The WHO Foundation was established in early 2020 in Geneva to support the World Health Organization’s mission of health equity for all. The group raised $100 million in its four years, marshalling resources from corporations, philanthropies, and individuals, with a majority of funding going to WHO programs and another portion going to a network of implementers, like the vaccine alliance that helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children.
Projects
Moving People to Act on Global Health Equity
Sector
Economic justiceOffer
Brand expressionClient
WHO Foundation
Our approach
Design question
Despite decades of progress, the dream of global health equity remains stubbornly elusive. Factors like climate change, associated increases in vector-borne diseases, socioeconomic inequality, and associated increases in mental health conditions combine to make the need for increased private capital exceedingly clear. But how to paint this picture for funders unaccustomed to giving in the global-health space?
Design response
The WHO Foundation is unique in the realm of world health. Its express mission is not just to raise funds but to mobilize private capital in particular. It is laser-focused on advancing the mission of WHO and publicly commits to deep human-centricity—a devotion to the people whose lives depend on WHO’s work. Not only is this private-sector focus and vocal dedication to human-centered design rare among UN agencies—the WHO Foundation is also unique in its focus on innovation. For this foundation, the problem is not the vision or the idea—the challenge is simply communicating such a different approach to the field. It takes a unique combination of social impact strategy, technical writing and analysis, and breathtaking visual design.
