History

What makes MAP unique?

For nearly 65 years, MAP has focused on one mission: To bring medicines to those in need.

Over the years, MAP has earned a reputation for accomplishing this mission with remarkably low overhead and remarkably high impact.

In 1954, the late Dr. J. Raymond Knighton answered a call in his tiny office at the Christian Medical Society in Chicago. Ray had a reputation for knowing “every medical missionary in the world,” so when a major pharmaceutical company wanted to donate $25,000 in surplus medicines, they knew just who to call.

Ray and his secretary spent three months distributing 11 tons of medicines where they were needed most.

Thus began the Medical Assistance Programs (MAP)--a faith-based nonprofit providing essential medicines for mission clinics and hospitals in developing countries around the world.

Since 1954 MAP has served billions of people with medicines and medical supplies through the help of partners, donors, mission hospitals, clinics, and medical mission teams.

Since this humble beginning, MAP International has grown to become one of the most trusted charities in the United States. Millions of people with a heart for ‘the least of these’ have given their time, talent and treasure to MAP to provide hope for those in despair.

History Highlights

1954 – A truckload of medicine is dropped off at the Christian Medical Society’s office in Chicago. Ray Knighton and his assistant orchestrate the delivery of 11 tons of medicine to mission doctors traveling from the United States to serve people in countries around the world. 

1963 – Typhoon Gloria swamps Taiwan. MAP responds by sending medicine and supplies to help hundreds of thousands left homeless by this powerful storm.

1965 – The Christian Medical Society board votes to spin-off its ‘Medical Assistance Programs’ and MAP is founded as a separate 501c3 organization focused on delivering medicines and health supplies to people in need.

1976 – MAP International partners with the Billy Graham Association to provide disaster relief for hundreds of thousands injured when a devastating earthquake strikes Guatemala.

1985 – To improve its operational efficiency and access to ocean ports, MAP relocates its Global Medicines Distribution Center from Wheaton, IL to Brunswick, GA.

1993 – MAP International launches its Medical Mission Pack program to serve short-term medical mission teams. Since its launch, more than 45,000 Medical Mission Packs have been sent with medical mission teams to help people globally.

2001 – With the fall of the Taliban, MAP airlifts medicine and health supplies to help people in Afghanistan.

2005 – More than 225,000 people perish when a tsunami strikes Indonesia. MAP provides more than $10 million in medicines and health supplies to help those injured in the devastation in Banda Ache, the Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka.

2010 – MAP provides more than $20 million in disaster aid following a devastating earthquake that leveled Port Au Prince, Haiti.  MAP worked with key partners such as Love A Child, Harvard University and others to provide medicines and health supplies to save and restore lives.

2014 – An outbreak of Ebola virus in Liberia captures global attention. MAP responds sending 33,000 personal protective health suits and more than $18 million in medicines and health supplies to prevent the spread of Ebola and treat its victims.

2016 – CNBC names MAP International as one of the top global charities changing the world.

2017 - Through the generosity of thousands of donors, MAP provides Disaster Health Kits, medicines and other relief supplies to people in Texas following Hurricane Harvey, Florida and Georgia following Hurricane Irma and Puerto Rico and Dominica following Hurricane Maria. 

2018 - GuideStar, the world's largest source for information about non-profit organizations, awards MAP International its Platinum Seal of Transparency.

We find MAP International to be professionally managed and a leader in their industry. MAP ranks in the top 5 percent of our clients in quality of financial reporting, management & board leadership.”
– Daniel M. Campbell, CapinCrouse LLP

You Can Help Save a Life

Give Partners Media Blog Careers Financials Contact

Add impact to your inbox. Get our emails.

MAP International. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy
MAP International is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
All donations to MAP International (EIN: 36-2586390) are tax-deductible.