Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontiéres (MSF USA))

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent, international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Against a backdrop of the proliferation of armed conflicts, highly dynamic spread of infectious disease, global climate change, and unprecedented disruption to like-minded organizations, the work of MSF has never been more urgent.

International project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. MSF actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality; at the same time, teams bear witness and speak out about the experiences of colleagues and patients.

MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, programmatic support, and communications. Founded in 1990, MSF USA now has more than 250 staff working at its headquarters in New York City and offices in Washington, D.C., and Oakland. MSF USA is governed by an association made up of current and former MSF staff members who elect the Board of Directors, which in turn defines strategic direction, and holds the team accountable for their work. In addition, there is a US Advisory Board, which is made up of volunteers who lend their time and expertise to support the medical humanitarian mission. These independent advisors are not involved in governance decisions.

Today, MSF USA is a significant contributor to the global movement’s revenue, operational capacity, and public profile. They rely entirely on individual donors and private institutions for financial support, and do not accept funding from the U.S. government. In 2023, of the 7.3 million donors and private institutions who raised over $2.5 billion for MSF globally, U.S. donors contributed more than $745 million; 87 percent of this was directed to programs ($147 million spent in the United States), 12 percent to fundraising, and 1 percent to cover administration. And, in 2024, U.S. donor contributions increased to $750 million. MSF USA advocates on behalf of patients and communities through public communications and direct engagement with representatives of the U.S. government, United Nations, multilateral institutions, and civil society organizations.

For more insight, please visit https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/