WAEH Launches Community of Practice – Fundraising | 22 January 2026

On Thursday January 22, the new WAEH Community of Practice about Fundraising started. This CoP is led by Juliette Wallenbrach, Fundraising professional at Fondation Asile des aveugles, Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, and was moderated by Maaike van Zuilen, Global Lead of the WAEH. The session brought together eye hospital leaders and fundraising professionals from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, India, Rwanda, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and beyond.

Drawing on her international experience, Juliette shared insights from her work at the Fondation Asile des Aveugles and the Jules Gonin Eye Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland, highlighting how eye hospitals can develop fundraising strategies aligned with their institutional priorities. Juliette outlined how motivations differ across donor types, and emphasized that there is no single model for successful fundraising, as approaches depend on local context, resources, and cultural attitudes toward philanthropy.

Discussions focused on why eye health presents a compelling case for philanthropic support, given its links to health, disability inclusion, ageing populations, and economic independence. Participants also addressed shared challenges, including competition for donor attention, ethical storytelling, and navigating patient-related fundraising in different cultural settings.

An interactive exchange allowed participants to share experiences from diverse regions, reinforcing the value of peer learning and adaptation to local contexts.

Read the full report and watch the full recording on the Knowledge Hub website (for members only).

The Community of Practice – Fundraising will reconvene on 2 July 2026, as part of WAEH’s ongoing programme of Communities of Practice on key topics in eye hospital management.

Read more about the Communities of Practice here.