The Equity Initiative

What The Equity Initiative does

The Equity Initiative (EI) is a fellowship program operated by the China Medical Board (CMB) Foundation and headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. Founded in 2016, EI cultivates mid-career leaders across 12 countries in Southeast Asia and China (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, plus China) who work to advance health equity through cross-sector collaboration. The program operates a two-phase model: an Induction Year of structured learning including Global Learning Immersions (locations include Hong Kong, South Africa, India, Cuba, and Harvard), Asia Trek site visits, and blended online modules, followed by a lifelong Community Building phase in which Fellows implement locally grounded projects supported by Community Building Fund (CBF) grants.

EI's product surface consists of the Fellowship Program as its core offering, supplemented by the Equity Community network linking Fellows across cohorts, the Community Building Fund grant mechanism, the EI Resource Hub digital platform, and Fellow-produced open-source resources such as the Health Equity in Action Playbook and Toolbook. Technology is not a central feature; the most notable Fellow-built digital asset is REACHCBR.org, a low-bandwidth teletherapy hub for community-based rehabilitation in the Philippines. The revenue model is philanthropic: EI is funded by CMB Foundation grants and is embedded in the Atlantic Fellows global network of seven programs, charging no fees to Fellows. Quantifiable downstream outcomes from Fellow-led projects include a 33.3% reduction in child stunting in Nanga Dedai, Indonesia; 120,000+ first-aid recipients via Survival Skills Vietnam; over 200,000 individuals reached through Sun Community Health's Myanmar earthquake response; and 36,000+ members in a patient safety professional network.

Name

The Equity Initiative

Legal name

The Equity Initiative

Website

https://equityinitiative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Equity Initiative is a Bangkok-based fellowship program of the CMB Foundation, launched in 2016 to cultivate and connect health equity leaders across 12 Southeast Asian countries and China through annual cohorts, lifelong community building, and small project grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Equity Fellowship Program

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Equity, Community Health & Social Determinants Policy (HLAJAMAG), Health Equity & Social Determinants Program Funding (HLAJALAK), Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ)

Keywords

• Health equity fellowship
• Leadership development
• Public health education
• Nonprofit organization
• Professional fellowship

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangkok

HQ country

Thailand

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fellowship Program Funding: The Equity Initiative is a program of the China Medical Board (CMB) Foundation. The fellowship program is funded through CMB Foundation grants and support. The organization provides Community Building Fund grants to fellows for implementing health equity projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Equity Initiative runs a multi-year health equity leadership fellowship that recruits mid-career professionals from across Southeast Asia and China. Selected fellows complete an experiential Induction Year and then join a lifelong Equity Community, supported by a Community Building Fund that finances collaborative health-equity projects. The program is one of seven global Atlantic Fellows programs and is operated by the CMB Foundation.

