Global Links is a non-profit working in Pittsburgh dedicated to serving communities lacking medical supplies. One benefit of their model is that Pittsburgh is a center for healthcare with their UPMC hospitals and research facilities. With their vast network, there is a large surplus of medical supplies that Global Links can easily reach. One limitation their model faces is that they are dependent on the public’s service to their cause. For example, their volunteers help them sort, package, and ship the medical supplies and they need the donations from hospitals.
Their deep commitment to their cause creates opportunities for them to work with government agencies around the world, such as the WHO, to help them achieve their goals. However, they face challenges like selling their mission to other people and organizations. If other groups do not have the same commitment to their cause as Global Links does, then those groups will not volunteer or donate.
I have a large interest in working as an unpaid intern with non-profit organizations like Global Links because I think it would give me the opportunity to not only help communities, but to also learn how to market a brand of a charity instead of a for-profit business.