Translating from the Technical to the Every Day

Jhpiego, an international health nonprofit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins, provides training, health capacity development and support for health providers working in limited resource settings in more than 40 countries, was facing a critical period that could result in loss of its $25 million government portfolio just as new leadership came in, marking a critical period of organizational transition.

Problem

How could a 30-year old health organization comprised of physicians, health trainers and program staff that relied solely on government foreign aid contracts adapt to a changing funding environment to communicate broadly with non-technical audiences and donors to diversify their health portfolio and build a robust organization?

Solution

To establish a communications culture and bring public attention to the successes of the global public health nonprofit, WordsWork designed:

• A robust public outreach program targeted to expand stakeholders.
• Initiate public advocacy efforts and targeted media relations.
• Increase outreach to corporate and foundation donors.
• Build partnerships for delivering evidence-based health care and educating the public through media outreach.

Results

• Jhpiego attained greater recognition for its mission to increase local health capacity in developing countries.
• By broadening its communications outreach through a wide variety of media and clearly defining of its mission, Jhpiego continues to diversify its donor base, expand outreach to partners and the press and share its accomplishments in training health workers worldwide, and to incorporate its successes in innovating low cost health technologies and training to demonstrate a strong ROI for donors.
• As a result of this new outreach, and greater transparency in its work, donors rewarded Jhpiego increased opportunities.