Product overview

The Equity Initiative is a fellowship program of the CMB Foundation that cultivates health equity leaders across Southeast Asia and China. The core offering is the Fellowship Program featuring an Induction Year with experiential and blended online learning, followed by lifelong Community Building participation. Key products include: the Fellowship Program structured around Health Equity and Leadership themes; the Equity Community network connecting Fellows across cohorts; the Community Building Fund grants supporting Fellow-led initiatives; the EI Resource Hub for learning materials; and REACHCBR.org, a teletherapy platform developed by a partner organization (REACH Foundation) for community-based rehabilitation. The program produces resources like the Health Equity in Action Playbook and Toolbook to facilitate cross-sector collaborations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Equity Initiative Fellowship Program A multi-year health equity leadership fellowship for mid-career professionals from Southeast Asia and China, consisting of an experiential Induction Year followed by lifelong membership in the Equity Community with project funding through the Community Building Fund.
• Community Building Fund A grant fund that provides project financing to Equity Initiative fellows and alumni for collaborative health-equity initiatives across Southeast Asia and China.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,700 members (81% women) reached through community savings programs for coastal fishers in Siargao, Philippines
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• China Medical Board (CMB) FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016CMB Foundation is the parent organization and founding sponsor of The Equity Initiative. The foundation provides funding, strategic direction, and institutional support for the fellowship program. The Equity Initiative is described as 'a program of the CMB Foundation' and operates as part of CMB's portfolio of health equity initiatives in Asia.
• Atlantic Fellows / Atlantic InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Equity Initiative is one of seven global Atlantic Fellows programs. Fellows gain access to the broader Atlantic Fellows community and network. The Atlantic Institute provides governance oversight and connects programs across the global network.
• LUKKIDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThai design consultancy leading health-private sector collaboration projects. LUKKID uses human-centered design to drive systems change in health equity partnerships between healthcare providers and private companies.
• Dr. Dish (Thailand)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthy food delivery platform partnering with Siriraj Hospital to co-create online almsgiving service for Thai monks, demonstrating private sector engagement for health equity.
• Siriraj HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThailand's oldest hospital partnering with private sector and social enterprises to address health equity challenges through innovative service delivery models.
• Young Happy (Thailand)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSocial enterprise implementing community-based care programs for elderly populations, partnered on cross-border rehabilitation initiatives.
• Ultron AsiaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in school-based health education program development for Pattani province in Thailand's Deep South.
• Qualy (Thailand)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEco-design firm that developed award-winning, low-cost CPR training kit with healthcare partners.
• Independent Living Learning Centre Inc. (ILLC)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for TeleTheraFREE program providing community-based rehabilitation services in the Philippines.
• REACH Foundation Inc.majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRehabilitation and Empowerment of Adults and Children with Handicap organization leading the TeleTheraFREE teletherapy initiative, developing digital platform reachcbr.org.
• Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG Philippines)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department that drafted memorandum to endorse tele-CBR guidelines and explore partnership for nationwide rollout of community-based rehabilitation.
• National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA Philippines)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body partnered on MOU to endorse and scale community-based rehabilitation programs nationwide.
• RARE Philippines (Fish Forever Program)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementing partner for coastal fishers project in Siargao, running the Fish Forever program focused on sustainable fisheries and community development.
• JSML (Plantation Workers Support Committee)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGrassroots volunteer-led network of plantation worker activists in Malaysia leading housing rights campaign and advocacy.
• TPOLS (Transnational Palm Oil Labour Solidarity)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndonesian network organizing around palm oil labor rights, leading workshops, social audits, and leadership training on occupational health.
• NSI (North South Initiative)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization providing support for cross-border plantation worker advocacy and labor rights work.
• Sun Community Health (SCH)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization that mobilized 68 clinics reaching 200,000+ individuals for Myanmar earthquake healthcare response. Led by EI Fellows Dr. Han Win Htat and Dr. Moh Moh Lwin.
• Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual international health conference where CMB Foundation and EI co-hosted sessions on health systems, data equity, and leadership.
• WeCare.idminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization supporting nutrition programs in Nanga Dedai village, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
• Chapel Sound Art FoundationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNon-profit organization offering platforms for local emerging artists to experiment in multidisciplinary electronic art and music in Vancouver, BC.
• Local Development Institute (LDI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThai-based institute facilitating community field visits and discussions on environmental change intersecting with culture, livelihoods, and health for Climate Justice workshop.
• UNESCAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific participating in Climate Justice roundtable discussions.
• GIZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit participating in Climate Justice workshop strategy sessions.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Global Health Corps: Global fellowship placing early-career leaders with health organizations in Africa and the US to build health-equity leadership capacity. Comparable as a cohort-based health-leadership fellowship targeting young professionals across multiple countries.
• Echoing Green: Fellowship and leadership network for emerging social-impact leaders, including in global health. Comparable as a selective fellowship providing funding, training, and a lifelong peer community to systems-change leaders.
• Acumen Academy: Leadership academy of the Acumen Fund offering fellowships and online courses for social entrepreneurs tackling poverty, including health. Comparable in its mission to develop moral leadership for social change, particularly in emerging markets.
• Ashoka: Global network identifying and supporting leading social entrepreneurs, including many in health equity across Asia. Comparable in its fellowship-style selection of social-change leaders and lifelong community model.
• Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity: LSE-based Atlantic Fellows program focused on inequality, with a similar cohort-based fellowship and lifelong community structure. Directly comparable as a sister program in the same global Atlantic network.
• Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity: US-based Atlantic Fellows program focused on health-equity leadership development with a cohort fellowship model. Directly comparable as a sister program in the same Atlantic network with similar structure and mission.
• Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health: Global Atlantic Fellows program at the Global Brain Health Institute training leaders in brain-health equity. Directly comparable as another of the seven Atlantic Fellows programs sharing the same convening, cohort, and lifelong-community design.

Broad incumbents

• Asia Foundation: Large established foundation working across Asia on governance, economic development, and inclusive growth including health. Comparable as a broader Asia-focused funder and leadership-development actor that overlaps with the Equity Initiative's geographic mandate and convening role.

Peers

• World Economic Forum (Young Global Leaders / Global Shapers):

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-equity-initiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Equity Initiative