Featured Charity: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Last year, MADD served a victim of drunk driving every nine minutes. Every half hour, MADD trains a parent in how to talk with their teen about alcohol. What else does MADD do that you didn’t realize? Find out here…
What does your organization do?
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect 
families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® will end this danger on America’s roads. PowerTalk 21® is the national day for parents to talk with their kids about alcohol, using the proven strategies of Power of Parents™ to reduce the risk of underage drinking. And as one of the largest victim services organizations in the U.S., MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every nine minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at 1-877-MADD-HELP.
“The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.” To date, MADD’s work has saved nearly 300,000 lives… and counting.
Where is your organization located?
MADD’s headquarters are located in Irving, TX, but we have affiliates in communities across the U.S. and Guam. You can find your local MADD office online at www.madd.org/local-offices.
How have you responded to the economic crisis?
MADD has tightened its belt along with the rest of the country. However, we’re fortunate to have a large number of dedicated volunteers, so even in places where we’ve had to reduce staff positions, MADD is able to continue serving the community. We have invested to maintain and expand our volunteer base, while also focusing our efforts on core initiatives like our Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®, victim support services and our Power of Parents program to prevent underage drinking.
Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual?
There are holidays where drunk driving is more prevalent, such as New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July and St. Patrick’s Day, but drunk driving happens year round; in fact, almost every 90 seconds, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash.
How can I help?
We need your voice. We need legislators to know that the people they represent do not tolerate drunk driving and want them to take proven, common-sense steps to save lives, like requiring all drunk driving offenders to use an ignition interlock device. On our website, you can find a list of legislative activities MADD is spearheading in your state and learn how to send a personalized e-mail to your representatives about the issues important to you. By participating, you will help pass legislation to keep our roads safe from drunk driving and to prevent underage drinking.
How can my company help?
Any company can work with MADD through employee giving campaigns, our Walk Like MADD events, volunteer campaigns, and/or cause-related marketing, and we’ve been fortunate to have supporters of each type. Companies of all size have supported our walks, in over 35 sites all over the country, with employee teams and corporate donations. Many employees from both large and small companies want to give back to the community, including examples such as:
- General Motors, which holds MADD’s largest employee giving campaign,
- The employees at Appmosphere, who are helping create an iPad app about MADD’s Power of Parents program, and
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DialAmerica, who donates 12.5% of their magazine sales to MADD each year − a program that has helped raise money on behalf of MADD for over the past two decades.
What kind of impact will my donation have? 
Your gift goes immediately back into the communities we service. For example:
- $10 = can provide materials to two parents at a parent workshop to help them have the vital conversation with their children about underage drinking (and as a result, reduce their teen’s risk of drinking by 30%). Considering that underage drinking claims the lives of 6,000 people each year, this is a significant impact.
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$18 = pays for the first hour of victim services for a family in need. When you lose a loved one in a drunk driving crash, not only do you have to deal with the grief, but there are legal, medical, financial and emotional issues that hit you at the same time. Having to deal with these challenges at one of the worst moments of your life is daunting. MADD victim advocates make sure you don’t have to do it alone. Around the country, we want to make sure no victim is without support in this time of need, and it is individual donations that make it possible to train and support MADD’s 1,400 victim advocates.
What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
Many people know about MADD’s legislative advocacy and we are very grateful for the support of millions of Americans who want to change the laws to prevent drunk driving, but we want people to know that MADD is primarily a victim service organization. Last year, we served a victim of drunk driving every nine minutes, including over 5,000 people through our 24/7 victim helpline. Every half hour, we also train a parent in how to talk with their teen about alcohol.
What makes your organization successful?
MADD is successful because of its volunteers and supporters. Nothing matches the power of many voices to educate, and many hands to make light work. Investing in the recruitment, training and thanking of your volunteers pays off.
Do you have any current or upcoming events?
- April 21st is PowerTalk21: In an effort to get the conversation started between parents and teens across the U.S., this is a national day for parents to start talking with their kids about alcohol.
- Walk Like MADD events (throughout the year): These signature fundraising event for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, take place across the country all year long. To join a walk near you, visit www.walklikemadd.org.
Want to learn more about MADD?
Web Site: www.madd.org
Phone: 877.ASK.MADD
Mailing Address:
MADD National Office
511 E. John Carpenter Freeway
Suite 700
Irving, TX 75062
Contact MADD: www.madd.org/about-us/contact-us/
Connect with MADD on:
www.facebook.com/madd.official
www.twitter.com/maddonline
