Carolina Honduras Health Foundation

What Carolina Honduras Health Foundation does

Carolina Honduras Health Foundation (CHHF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, founded in 1987 by Dr. Henry Gibson and formally incorporated in 1995 (EIN 57-1023037), headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Its mission is the delivery of free medical, dental, and vision care to impoverished communities in the Department of Colón, Honduras, where over 48% of the population lives in poverty and average household income is below 92 cents per hour. CHHF operates a multi-modal care delivery network comprising three fixed clinic facilities — Limón (built 1997, with four exam rooms, three dental chairs, lab, pharmacy, small operating room, and 24 volunteer beds), Icoteas (serving indigenous populations 12.4 miles from Limón), and Whispering Hope in Chapagua (staffed since 2015, serving 16 villages near Trujillo) — plus mobile mission teams that set up temporary clinics in schools, churches, or outdoors across 23+16 hamlets covering roughly 633.4 square kilometers. Approximately 18-19 U.S. volunteer medical teams travel annually, supported by a small staff of about 12 (5 full-time) and a Bluetooth-enabled telemedicine program launched in 2020 to maintain continuity of care between mission trips. Supporting service lines include the Medical Referral Program (specialist surgeries and care), an expanding vision care vertical (Eye Doc in a Box system, water distillation/autoclave, WVU Vision School partnership), Community Development & Education, a Nutrition Assistance Program, the Hornillas Project (smokeless stoves), a Recycling Program, and Educational Scholarships including the Dr. Eduardo Dubon Memorial Scholarship for medical students.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropy rather than patient billing: individual one-time and recurring monthly donations (with tiered impact levels at $8/$15/$24), mission team participation fees (~$1,200 plus airfare per volunteer), and community fundraising walks (Path to Hope) held across multiple U.S. cities. Complementary revenue is supported by integration with QGiv, Kindful, and Givebutter donation platforms and Salsa Labs for volunteer management. Distribution and donor acquisition run through the chhf.org website, a content blog ("Inspirations"), email/newsletter outreach, organic social (Facebook, Instagram), church and community presentations, Path to Hope walks, and earned media. Notable clinical and supply partnerships include Missionary Health Service, Honduras Eye and Life Program (HELP), Operation Rainbow, HPP Foundation, WVU Vision School, Lions Club, AmeriCares, and the Alabama Honduras Medical Education Network (AHMEN). Impact metrics disclosed: nearly 10,000 free medical, dental, and vision visits annually; 2,573 patients served YTD as of April 2025 across 67 team members (24 first-time). The organization earned the 2025 Platinum and 2026 Candid Seal of Transparency awards, and underwent a 2026 brand refresh ("Two Nations. One Heartbeat.") tied to a $10,000 matching sprint.

Name

Carolina Honduras Health Foundation

Legal name

Carolina Honduras Health Foundation

Website

https://chhf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carolina Honduras Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free medical, dental, and vision care to impoverished communities in the Department of Colón, Honduras, operating three fixed clinics plus mobile mission teams and a Bluetooth telemedicine program serving nearly 10,000 patients annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Humanitarian Healthcare Services

NAICS

Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Offices of Physicians (6211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Health, Population & WASH Aid Programs (BPADABAC), Community-Based Preventive & Health Promotion Clinics (HLAFAGAO)

Keywords

• Humanitarian healthcare services
• Medical mission trips
• Rural clinic operations
• Nonprofit healthcare delivery
• Volunteer medical teams

Headquarters

HQ city

Barnwell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting the mission of providing healthcare to impoverished communities in Honduras.
2. Fundraising Events: Community walk events (Path to Hope) held in various US locations to raise funds and awareness for medical mission work.
3. Mission Team Fees: Team members pay fees covering transportation, lodging, meals, medicines, staff salaries, and travel insurance for mission trips. Example: $1,200 plus airfare.
4. Monthly Giving Program: Recurring monthly donations providing sustained funding for specific needs like medication, transportation, and telemedicine support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Carolina Honduras Health Foundation delivers free medical, dental, and vision care to impoverished communities in the Department of Colón, Honduras through three fixed clinic facilities and 18–19 annual volunteer medical mission teams. Core offerings include direct primary care, dental extractions and hygiene, ophthalmic care with eyeglass distribution, pharmacy services, a medical referral program for specialized treatment, and a telemedicine program that connects U.S. providers with Honduran patients between mission trips.

