Nonprofit Groups With An International Focus

These nonprofit organizations focus on issues of global concern. Many offer professional exchange and/or volunteer opportunities abroad.

American Medical Resources Foundation
"Since its founding in 1988, AMRF has donated over 110 million dollars of medical equipment to hospitals and clinics in developing nations. AMRF requests and receives donations of used medical equipment from hospitals, clinics, and manufacturers throughout the United States." Phone: 508-580-3301. Fax: 508-580-3306.

Canadian Society for International Health
"A national voluntary organization facilitates and supports health and development activities around the world through the mobilization of Canadian and other resources." One Nicholas Street, Suite 1105, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7, Canada. Phone: 613-241-5785. Fax: 613-241-3845.

The Carter Center
"In partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health." Office of Public Information, The Carter Center, One Copenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307. Phone: 404-420-5117.

Catholic Medical Mission Board
"Provides medicines and medical supplies, free of charge, to partner organizations overseas. Our partners then distribute these medicines to those who live in substandard conditions and have little or no hope of receiving even basic medical care. CMMB also recruits and sends volunteers, provides emergency relief, and supports ongoing health-care projects around the world." 10 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011-5765. Phone: 212-242-7757 (toll free 1-800-678-5659). Fax: 212-807-9161.

Center for International Cooperation in Health and Development
"Promotes and supports the health sector reforms of developing countries by making access to basic health services easier and more equitable, by ensuring the sustainability, effectiveness, and efficiency of the initiatives undertaken, and by contributing towards the autonomous and self-sufficient continuation of the projects implemented." Pavillon de l'Est 2180, chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec G1V 0A6 Canada. Phone: 418-656-5525. Fax: 418-656-2627. 

Cleft Palate, Craniofacial Treatment Programs
Since 2001, the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) has had a Position Paper on International Treatment. The Paper

• aims to foster international exchanges and
• ensure safe, high quality cleft lip/palate and craniofacial care

ACPA encourages health professionals and scholars to endorse these standards around the world!

CLASP (Connective Link Among Special needs Programs) International
CLASP (Connective Link Among Special needs Programs) International is a nonprofit healthcare and social service organization that seeks to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities in developing countries. CLASP International accomplishes this by providing formalized disability training to resident professionals in those countries, ultimately seeking to establish self-sustaining programs. Through these rehabilitation programs, CLASP International is a voice for the voiceless, delivering hope to the lives of children and adults living with disabilities. Currently, CLASP International is inserting programming at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia and University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya in Africa. Address: 3419 Westminster Ave. Suite #319, Dallas, TX 75205. Phone: 214-417-0337.

Council of American Overseas Research Centers
Fosters international scholarly exchange through sponsorship of fellowship programs. Smithsonian Institution, NHB Room CE-123, MRC 178, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20560-0178. Phone: 202- 842-8636. Fax: 202-786-2430.

Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES)
Administers Fulbright Scholar Program, which offers grants for college and university faculty as well as professionals. 3007 Tilden Street, NW, Suite 5L, Washington, DC 20008-3009. Phone: 202-686-4000. Fax: 202-362-3442.

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
Offers programs and services that provide perspectives on educational systems. Sponsors on-site development seminars. 633 Third Avenue, 20^th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Phone: 212-822-2600. Fax: 212-822-2779.

Disabled Peoples' International
"DPI is a grassroots, cross-disability network with member organizations in over 158 countries, over half of which are in the developing world. DPI is administrated through the headquarters in Winnipeg Canada and through eight Regional Development Offices." Publishes Disability International.

Doctors Without Borders
An independent medical relief organization with sections in 18 countries, and sends over 2,000 volunteers to over 80 countries annually." U.S. Headquarters: 6 E. 39th Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10016. Phone: 212-679-6800. Fax: 212-679-7016.

Fulbright Exchange Programs
The Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators from the U.S. and other countries. Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State SA-44, 301 4^th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547. Phone: 202-619-4360. Fax: 202-401-5914.

Global Communities
"Global Communities is more than an organization—we are a team of innovators and problem solvers working hand-in-hand with communities to create meaningful, lasting change." Headquarters: 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301-587-4700.

Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss
The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss offers teacher training programs, hearing aid distribution, consultations, and research support to those working with hearing loss in developing countries.

Harding University in Zambia Speech-Language Pathology (HIZ-PATH)
A five-week intensive summer program for graduate level speech-language pathology students. Students will primarily be working with children from birth to four, but will also see additional patients as needed. Anticipated areas of focus will include AIDS related swallowing disorders, language stimulation and enrichment as well as the development of appropriate Zambian assessment measures.

Hearing Link
Hearing Link is a UK-wide charity, active in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for people with any level of hearing loss, their families, and friends. E-mail: enquiries@hearinglink.org

International Disability Alliance (IDA)
“A society which values diversity, respects equality and realizes the full potential of persons with disabilities in order to build a better world for all. To advance the human rights of persons with disabilities as a united voice of organizations of persons with disabilities utilizing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other human rights instruments.” Geneva Office: 42 Chemin du Pommier, CH-1218 Le Grand Saconnex - Geneva, C/O Conseil Ecuménique des Eglises, PO Box 2100, CH-1211 Genève 2.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation's programs are grouped into four main core areas: promoting humanitarian principles and values; disaster response; disaster preparedness; and health and care in the community. PO Box 372, CH-1211 Geneva 19 Switzerland. Phone: +41 (22) 730 4222. Fax: +41 (22) 733 0395. New York Office: 800 Second Avenue, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-338-0161. Fax: 212-338-9832.

