2026-2028 Strategic Plan
GVF has seen significant growth and progress since its establishment as a committee in 2011 and its official incorporation in 2016. Building on this momentum, GVF’s Board of Directors met in early 2026 to develop its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan.
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life for individuals with vitiligo through education, research, clinical care, and community support.
Our Vision
A world where the burden of vitiligo is eliminated through compassion, care, and cure.
Our Values
1. Compassionate Advocacy: We lead with empathy, ensuring that the lived experience of those with vitiligo is at the heart of every decision. We fight for the recognition of vitiligo as a serious medical condition to ensure patients receive the respect and coverage they deserve.
2. Scientific Rigor: We are grounded in evidence. By prioritizing high-quality research and clinical excellence, we serve as a trusted source of truth for the medical community and a catalyst for a definitive cure.
3. Global Collaboration: We believe we are stronger together. We actively bridge the gap between patients, healthcare providers, and researchers worldwide, fostering a unified community that shares knowledge and resources across borders.
4. Radical Transparency: Trust is our foundation. We maintain the highest standards of governance and open communication, ensuring our partners, donors, and the patient community have full confidence in our operations and impact.
5. Empowerment through Knowledge: We believe education is the key to overcoming the burden of vitiligo. We empower individuals to take control of their health journey and equip the medical community with the tools to provide world-class care.
6. Inclusive Excellence: We are committed to serving all people affected by vitiligo, regardless of race, age, or geography. We champion diversity in our research, our leadership, and our outreach to ensure no one is left behind in the pursuit of a cure.
Our Objectives
Strategic Objective I – Supporting Individuals with Vitiligo
Establish GVF as the leading global authority and advocacy voice in vitiligo through a unified partnership between physicians and people with vitiligo ensuring guidance, support, and resources shape collaborative decisions.
Goal 1.1: Increase World Vitiligo Day-USA attendance by 10% annually.
Goal 1.2: Launch ongoing training programs for vitiligo support groups and patient advocates.
Goal 1.3: Review annual program spending to ensure needed resources are effectively allocated to initiatives led by individuals with vitiligo.
Goal 1.4: Conduct a feasibility study on establishing a peer coaching program and/or an exploration of options for supporting individuals in need of emotional support.
Strategic Objective II – Knowledge & Research Integration
GVF will lead in the dissemination and advancement of vitiligo knowledge by integrating research, education, mentorship, and the voice of individuals with vitiligo.
Goal 2.1: Initiate development of clinical and outcome guidelines with partner organizations.
Goal 2.2: Deliver a minimum of four stakeholder-specific educational programs annually.
Goal 2.3: Award a minimum of three seed research grants annually.
Goal 2.4: Complete a credentialing feasibility study.
Goal 2.5: Launch a pilot mentoring network for medical students, residents, and early-career physicians.
Strategic Objective III – Advocacy
Transform payor and government institution perception of vitiligo from a “cosmetic concern” to a nationally recognized medical disease while dismantling the social and system obstacles that hinder the quality of life for the global vitiligo community.
Goal 3.1: Review and update existing “Self-Advocacy Toolkit” on our website to empower support groups and individuals to advocate for themselves when facing insurance denials for vitiligo treatments.
Goal 3.2: Create, launch, and deliver an ongoing structured advocacy training program.
Goal 3.3: Execute a minimum of five engagement opportunities that will aid in securing federal and state-level recognition as well as equitable insurance reimbursement for vitiligo treatments.
Goal 3.4: Create an archival repository and update patient testimonials, appeal letters, videos, etc. to advocate for policy changes among payors and government institutions.
Strategic Objective IV – Brand/Communications Development
GVF will strengthen its global brand presence and communication strategies to reflect its role as the leading authority in vitiligo.
Goal 4.1: Build a comprehensive mission-aligned communications and brand awareness strategy to include but not be limited to:
- Increasing social media engagement by 25% year over year.
- Producing, executing and distributing a digital newsletter
- Researching possible brand management contractor
- Increased traditional media insertions
- Increased digital media engagements
- Expand branded merchandise
- Complete a comprehensive website redesign
Strategic Objective V – Global Partnerships Initiative
GVF will move beyond informal collaboration to build a measurable, high-impact global network with vitiligo-focused organizations worldwide.
Goal 5.1: Formalize and launch an integrated framework that establishes a federation inclusive of stakeholders in the global vitiligo ecosystem based on trust and a spirit of collaboration to allow thoughtful communication.
Goal 5.2: Ensure 70% of collaborator organizations participate in at least one joint initiative annually.
Goal 5.3: Launch at least five co-branded global or regional initiatives with collaborators.
Goal 5.4: Initiate a minimum of three formal discussions with national/international vitiligo-focused organizations.
Goal 5.6: Maintain an active pipeline of prospective collaborator organizations globally.
Strategic Objective VI – Governance and Operations
GVF will build upon a stable, resilient leadership and operational foundation capable of sustaining long-term mission execution based on best practices.
Goal 6.1: Establish and operationalize a board and committee succession plan that ensures full role clarity, leadership continuity, and a strong, ongoing talent pipeline, including filling board vacancies by aligning new appointments with identified gaps in expertise, geography, and representation of individuals with vitiligo.
Goal 6.2: Develop a strategic fundraising growth plan including a 3 year revenue projection aimed at reaching $2M per annum targeting existing industry partners, new industry partners, and new sources of revenue.
Goal 6.3: Achieve 100% participation in board giving.
Goal 6.4: The board will perform an annual review of the performance of the Executive Director, support staff and financial manager based on a comprehensive review from the board.
Goal 6.5: Perform an annual review of bylaws and governance policies.
Goal 6.6: Establish a prioritization process and review of ongoing GVF program.
Goal 6.7: Establish a review process for new initiatives and projects.