is diagnosed, the better. While the disease can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low, intervention and treatment can help protect children from related brain damage and even death. But hyperinsulinism only occurs in an estimated 1 in 25,000 to 50,000 births in most countries, and that rarity creates its own set of challenges.
Understanding those challenges on a very personal level, a dynamic group of parents banded together in 2011 to create Congenital Hyperinsulinism International with three main tenets: awareness, support, and research.
Beyond the board of directors and countless volunteers, the small nonprofit is run by a New-Jersey-based staff of three and a half. Their to-do list includes managing a worldwide hyperinsulinism patient registry, organizing two annual conferences, and supporting a cycling team in the Million Dollar Bike Ride put on by the Penn Medicine Orphan Disease Center.
“We never have a minute to spare with our lifesaving agenda, so having the right tools is really important,” Associate Director Jennifer Schmitt said.
A Social Giving Solution with Flexibility and Style
A promising new technology in their toolbox is JustGiving® from Blackbaud®, which has supported CHI’s cycling team in the Million Dollar Bike Ride. CHI was one of the first Blackbaud customers to adopt JustGiving from Blackbaud, and Schmitt said she appreciates its aesthetic appeal.
“I’m not a graphic designer, but I have a background and love for graphic design, and I really liked that side of (JustGiving)—the practical side of setting it up and how we could change our logos, customize, and use our brand. I thought that was really great and better than what similar platforms offered.” She also appreciated the solution’s ability to translate images and setups for different formats, especially mobile phones, “the most important format to get.”
