MedShare is a 501c(3) humanitarian aid organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people, communities and our planet by sourcing and directly delivering surplus medical supplies and equipment to communities in need around the world.
MedShare helps increase health system capacity and drives sustainability by providing biomedical equipment training and service to healthcare organizations and medical professionals serving populations in need.
MedShare’s deliveries of vital medical supplies and equipment have decreased our nation’s carbon footprint and brought health, healing and the promise of better lives to 100 countries and countless patients.
What We Do
Recovering Supplies
MedShare has collected over $240 million worth of life saving medical supplies and equipment.
MedShare has diverted over 17.5 million pounds of quality and unused medical products from local landfills.
MedShare has received medical supplies and equipment from hundreds of hospitals and corporations.
Matching Needs
MedShare supplies nearly 1,000 under-resourced free and safety net clinics in marginalized communities.
MedShare has equipped over 930,000 healthcare professionals in underserved communities around the world.
MedShare has built an annual volunteer corps of 16,000 humanitarians.
Improving Healthcare & the Environment
MedShare has helped strengthen local health systems and served over 32 million people in medically underserved areas around the world.
MedShare has delivered lifesaving medical supplies and equipment to 117 countries and territories worldwide.
MedShare has provided biomedical training and support to over 7,000 healthcare professionals in 18 countries on equipment delivered to healthcare facilities around the world.
The Problem
In the developing world, over 5 million children under the age of five die from inadequate medical care every year. (Source: World Health Organization, 2021)
At the same time, hospitals in the United States generate over two million tons of medical surplus each year. Much of that surplus is unused, unexpired medical supplies and equipment. (Source: Healthcare Without Harm)
The Solution
MedShare. We work with hospitals, distributors and manufacturers to collect and redistribute medical products to qualified healthcare facilities in medically underserved communities.
MedShare is committed to measuring progress toward the ambitious goals set in our organization’s strategic plan each fiscal year. Annually, MedShare quantifies its success in meeting our mission objectives by quantifying the following:
Measuring the number of 40-foot container shipments delivered each fiscal year
Measuring the amount of waste diverted from local landfills and pounds of supplies received from hospital collections and manufacturers
Measuring financial success by our ability to maintain fiscal efficiency so that our revenue exceeds expenses, while keeping our percentage of administrative and fundraising costs low
Measuring fundraising success based upon the percent of donor support that is renewed annually
Surveying our recipients to determine the impact of the delivery of medical supplies and equipment in the community
The MedShare Story & Timeline
In 1998, A.B. Short and Bob Freeman were concerned with the large amount of discarded medical supplies and equipment and the critical healthcare needs of medically underserved populations. In an effort to address these disparities, MedShare was born.
1998
MedShare prepares to deliver the first 40-foot container shipment of medical supplies and equipment to Costa Rica.
2000
MedShare receives the first foundation gift of $250,000 from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, serving as a “seal of approval” for the nonprofit.
2002
MedShare sees a 50% increase in medical supply shipments from 2001, increasing from 15 to 30 40-foot containers delivered.
2004
MedShare pilots a project to provide enhanced biomedical training to recipient hospitals where staff engineers travel in-country to train end-users on how to operate and repair donated equipment.
2005
MedShare moved into a 50,000 square-foot facility, doubling the size of the previous location.
2006
MedShare averages 320 volunteers monthly and surpasses a milestone by delivering $35 million of supplies and equipment worldwide.
2007
MedShare’s national expansion begins by hiring an executive director for the Western Region.
2008
MedShare celebrates the grand opening of a second distribution center in San Leandro, California.
2008
MedShare is recognized by Charity Navigator with a 4th place ranking on their Top 10 List of Slam Dunk Charities.
2009
MedShare delivers its 500th 40-foot container of medical supplies and equipment to benefit Santa Rosa Maternity Hospital in Ecuador. This shipment was sponsored by the organization’s newly-formed Southeast Regional Council.
2009
The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation presents MedShare with a $400,000 grant, the largest program grant received by MedShare.
2009
The state of California recognizes MedShare as a recipient of the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP).
2009
Charity Navigator names MedShare a Top Charity Providing Humanitarian Relief Supplies; the nonprofit is ranked #2 on their Top 10 List of Highly-Rated Charities Relying on Private Contributions; and ranked #2 on their Top 10 List of Slam Dunk Charities.
2009
MedShare claims a $500,000 capital campaign challenge to complete the endowment of the organization’s national headquarters and Southeastern distribution center.
2010
For the first time, MedShare delivers over 100 40-foot containers of vital medical supplies and equipment within a calendar year.
2010
After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, MedShare responds by delivering 28 containers of critical medical supplies and equipment, outfits over 80 medical mission teams and provides biomedical equipment training and repair.
2010
In an effort to make warehouses more environmentally friendly, MedShare installs motion-activated lights to conserve energy.
2011
Exceeded diverting 2.3 million cubic feet of reusable materials from local landfills.
2011
Formed the New York Regional Council and explored expansion opportunities in the New York tri-state region.
2012
A new chief operating officer, Charles Redding, is named.
MedShare begins expansion efforts in the New York metropolitan area.
2012
MedShare delivers its 800th 40-foot container shipment in the nonprofit’s history.
2013
MedShare staff, trustees and council members travel to Haiti to visit hospital partners and clinics.
2013
MedShare hosted the annual “Share the Good Gala” in New York City, to support the Northeast Region Volunteer and Collection Center.
2014
On May 14, 2014 MedShare celebrated shipping its 1,000th ocean container! The shipment was sent to Donka Hospital in Guinea.
2014
MedShare names a new CEO and President, Charles Redding, formerly MedShare’s Chief Operating Officer.
2015
MedShare further refines its work by articulating its Theory of Change and aligning its work around four new programs.
2016
MedShare partners with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia to send 60 shipment donations…
2017
CEO & President, Charles Redding, travels to Liberia to assess healthcare needs.
2018
MedShare celebrates 20 years of impact!
Our People
Accomplishing all that we do requires the leadership, passion, and hard work of many people, each playing a vital role.
The Board of Trustees is MedShare’s governing body, responsible for the fiduciary, strategic and generative oversight and direction of the organization. MedShare’s CEO and President, Charles Redding, reports to the Board of Trustees. 100% of our Board supports the organization’s annual and capital fundraising campaigns. Members serve without compensation.
Regional Councils generate awareness in MedShare’s areas of operation and raise funds to support and sustain our healthcare, humanitarian aid, and environmental mission. They link MedShare’s work to the communities we serve and are a supportive resource to the board and management.
MedShare always strives to handle our finances with the utmost integrity and to remain accountable to our donors, which is why we have been consistently rated a 4-Star Charity by Charity Navigator. Here you can view and download our latest and most recent annual reports and our most up-to-date financial reports.