Supporter Spotlight: Phil Ropy
Digital philanthropy startup Phil Ropy is partnering with an American photography legend to raise awareness for Project HOPE’s COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 has pushed the world’s health workers to the brink: more than 1 million frontline health workers have been infected by the virus, with millions more suffering devastating mental health effects of the pandemic.
Now, to help raise support for Project HOPE’s global COVID-19 response, the digital philanthropy startup Phil Ropy has partnered with one of the most noteworthy American photographers of the last century to put the world’s health care workers in focus.
Founded in 2018, Phil Ropy is a digital philanthropy cards startup that produces shareable images for purchase and download to raise awareness for nonprofits around the world. Some of the organizations Phil Ropy has supported include Surfrider Foundation Europe, Women’s Aid, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.
The photo on Project HOPE’s card, which depicts a pair of entwined rubber gloves hanging from a clothesline, was taken in 1965 by photographer Elliott Erwitt, an American documentary photographer known for black-and-white photos that captured intimate details of everyday life.
“With the overwhelming spread of COVID-19, it was clear that we wanted to support a health organization,” said Margaux Kraemer, Head of Product at Phil Ropy. “Our artistic advisor in Paris suggested the rubber gloves picture and suddenly it clicked — it had to be Project HOPE.”
Erwitt, 92, took some of the most iconic portraits of the 20th century, including photos of Marilyn Monroe, Richard Nixon, and Marlin Brando. His work was featured in magazines like Look, Life, and Collier’s, and is held in collections of the National Gallery of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.
“We had always dreamed of designing a card and supporting a nonprofit with Elliott Erwitt,” Kraemer said. “He is a living legend of photography. When we offered for him to make a card with us, he was thrilled, because our approach really stands out and is a great way to give back and spread the word.
“This picture is so powerful because it is so simple. It is a striking reminder of how exposed our health heroes are when saving lives.”
“With this photo, we hope people remember that sometimes simple things can make a huge difference: gloves to protect health workers, and support that gives them visibility and raises awareness. This picture is so powerful because it is so simple. It is a striking reminder of how exposed our health heroes are when saving lives, and a beautiful allusion to Project HOPE’s logo.”
To date, Project HOPE’s COVID-19 response has provided more than 10 million pieces of personal protective equipment and trained over 80,000 health care workers around the world.
The card is available to purchase and download at Phil Ropy’s website.
“We are very grateful for being able to support Project HOPE in our special way,” Kraemer said. “Their successful approach focusing on empowering and being involved on the local level enables them to have a really positive and long-lasting impact on local communities.”
How you can help
Make a lifesaving gift to support our work now and for the future at projecthope.org/donate.
Are you a healthcare or other professional who would like to learn more about volunteering abroad with Project HOPE? Learn more about our volunteer program and join our volunteer roster.
Stay up-to-date on this story and our lifesaving work around the world by following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and help spread the word by sharing stories that move and inspire you.