What Global Implementation Solutions does

Global Implementation Solutions (GIS) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in May 2009, dedicated to strengthening healthcare systems in resource-limited countries, primarily across Africa. The organization operates as a grant-funded implementing partner for US federal agencies, with core programs including the CDC Kenya Program (2020-2025) covering emergency operations, laboratory strengthening, surveillance, and One Health initiatives; the Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) with over 30 projects funded since 2011; and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (NDF) program spanning 6 African countries. GIS maintains three offices (Chicago headquarters, Nairobi, and Kisumu) and works with locally-based technical staff and consultants to deliver capabilities in laboratory capacity strengthening, PHEOC establishment, biosecurity and biosafety legislation, digital health systems, and One Health programs.

GIS's technology footprint is modest and operationally focused. Digital platforms include the Emergency Alert and Response System (EARS), which aggregates data from DHIS2 and manages over 40 events for emergency response, and the Jitenge System, a COVID-19 data management module supporting quarantine tracking, case monitoring, and geo-fencing. The organization has supported 8 public health laboratories in achieving ISO 15189 accreditation, established 20 Public Health Emergency Operations Centers across Kenya, and trained over 700 healthcare workers in emergency response.

The revenue model is entirely grant-based, with funding sourced from US government agencies including the CDC and the US Department of State (BEP and NDF). CEO Kaitlin Sandhaus has secured over $5 million in funding over the last four years to implement programs across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Egypt. The organization serves US federal agencies as primary funders and African government ministries, particularly Kenya's Ministry of Health, as implementation partners. No proprietary technology products or commercial pricing exist; all work is delivered through direct implementation with local staff and consultants.

Name

Global Implementation Solutions

Legal name

Global Implementation Solutions

Website

https://gisworldwide.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Global Implementation Solutions is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that implements public health, biosecurity, and One Health programs across Africa, funded primarily by US government grants from the CDC and State Department.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Donor Funding: GIS generates revenue primarily through grants and sub-awards from US federal government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Department of State's Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP), and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (NDF). The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporated in May 2009.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

GIS is a non-profit implementing partner that delivers project management and technical assistance to strengthen healthcare systems in resource-limited countries, with primary operations in Kenya and additional reach across at least 10 African countries. Its core offerings include multi-year donor-funded public health programs (CDC Kenya, BEP, NDF), laboratory quality systems implementation supporting ISO 15189 accreditation, and establishment of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs), augmented by digital surveillance tools (EARS, Jitenge) and One Health/biosecurity advisory services.

Product overview

Global Implementation Solutions offers a portfolio of public health strengthening programs and digital platforms. The core programs include the CDC Kenya Program (emergency operations, laboratory systems, surveillance), the Biosecurity Engagement Program (One Health, biosecurity legislation), and the NDF Program (biorisk management). Supporting these are digital platforms including the Emergency Alert and Response System (EARS) and Jitenge System for disease surveillance and COVID-19 data management. The organization also provides laboratory quality systems implementation supporting ISO 15189 accreditation and PHEOC establishment services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CDC Kenya Public Health Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 PHEOCs established and operationalized across Kenya
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Georgetown University's Elizabeth R Griffin Program (GU-ERGP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS has collaborated closely with Georgetown University's Elizabeth R Griffin Program on public health and biosecurity initiatives. This partnership contributes to GIS's broader network of academic and institutional partners supporting healthcare systems strengthening in Africa.
• Johns Hopkins University Center for Global HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS collaborates with Johns Hopkins University Center for Global Health on various public health initiatives. This partnership leverages academic expertise to enhance program implementation and capacity building efforts.
• Kenya Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS works with host government ministries responsible for human and animal health in Kenya, implementing programs to strengthen healthcare systems, laboratory capacity, and emergency preparedness.
• Nigeria Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS partners with Nigerian government ministries to implement One Health strategic planning, biosecurity programs, and public health emergency management initiatives.
• Somalia Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS collaborates with Somali government ministries on One Health Technical Working Group development, zoonotic disease prioritization, and integrated disease guidelines.
• DR Congo Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS works with DR Congo government ministries on biosecurity legislation development and multi-country biorisk management programs.
• Cameroon Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS partners with Cameroon government ministries for biosecurity legislation development and facility-level biorisk management capacity strengthening.
• Gabon Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS collaborates with Gabon government ministries on biosecurity legislation development and biosafety practices improvement programs.
• Tunisia Government MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS supports Tunisia government ministries in developing One Health Strategic Plans and communication plans for transboundary priority pathogens.
• Gryphon ScientificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIS worked in consortium with Gryphon Scientific and Human Link to support workshops on transboundary outbreak detection and response between Kenya and Somalia.
• Human LinkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with GIS and Gryphon Scientific in consortium for transboundary outbreak detection and response workshops between Kenya and Somalia.
• MHealth KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHealth Kenya received a sub-award under the CDC program for systems integration, transition and capacity building activities from December 2020 to March 2021.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): Global health nonprofit working with governments in Africa and other LMICs to strengthen health systems, laboratory capacity, and disease response — comparable donor base and country portfolio, though typically operating at much larger scale.
• PATH: Global health innovation nonprofit that designs and implements public health solutions funded by CDC, USAID, and Gates Foundation across Africa — directly comparable as a US-based nonprofit implementing complex multi-country health programs.
• IntraHealth International: Nonprofit focused on health workforce strengthening and health systems in Africa, implementing PEPFAR and USAID-funded programs — closely comparable in mission, funding sources, and African country footprint.
• John Snow, Inc. (JSI): Public health consulting and implementation firm working extensively with CDC, USAID, and PEPFAR on health systems, supply chain, and laboratory programs in Africa and globally — comparable scale-up from GIS but with similar funding structure and programmatic orientation.
• FHI 360: Large global health and development nonprofit that implements PEPFAR, CDC, and USAID-funded public health programs in Africa, including laboratory strengthening, surveillance, and health-systems work — directly comparable to GIS in funding sources and programmatic footprint.
• Elizabeth R Griffin Program (Georgetown University): Academic-affiliated biorisk management and biosecurity capacity building program that partners with GIS on African programs — directly comparable niche focus on One Health and laboratory biosafety/biosecurity strengthening.
• Management Sciences for Health (MSH): Global health nonprofit implementing USG-funded health systems strengthening, supply chain, and pharmaceutical management programs in Africa and Asia — closely comparable in donor base, country mix, and health-systems focus.

Broad incumbents

• Palladium: International development firm implementing USAID, FCDO, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation health and governance programs globally — comparable donor base and Africa footprint, but broader portfolio spanning multiple sectors.
• Abt Associates: Larger consulting and research firm implementing large USG-funded global health contracts including PEPFAR and CDC work — overlapping donor base and programmatic themes, but operates much more broadly across multiple sectors.
• ICF International: Large advisory and digital services firm with public health practice implementing CDC, USAID, and HHS-funded programs — comparable USG contracting model, but with much broader commercial and government portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gisworldwide
• Facebookfacebook.com/globalimplementationsolutions

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Implementation Solutions