Mission Statement: "The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Since its founding, JDRF has awarded more than $900 million to diabetes research, including more than $98 million in fiscal year 2005."

This is the "Mary Tyler Moore" charity from our childhood. She remains the International Chairman to this day, and according to Forbes, Barron's, and SmartMoney Magazine, it is one of the best charities out there.

Charity Navigator: 3 out of 4 stars

American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) : A (in their select group of top-rated charities)