FAQs

1. Does the Foundation sponsor medical missions and give drug donations?

No, the Foundation does not engage in medical missions and drug donations because the Foundation believes that a systemic approach is needed to achieve meaningful improvements in the country’s health indicators.  An exemption to this occurred in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in 2013. The Foundation, with its staff of doctors and health professionals, along with their volunteer friends, organized two medical missions in two of its partner municipalities in the province of Capiz. And under its Community Disaster Response Program, medicines were also given to select Rural Health Units in the Samar and Eastern Samar provinces.

2. How is ZFF related to the Zuellig Group?

The Founda􀷹on is separate and distinct from the Zuellig Group of companies, that is, it is not the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of any Zuellig company. Zuellig companies and affiliates continue to pursue their own CSR programs. The Foundation is the Zuellig family’s philanthropic vehicle to contribute to the nationbuilding of the Philippines, the country where its enterprises started and flourished, and where Dr. Stephen Zuellig and his brother Gilbert were born. ZFF concentrates on the philanthropic mission articulated by the family: to promote effective and sustainable healthcare systems in the Philippines, with an emphasis on primary healthcare services in rural communities.

3. Does ZFF fund individual requests?

No. ZFF is not a grant‐making foundation. However, under its Community Health Partnership Program, infrastructure and equipment grants were given to its partner municipalities for the construction of health facilities.

4. Why is ZFF focused on health matters?

The Zuellig Group and the Zuellig family have long‐standing interests in the Philippine pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.  When the Zuellig Group established its first foundation, the Pharmaceu􀷹cal Health and Family Foundation, in Canlubang in the southern Luzon province of Laguna that foundation aimed to address the health requirements of local communities in its neighborhood. The recasting of the Foundation’s priorities and approaches affirmed the need to address health inequities in the Philippines, and to improve health conditions among our people, especially the poor.

5. How is ZFF funded?

The Foundation is funded by the Zuellig family. There are also co‐funded programs in partnership with different organizations such as multilateral funding agencies, corporations, partnership with different organizations such as multilateral funding agencies, corporations, government agencies, and other NGOs. However, in its partnership with the Department of Health, no fund coming from the government agency for the program implementation goes through ZFF.

6. How does one get into ZFF’s training programs for local health leaders?

ZFF assesses the health challenges of a local government unit (LGU)—province, city, or municipality depending on the program—and the commitment of its health leaders who will undergo the training program. The LGU may come from ZFF’s roster of alumni LGUs or, in the case of a partnership program, are priority or nominated areas of ZFF’s partner. The process to finalize the inclusion of the LGU then follows. This process may include formally sending ZFF an intent to join, undergoing evaluation, and signing an agreement. For ZFF’s public course offerings, interested parties may get in touch with ZFF’s Institute for Health Leadership – https://zffhealthleadership.institute/

7. How are partnerships with ZFF formed?

ZFF sees partners as collaborators in fulfilling the Foundation’s vision of achieving better health outcomes for the poor. As such, it actively seeks partners whose programs, vision, and mission are compatible with ZFF’s. Possible areas of collaboration include leadership and governance training programs, infrastructure and equipment support, health service delivery programs (e.g. family planning, nutrition, IT), and research and advocacy. A partner can either be a program partner or a resource partner. Support from program partners is often extended in the form of non‐financial resources such as technical assistance and consulting, expertise, volunteer time, manpower support, technologies, and information. Resource Partners, on the other hand, are institutions whose programs, services, and financial resources can be tapped and used directly by ZFF for its program implementation, or directed by ZFF to its partner‐LGUs. Partnerships are manifested concretely in the form of joint activities and/or shared programs and projects that involve financial and/or non‐financial resources. In partnerships involving finances, the Foundation may present two options to prospective partners: co-financing and brokering. All partnerships with individual institutions or collective institutions such as coalitions and alliances have to be formalized through any of the following:

1. Memorandum of Understanding
2. Memorandum of Agreement
3. Partnership Agreement
4. Program or Project or Grant Agreement

For partnership opportunities, send inquiries to: scgonzales@zuelligfoundation.org

8. Are there internship or volunteer work opportunities in ZFF?

While there are currently no volunteer work opportunities in the Foundation, ZFF accepts student interns from its partner academic institutions as part of the Foundation’s advocacy for better health policies and programs. Student interns will not be compensated for their internship and will not be considered employees of the Foundation. The student interns will also be responsible for their expenses and arrangements relating to their visas, accommodations, vaccinations, transportation, and health and accident insurance. Interested students must conform to and pass the required documentation and approval of their sending institution, which should be a current academic partner of the Foundation. Based on their university’s endorsement, prospective interns should submit a letter of intent and their curriculum vitae. Their acceptance will be subject to the approval of the Foundation. For foreign interns, visas, insurance, and other requirements will be the responsibility of the student and their sending institutions. The student intern will submit copies of these to the Foundation for reference, whenever necessary. Student interns have to be aware of the prevalent infectious diseases and required vaccinations in the Philippines. For internship opportunities, send inquiries to: hr@zuelligfoundation.org

9. I would like to work at ZFF, how do I apply?

Visit the Careers page of this site.