Product overview

Carolina Honduras Health Foundation (CHHF) operates a network of healthcare delivery services focused on providing free medical, dental, and vision care to impoverished communities in the Department of Colón, Honduras. The core offerings include Medical Mission Teams (short-term volunteer teams providing primary care, dental, and vision services), Telemedicine Services (remote care using Bluetooth technology connecting U.S. providers with Honduran patients), and a Medical Referral Program (arranging specialized treatment and covering costs for patients needing advanced care). CHHF manages four clinic facilities: the Limón Clinic (primary facility built in 1997 with exam rooms, dental chairs, lab, pharmacy, and operating room), Whispering Hope Clinic (satellite in Chapagua serving 16 villages), Icoteas Clinic (serving indigenous populations), and Remote Village Clinics (temporary setups in schools and churches). Supporting programs include Community Development & Education, the Hornillas Project (smokeless stoves), Recycling Program, Educational Scholarships, and Nutrition Assistance. Fundraising events like the Path to Hope Walk support operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Mission Teams Short-term volunteer medical teams that travel from the U.S. to Honduras to provide free primary medical, dental, and vision care to underserved communities, operating from the Limón Clinic and traveling to remote villages.
• Telemedicine Services Remote healthcare delivery using Bluetooth-enabled equipment that connects U.S. medical providers with Honduran patients, enabling examinations, diagnoses, and medication dispensing between mission trips.
• Medical Referral Program Program that arranges specialized medical treatment, surgeries, and ongoing care for patients requiring services beyond clinic capabilities, covering transportation, lodging, and treatment costs.
• Limón Clinic Primary clinic facility in Limón, Department of Colón, built in 1997, featuring four exam rooms, three dental chairs, laboratory, pharmacy, small operating room, and accommodations for volunteer teams.
• Whispering Hope Clinic Satellite clinic in Chapagua near Trujillo, staffed by CHHF since 2015, serving a population in 16 nearby villages with primary medical care and dental services.
• Icoteas Clinic Small clinic located 12.4 miles from Limón serving indigenous populations in nearby villages along the Caribbean coast and inland mountains.
• Remote Village Clinics Temporary clinic operations set up in schools, churches, or outdoor locations under shade trees to serve patients in distant villages who cannot travel to fixed clinic facilities.
• Community Development & Education Program Health education initiatives working with community leaders, schools, and government clinics to improve public health through hygiene training, dietary education, pregnancy prevention classes, and community health programs.
• Hornillas Project (Smokeless Stoves) Community initiative to build household stoves with chimneys in rural homes, reducing respiratory problems caused by cooking over open fires and improving air quality.
• Recycling Program Environmental health initiative in Limón where school children collect plastic bottles and metal cans for recycling using crushing machines, with funds supporting educational materials.
• Educational Scholarship Program Scholarships supporting Honduran students pursuing high school, vocational, and university education, including the Dr. Eduardo Dubon Memorial Scholarship for medical school students.
• Nutrition Assistance Program Food aid program providing nutritious food and vitamins to families and children experiencing malnutrition and food insecurity in rural Honduras.
• Eye Care and Vision Services Ophthalmic care including eye exams, ocular disease evaluation, prescription eyeglasses distribution using the Eye Doc in a Box system, and surgical referrals for cataracts and pterygium through the Honduras Eye and Life Program.
• Dental Care Services Dental services including extractions, fillings, and dental hygiene provided at Limón Clinic and Whispering Hope Clinic when volunteer dentists are available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 10,000 free medical, dental, and vision care visits annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and minor.