International Medical Corps (IMC)
A global humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief programs. 11500 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 506, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Phone: 310-826-7800. Fax: 310-442-6622.

International Medical Volunteers Association (IMVA)
IMVA is a nonprofit organization that promotes, facilitates, and supports voluntary medical activity through education and information exchange. IMVA assists volunteer-seeking organizations, principally non-governmental organizations (NGO's), in locating volunteers to work in their programs and by providing a forum for project cooperation, information, equipment and supply exchange." P.O. Box 205, Woodville, MA 01784. Phone: 508-435-7377. Fax: 508-497-9568.

International School Services
Placement service for American and international schools for both teaching and administrative jobs. 15 Rozel Road, P.O. Box 5910, Princeton, NJ 08543. Phone: 609-452-0990. Fax: 609-452-2690.

International Stuttering Association (ISA)
"A worldwide network of people who stutter, a non-profit umbrella association dedicated to close cooperation among independent national and international self-help organizations of people who stutter." Contact Judith Eckardt, 65208 E. Desert Sands Court, Tucson, AZ 85739.

MediSend International
"Collects supplies from hospitals, clinics, agencies and individuals here in the US and ships in response to requests from pre-qualified charitable institutions abroad that offer medical services to the indigent. Have shipped, since 1990, over 304 shipments weighing almost 310 tons valued at over $625 million to 58 countries." 6116 North Central Expressway, Suite 305, Dallas, TX 75206. Phone: 214-696-0901. Fax: 214-696-4290.

Operation Crossroads Africa
Volunteer organization that sponsors projects related to public health practices. P.O. Box 5570, New York, NY 10027. Phone: 212-289-1949. Fax: 212-289-2526.

Operation Smile
"A volunteer medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States. Operation Smile provides education and training around the world to physicians and other health professionals to achieve long-term self-sufficiency." 6435 Tidewater Drive Norfolk, VA 23509. Phone: 757-321-7645. Fax: 757-321-7660.

Oxfam International/Oxfam America
"Oxfam America is dedicated to creating lasting solutions to hunger, poverty, and social injustice through long-term partnerships with poor communities around the world." Main Office: 26 West Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. Phone: 617-482-1211 (toll free 800-77-OXFAM). Fax: 617-728-2594. DC Office: 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 340, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: 202-393-3544. Fax: 202-783-8739.

PanAfricare
“PanAfricare seeks to implement synergistic activities to improve the Health, Agriculture and Capacity Building of communities in Africa for the benefit of present and future generations. PanAfricare will build on all the experience Africare has gained over the past decades of its existence in order to continue to serve African populations. PanAfricare is committed to the fundamental principles of delivering on the promise of improving life in Africa.” Phone: +221 33 869 74 01. Address: Rue SC 155, Dakar, Senegal.

Partners of the Americas
Links U.S. with Latin America and Caribbean; funds partnership projects for volunteer work. 1424 K Street, NW, #700, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: 202-628-3300. Fax: 202-628-3306.

Project Hope
"Project HOPE sponsors programs appropriate to the country through training, health systems development, health policy analysis, and immediate humanitarian assistance. More than a million Health Professionals have been trained by Project HOPE and is currently active in 31 countries." 255 Carter Hall Lane, Millwood, VA 22646. Phone: 540-837-2100.

Rehabilitation International Global
"RI Global is a global organization and network that empowers persons with disabilities and provides sustainable solutions toward achieving a more inclusive society for them." 866 United Nations Plaza, Office 422, New York, NY 10017. Phone: 212- 420-1500. Email: info@riglobal.org.

Reseach4Life
"Research4Life provides institutions in lower income countries with online access to academic and professional peer-reviewed content. We aim to improve teaching, research and policy-making in health, agriculture, the environment and other life, physical and social sciences." 

The Rockefeller Foundation
"A knowledge-based, global foundation with a commitment to enrich and sustain the lives and livelihoods of poor and excluded people throughout the world." 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018. Phone: 212-869-8500.

Servas
International cooperative system of hosts and travelers. U.S. Servas Committee, 1125 16th Street, Suite 201, Arcata, CA 95521-5585. Phone: 707-825-1714.

Small World Foundation
Provide free reconstructive surgery for children and adults throughout the United States and the world who have no access or resources. 5353 North Federal Highway, Suite 301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone: 954-351-7737. Fax: 954-351-7738.

Smiles for Speech
Smiles for Speech is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable access to training and resources for children with communication disorders in underserved communities, primarily in Ghana and Kenya. By offering mentorship and professional development opportunities, they aim to foster self-sufficiency, community involvement, and local capacity-building. 930 St. Nicholas Ave #45, New York, NY 10032. Phone: 917-673-9062

Uplift International
Uplift recruits volunteer healthcare and support personnel willing to share expertise and provide care to children of indigent families with facial deformities, primarily clefts of the lip and palate, in rural Philippines. The project, named Operation Taghoy, has support of a consortium of Philippine and U.S. Rotary Clubs, in addition to individual and corporate donors.

World Federation of the Deaf
"WFD represents approximately 70 million people. Membership comprises national organizations of Deaf people in 120 countries; and associate, international and individual members." P.O. Box 65, FIN-00401, Helsinki, Finland. This group is particularly interested in inquiries from ASHA members for consideration to participate in the program.