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548 MARKET ST 75903
San Francisco CA 94104-5401
San Francisco CA | IRS ruling year: 2012 | EIN: 45-3236734
WATSI, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") IS A SAN FRANCISCO-BASED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS TECHNOLOGY TO FINANCE HEALTHCARE FOR PATIENTS AROUND THE WORLD ... (More)
WATSI, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") IS A SAN FRANCISCO-BASED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS TECHNOLOGY TO FINANCE HEALTHCARE FOR PATIENTS AROUND THE WORLD. SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2012, WATSI HAS HELPED MORE THAN 20,000 PATIENTS ACCESS LIFE-CHANGING HEALTHCARE. WATSI, INC. HAS BEEN FEATURED AS A TOP CHARITY BY THE BBC, THE NEW YORK TIMES, NPR, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND FAST COMPANY. WATSI MESO IS A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM FOR ADMINISTERING HEALTH INSURANCE IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES. THE PLATFORM STREAMLINES TASKS LIKE ENROLLMENT, CLAIMS PROCESSING, AND REPORTING, TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEMS AND PROVIDE COVERAGE TO MORE PATIENTS. WATSI CROWDFUNDING IS A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM THAT ENABLES PATIENTS AROUND THE WORLD TO RAISE MONEY FROM DONORS TO COVER THE COST OF THEIR SURGERY. (Less)
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This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Watsi is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Watsi has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2019, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 3/5 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 3/5 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 1.44% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 1.44% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 88.74% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 88.74% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2019
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Watsi) or EIN (453236734) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Watsi reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Administrative Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
As our support relies on individual giving, uncertainty in the global economy had a negative impact on our fundraising, especially in Q2 and Q3 of 2020.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Our programs support access to healthcare and safe surgery for people around the world. Due to the COVID pandemic, we had a number of local partner hospitals that had programs significantly impacted. While there was even greater need, the ability to sustain access to healthcare services through COVID lockdowns and with hospitals needing to shift resources due to COVID was impacted negatively. Particularly our health programs where patients need to travel across regional or border areas saw a negative impact through 2021 due to limitations on movement related to COVID.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
While our local medical partners and patients always come first, we were driven even more to make sure we are meeting their needs during the crisis. We increased communications to ensure we were being responsive and supportive throughout the crisis and also, where possible, made sure our support was as flexible, consistent, and reliable as could be. In some cases, we were able to scale up support due to urgent/crisis needs and hope to be able to sustain higher levels of support for our hospital partners and patients in the future as well.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
While our local medical partners and patients always come first, we were driven even more to make sure we are meeting their needs during the crisis. We increased communications to ensure we were being responsive and supportive throughout the crisis and also, where possible, made sure our support was as flexible, consistent, and reliable as could be. In some cases, we were able to scale up support due to urgent/crisis needs and hope to be able to sustain higher levels of support for our hospital partners and patients in the future as well.
Not Currently Scored
Watsi cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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Watsi reported its largest program on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
WATSI, INC. ENABLES ANYONE TO DONATE AS LITTLE AS $5 TO DIRECTLY FUND LIFE-CHANGING HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. WATSI HAS PARTNERED WITH 8 VETTED MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS ("MEDICAL PARTNERS") ... (More)
WATSI, INC. ENABLES ANYONE TO DONATE AS LITTLE AS $5 TO DIRECTLY FUND LIFE-CHANGING HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. WATSI HAS PARTNERED WITH 8 VETTED MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS ("MEDICAL PARTNERS") IN 25 DIFFERENT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO FUND LIFE-CHANGING HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD IT. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WATSI HAS RAISED $20M TO PROVIDE MEDICAL TREATMENT TO ASSIST THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PAY. THE ORGANIZATION'S MEDICAL PARTNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IDENTIFYING AND SCREENING PATIENTS IN NEED OF HEALTHCARE, SENDING THE ORGANIZATION INFORMATION ABOUT THE PATIENTS, AND PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE.WATSI, INC. BUILDS TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH COVERAGE. THE COVERAGE PLATFORM ENABLES EFFICIENT ENROLLMENT OF MEMBERS. ONCE ENROLLED, MEMBERS CAN ACCESS HELATHCARE AT THE CLINIC WHENEVER THEY NEED. CLINIC STAFF USE THE COVERAGE PLATFORM TO IDENTIFY MEMBERS WHEN THEY VISIT THE CLINIC AND LOG DATA ON THE HEALTH SERVICES THEY RECEIVE. WATSI DEVELOPED THE COVERAGE PROGRAM IN RWIBAALE, UGANDA, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY, CLINIC, GOVERNMENT, AND LOCAL PARTNERS. (Less)
Watsi has earned a 98% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - No Data Available - UnscoredConstituent Feedback - No Data Available - Unscored
Constituent Feedback and Listening Practice data are not available for this organization. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 98/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 98/100 pts
100% of beacon score
This organization's score of 98 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 10 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (5/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (5/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Watsi has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Watsi directly connects people through technology to fund life-changing surgery.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
We envision a world where people everywhere can access quality healthcare, serving as a foundation for full lives, thriving communities, and strengthened health systems.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Grow and deepen our impact for patients.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Build a healthy and sustainable organization.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Get closer to and do more for those we serve. Uncover more about the needs of our patients and partners, and better understand our shared impact on those needs.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Our Executive Director was part of The Coaching Fellowship which provides executive coaching and leadership development for female leaders in the social impact sector.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
At Watsi, we believe that one organization alone cannot provide healthcare for everyone. By partnering with individuals, foundations, companies, and other organizations, we can leverage our resources and expertise to achieve an even greater impact. Watsi also aims to raise awareness for the need to invest in access to critical healthcare around the world. We lead awareness campaigns on social media, with a focus on amplifying the voices of our patients and partners. We also serve as a thought leader to help drive our sector forward to have greater collective impact in the years ahead.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
In the face of COVID-19, we sustained life-changing healthcare and grew to reach more patients in need over the past year. 2,000+ more families now have a brighter, healthier future—that's an average of 6 Watsi patients' lives changed each day. We showed up for patients young and old, from birth all the way to 90 years. With Watsi's support, patients accessed care for over 100 conditions, with the most common conditions ranging from cataracts to heart defects. A safe and healthy delivery for moms and babies was our fastest growing need over the past year. Watsi enabled life-changing treatment for patients at 22 partner care centers around the world and launched new treatment sites across Colombia, Haiti, Uganda, Kenya, Burma, and Thailand. Watsi has been a lifeline for patients, frontline healthcare workers, and hospitals as the world faces COVID-19.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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