The Deed team sat down with Watsi to talk about their important mission, and how companies can help drive more impact.
For our latest Nonprofit Spotlight, Deed connected with Mackinnon Engen, Executive Director at Watsi, to discover more about the meaningful work they’re doing and their expanding collaboration with Deed.
Watsi is a global healthcare nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to life-changing medical care for people in need around the world. They address a critical gap in healthcare by connecting donors directly with patients who require treatment that would otherwise be inaccessible due to financial or systemic barriers. Through a streamlined tech platform, Watsi enables individuals and companies to fund essential surgeries, ensuring that patients receive care regardless of their location or income. By prioritizing underserved populations, including those in low-resource regions, Watsi empowers patients to regain health, improve quality of life, and strengthen their communities.
In our conversation, Mackinnon highlighted the importance of making it easy for donors to support life-changing efforts across the globe.
“Watsi was founded on a simple observation: often the biggest barrier to healthcare in low-income countries is money, sometimes even a very small amount. Our founder, Chase, saw this firsthand while finishing the Peace Corps in Costa Rica, when a woman on a bus was raising funds for her child’s healthcare. Everyone on the bus contributed a little, and together they could make a real difference. This experience, combined with the potential of technology to connect people and resources, inspired the creation of Watsi. Volunteers from around the world came together to launch the platform. After an early post on Hacker News went viral, Chase and co-founder Grace left their jobs to dedicate themselves full-time to building Watsi.”
“Watsi works with carefully vetted hospitals and medical teams around the world. When a patient cannot afford necessary surgery, their story is shared on Watsi.org, where anyone can contribute, even as little as five dollars. All donations go directly to patient care, covering the hospital bill. Donors can follow the impact of their contributions and receive updates on patients’ progress after care. Many donors join Watsi’s Universal Fund, a monthly giving program that supports a new patient each month. This steady support allows Watsi to partner with hospitals more effectively, provide reliable high-quality care, and invest in medical training programs to improve outcomes for patients long-term.”
“Some things about Watsi have stayed the same, including our focus on helping individuals and being direct, efficient, and radically transparent. Since our early days, we have grown in both scale and depth. We have developed stronger systems using technology, built a rigorous vetting process for medical partners, and created tools that allow donors to see exactly where their money goes. Programs like our Universal Fund provide consistent support, and we remain committed to 100 percent of donations going directly to patient care. To date, we have directed over twenty million dollars to patients in thirty-four countries. Our current focus is on deepening trust, showing the human side of our work, and demonstrating the real impact of every donation.”
“I’ve always felt a strong alignment with Deed. The idea that giving and helping should be easy, simple, and even joyful really resonates with me. Too often, organizations have lost sight of that. Filling out donation forms can feel drudgery, with very few moments of delight or connection. That’s something Watsi has always prioritized, and I love seeing Deed built with that same focus in mind.
I’ve also seen how much potential there is in corporate giving. There are billions of dollars in matching gift programs that go unused every year. If people could fully take advantage of their employers’ generosity, the positive impact would be enormous. By making that process easier, platforms like Deed allow organizations like Watsi to access more critical support, reach more patients, and ultimately make a bigger difference in the world at a moment when there is tremendous need.”
“One way people can support Watsi is by volunteering. We have an active volunteer program, especially for companies looking for virtual opportunities for their employees and teams. Every day, we receive stories from patients around the world, and our global team of volunteer editors works to get these stories ready to publish on our site. Companies and individuals can help through short “power hour” sessions or ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout the year. We’ve also partnered with companies for skills-based volunteering in areas like marketing and strategy. Because our team is relatively small compared to the scale of our work, volunteers can multiply the impact of what we’re able to accomplish.
Another important way to support us is through word of mouth. If our work resonates with people, sharing it - “Have you heard of Watsi?” - it is incredibly valuable. Right now, we’re highlighting our work on women’s health, where there is a significant gap in access to care. Supporting women’s health not only helps families and communities thrive, but it also has a massive economic impact. Closing this gap could add more than a trillion dollars to the global economy every year, so spreading awareness and helping others get involved is a powerful way to make a real difference.”
“Every year on April 7th, Watsi celebrates World Health Day, highlighting the incredible work of healthcare professionals around the world, including community health workers, nurses, and doctors. These individuals dedicate themselves to ensuring every patient can access the care they need. Watsi shines a light on their efforts, supporting them so they can provide high-quality care. This focus on recognizing and helping healthcare workers continues year-round. Beyond World Health Day, Watsi encourages donors and communities to celebrate and support healthcare workers in ways that strengthen patient care and improve health outcomes everywhere.”
Deed’s conversation with Mackinnon highlighted just how critical access to healthcare is around the world. Watsi was founded to address that gap, connecting people and values-driven companies directly to patients who need life-changing medical care, and supporting hospitals and medical teams that make this care possible. Through their innovative model, Watsi ensures that patients, no matter where they live or their financial situation, can receive the treatment they need to thrive.
There are many ways to support this mission, from donating to volunteering or sharing the organization’s story. We encourage you to visit Watsi’s profile on Deed and their current campaign to learn more and get involved.