Frequently Asked Questions
About Heart to Heart

We’re trying to make your job of covering us a little easier by giving you the standard answers to frequently asked questions about Heart to Heart International. Feel free to fill out the Media Inquiry Form to schedule an interview or ask more questions. In the meantime, here are our Top 10 FAQs:

 

What is Heart to Heart International?

Heart to Heart International is a global humanitarian organization. Our core purpose is to create a healthier world. All of our activities are geared to improve global health. We expect to achieve our mission by connecting people and resources to a world in need.

Though our name is derived from our inaugural project—a private airlift from Kansas City (the heart of America) to Moscow (the heart of Russia)—we have always served as a humanitarian connection. Whether it’s a volunteer, donor or partner, Heart to Heart strives to utilize these resources and address health concerns around the world.

 

How long has Heart to Heart International been around?

Heart to Heart was founded on January 31, 1992. In just a few short years, we have transitioned from being a grassroots network of volunteers in the Midwest to becoming a world-class humanitarian organization that has a seat at the table on critical discussions related to global relief and development.

 

Why is Heart to Heart based in Kansas?

We get that question a lot, especially from folks on the coasts and overseas. First, our offices are not in a wheat field (a common misconception of Kansas-based organizations). Second, we are actually based in Olathe, a suburb of the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area and home to 115,000 people. We are proud of our Midwestern roots and we consider ourselves a Kansas City-based organization.

By the way, Kansas City is one of the most charitable cities (per capita) in America and it has one the highest concentrations (per capita) of volunteer activity in the country. So we are based in a hotbed of philanthropy and volunteerism.

After explaining all this, our response to this frequently asked question is this: Why wouldn’t we want to be based here?

 

What is Heart to Heart trying to do through its humanitarian programs?

Our core purpose is to create a healthier world. That purpose plays out in four areas of strategic focus—improving health, responding to people in crisis, distributing medical aid, and strengthening communities.

Our programs address health capacity and access issues around the world. Our relief efforts focus primarily on providing a quality medical response to save lives and restore communities.

 

Where is Heart to Heart working?

We have humanitarian operations in every major region of the world. We also support ongoing health initiatives in nearly 60 countries, including the United States.

Most of Heart to Heart’s work is located in least-developed countries or underserved regions, where the patient-to-provider ratio is disproportionately high.

 

What does Heart to Heart do in the United States?

Heart to Heart is very active across the United States. Not only do we address health concerns internationally, but we also take care of needs at home. We work alongside free health clinics and other safety-net agencies to increase community access to essential health services in major population centers from coast to coast.

In times of disaster, Heart to Heart is ready to respond when community needs exceed the local capacity to address the needs. We fill the gap in medical care until the local health system has the capacity to resume patient care within its community.

 

How does Heart to Heart choose where it works?

Heart to Heart only goes where it is needed or where the scope of our services is a good fit. We typically work in underserved regions where the patient-to-provider ratio is disproportionately high or in communities where local needs exceed the ability to address those needs.

 

How does Heart to Heart choose when to respond to a disaster?

At any given time, Heart to Heart is monitoring 10-12 different crises around the world. We are part of the international response community, so we are tuned in on the local needs.

Our response is often predicated by an international or federal “911” call for our assistance. When we receive the call, we mobilize quickly for action, because of our emphasis on disaster readiness.

In times of disaster, Heart to Heart is ready to respond when community needs exceed the local capacity to address the needs. We fill the gap in medical care until the local health system has the capacity to resume patient care within its community.

 

How does Heart to Heart raise support?

We receive support from a diverse donor base that includes major companies, local businesses, foundations, civic organizations, schools, universities, faith communities, and individuals.

We use a multi-functional approach to raise support for our humanitarian operations, including corporate relations, direct marketing, online giving, grant writing, special events, community events, tradeshows, speaking engagements, and media relations.

Much of our support comes in the form of gift-in-kind donations of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. We also solicit donations of professional services from select industries.

 

How much of the money reaches those in need?

Historically, more than 98 percent of all contributions goes directly to Heart to Heart's humanitarian programs. Additionally, our procurement efforts enable us to distribute, on average, more than $25 in aid for every $1 we receive in support.

Through our programs we change literally millions of lives each year by providing life-saving medications, sharing new insights affecting the medical treatment of people around the world, reaching out to the lonely and forgotten, raising awareness of the world's homeless, and giving thousands of people the opportunity to be involved in something bigger than themselves and change their world in the process.

Contact our Strategic Communications staff