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Keywords

innovative philanthropy, access-centered innovation, women’s health equity, community-based development, low-infrastructure settings

Abstract

Nonprofits operating in remote or low-infrastructure environments often encounter structural barriers that undermine social impact, especially for women and girls. These barriers are frequently attributed to funding shortages or lack of innovation. However, evidence from practice suggests that many social problems in these contexts persist not because solutions do not exist, but because they do not reach the communities who need them. This thought paper examines the role of nonprofit organizations as bridging agents that connect existing solutions to underserved communities, using women’s health access in East Africa as a case example. The analysis highlights the limitations of episodic philanthropic models, which fund high-visibility projects but underinvest in operational systems necessary to sustain daily community support. It proposes innovative approaches grounded in cross-sector partnerships, adaptation to local conditions, and the use of existing community distribution networks to support resource delivery in low-infrastructure environments. Implications for nonprofits include rethinking the role of philanthropy, developing access-centered partnerships, and adopting operational models that prioritize sustainability, local agency, and everyday functionality.

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