• Missionary Health Service (Whispering Hope Clinic)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Missionary Health Service founded the Whispering Hope Clinic in Chapagua. CHHF began staffing the clinic in 2015 and accepted it as part of its network of clinics, expanding services to 16 nearby villages.
• Honduras Eye and Life Program (HELP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual surgical clinic providing cataract and pterygium surgery at no charge for patients. CHHF sends referrals from its medical referral program to receive surgery through this partnership.
• WVU Vision SchoolimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Virginia University School of Medicine ophthalmologists provide crucial eye care to patients through CHHF clinics, helping build a sustainable vision care program.
• Operation RainbowimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical mission partner providing consultations and surgical care for patients referred through CHHF medical referral program.
• HPP FoundationimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner mission providing vein clinic services with 31 patients traveling for treatment.
• Lions ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides refurbished prescription glasses sized and packaged for reuse, which are dispensed by trained volunteers using the Eye Doc in a Box system.
• AmeriCaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organization providing donated reading glasses distributed through CHHF clinics.
• Alabama Honduras Medical Education Network (AHMEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner organization with team leaders (Steve Rowe and Richard Bowie) who lead annual medical mission teams to CHHF clinics.
• Dr. Eduardo Dubon Memorial Scholarship FundimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship fund created in memory of Dr. Eduardo Dubon to support Honduran medical school students. Three recipients (Rafael Cabellero, Ramon Urrutia, Manuel Euceda) receive scholarships covering university expenses and stipends.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Project HOPE: Global health nonprofit delivering medical training, humanitarian aid, and direct care across multiple countries. Comparable mission and donor model to CHHF, but with a much larger permanent footprint and broader geographic mandate.
• Partners In Health: Large nonprofit providing direct healthcare to the poor in multiple low-income countries with permanent facility-based operations. Comparable to CHHF in serving destitute populations with free care, but operates at vastly greater scale and with permanent clinical staff.
• International Medical Corps: Global humanitarian organization providing healthcare, training, and relief across conflict and disaster zones. Comparable in serving low-income populations via mobile/fixed clinic delivery and donor-funded operations, though typically operating in acute-crisis contexts.

Direct peers

• Medical Teams International: Faith-rooted nonprofit running volunteer medical teams providing dental, vision, and primary care to underserved communities internationally. Directly comparable to CHHF in operating model (short-term volunteer mission teams, free care, recurring donor base) and patient population.
• Operation Rainbow: Volunteer surgical mission nonprofit providing free orthopedic surgery to children in developing countries. Direct peer in faith-rooted, volunteer-team-based surgical delivery model and an active partner of CHHF through shared referral flows.
• Mercy Ships: Operates hospital ships delivering free surgical and medical care in low-income countries via volunteer professionals. Comparable to CHHF in faith-based mission, free care delivery model, volunteer-driven capacity, and reliance on recurring individual donors.
• Honduras Eye and Life Program (HELP): Surgical-focused nonprofit providing free cataract and pterygium surgery in Honduras. Direct peer and active CHHF partner — operates in the same country with overlapping beneficiary base, complementary surgical specialty, and shared referral relationships.
• AHMEN (Alabama Honduras Medical Education Network): Alabama-based nonprofit running recurring medical mission teams to Honduras. Direct peer and active CHHF partner — operates annual medical mission trips with shared team leaders (Steve Rowe, Richard Bowie) and overlapping Honduran beneficiary geography.
• Missionary Health Service: Faith-based mission organization that founded the Whispering Hope Clinic in Chapagua and transferred operations to CHHF in 2015. Direct peer and active partner — same faith-based mission orientation, same Honduran geography, and overlapping clinical service lines.

Emerging players

• Global Health Corps: Nonprofit placing emerging professionals in year-long health fellowships across low-income countries. Comparable in healthcare workforce mobilization for underserved populations, though focused on long-term fellowships rather than short-term mission trips.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHHF_Honduras
• Facebookfacebook.com/carolinahondurashealthfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chhf

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Carolina Honduras Health Foundation