Visionserve Alliance
VisionServe Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership consortium connecting 112-118 US and Canadian organizations serving people with blindness and low vision through leadership development, the VisionRefer! referral system, Big Data Project research, and biennial compensation surveys.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersSt Louis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Visionserve Alliance does
VisionServe Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership consortium headquartered at 8760 Manchester Road, St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1987 as the National Council of Private Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCPABVI) and renamed in 2008. The organization serves as the only national consortium connecting 112-118 nonprofit organizations across the United States and Canada that provide specialized services to people with blindness and low vision, spanning adult vision rehabilitation, employment and manufacturing, K-12 schools, early intervention programs, dog guide schools, low vision clinics, and braille production. Operations are managed by a small staff (1-10 employees) under the leadership of CEO Lee Nasehi, supported by a board of directors representing member organizations.
The consortium's core offerings include VisionRefer!, a HIPAA-compliant web-based patient referral system developed in partnership with Lighthouse Works that enables ophthalmologists to refer patients to vision rehabilitation centers (piloted in Florida, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma with planned nationwide rollout); the Big Data Project, a proprietary research initiative conducted in partnership with Ohio State University College of Optometry that produces standardized statewide data on blindness and low vision demographics; the biennial Compensation & Benefits Survey, the only comprehensive salary benchmarking instrument in the field; and Executive Leadership Consulting programs (System & Soul, Executive Leadership Coaching, The Leadership Challenge). The organization also convenes the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC), a 160+ organization coalition addressing data, access, policy, and public awareness issues.
VisionServe Alliance generates revenue through four streams: membership dues on a recurring subscription basis, conference and event fees (including CEU credits) tied to the annual Executive Leadership Conference, transaction-based compensation survey report sales ($250 for member non-participants, $500 for non-members), and donations and foundation grants (including from the Gibney Family Foundation). Services are distributed via a member portal, annual in-person conferences, recurring webinars, the Voices of Vision Leaders podcast, social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), and a Speak4-powered public policy advocacy platform. Customer segments are exclusively nonprofit organizations in the blindness and low vision field, with secondary reach into executive/emerging leader personas and the aging population with vision loss.
Visionserve Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Visionserve Alliance
- Legal name
- VisionServe Alliance, Inc.
- Website
- https://visionservealliance.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- VisionServe Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership consortium connecting 112-118 US and Canadian organizations serving people with blindness and low vision through leadership development, the VisionRefer! referral system, Big Data Project research, and biennial compensation surveys.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Visionserve Alliance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Membership Consortium / Vision Rehabilitation Advocacy
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)
Keywords
Where Visionserve Alliance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Visionserve Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Organizations pay membership dues to join VisionServe Alliance and receive member benefits including access to exclusive resources, networking opportunities, and discounted survey reports.
- Compensation & Benefits Survey Reports: Customized reports with local labor statistics available for purchase; $250 for members who did not participate in the survey, $500 for non-members.
- Conference and Event Fees: Revenue from Executive Leadership Conference registrations, sponsorship opportunities, and continuing education unit (CEU) credits.
- Donations and Support: The organization accepts donations through its website and has received grants from foundations like the Gibney Family Foundation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Member Survey Report Access |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Annual | Conference Registration |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Visionserve Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VisionServe Alliance is a national nonprofit membership consortium that supports organizations serving people who are blind or have low vision. Its core offerings include a members-only portal with exclusive resources, the VisionRefer! web-based patient referral system, the Big Data Project research initiative with Ohio State University, biennial Compensation & Benefits Surveys, executive leadership consulting services, the annual Executive Leadership Conference, and the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) advocacy platform.
Product overview
VisionServe Alliance is a nonprofit consortium offering membership-based services to organizations serving people with blindness and low vision. The core offerings include VisionRefer!, a web-based referral system for patient referrals to vision rehabilitation centers; the Big Data Project providing industry research and reports on vision loss demographics; Executive Leadership Consulting services; and a members-only portal with webinars and resources. The organization also conducts a biennial Compensation & Benefits Survey and manages the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC). These services work together to advance the field of blindness and low vision services through data, leadership development, and industry collaboration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC): A national coalition of 160+ organizations working together to address crucial industry challenges impacting people facing blindness and low vision.
- Big Data Project
- VisionRefer!
- VisionServe Health Alliance
Products and services
- VisionRefer! A web-based, HIPAA-compliant patient referral system that enables ophthalmologists to easily and quickly refer patients of all ages for vision rehabilitation services to centers nationwide. Built by Lighthouse Works in partnership with VisionServe Alliance; piloted in Florida, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma with plans for nationwide rollout.
- Big Data Project A research initiative analyzing standardized statewide data and national reports of people who are blind or have low vision, covering Adults 65+ and Working Age Adults. Conducted in partnership with the Ohio State University College of Optometry; provides groundbreaking national and state-level data and reports for the field.
- Executive Leadership Consulting Consulting services for member organization leaders that strengthen organizational health, including System & Soul, Executive Leadership Coaching, and The Leadership Challenge programs. Targets CEOs, executive directors, and emerging leaders of vision rehabilitation agencies.
- Compensation & Benefits Survey Biennial compensation survey providing comparative salary information for vision rehabilitation professionals, manufacturing positions, and executives across member agencies. Customized local labor statistics reports available for $250 (members) or $500 (non-members); 93 member agencies participated in the 5th edition.
- Executive Leadership Conference Annual in-person conference providing networking, learning sessions, and professional development for leaders in the blindness and vision rehabilitation field. Offers CEU credits; the 2019 Atlanta edition drew 181 leaders from 75 member organizations.
- Member Portal Online members-only portal providing exclusive access to webinars, compensation surveys, organizational development materials, and other resources for member organization staff.
- VisionServe Health Alliance A health captive initiative providing benefits coordination for member organizations, announced as a health-related sub-brand of VisionServe Alliance.
- Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC)
Quantifiable outcome
- Record attendance of 181 leaders from 75 member organizations (61% of membership) at the 2019 Executive Leadership Conference
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Visionserve Alliance
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Visionserve Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Visionserve Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.
- Lighthouse Works (Lighthouse Central Florida)coreTechnology development partner for the VisionRefer! web-based patient referral system. The tech team at Lighthouse Works developed the system in partnership with VisionServe Alliance.
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB)coreStrategic partnership for conducting the Biennial Compensation & Benefits Survey and collaborating on industry initiatives. NIB is a key national organization supporting employment of people who are blind.
- National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB)coreCollaborative partner in conducting the Biennial Compensation & Benefits Survey, which is the only comprehensive survey in the field for vision rehabilitation professionals, manufacturing positions, and executives.
- Ohio State University College of OptometrycoreKey research partner for the Big Data Project, analyzing standardized statewide data and national reports of people who are blind or have low vision across two age groups: Adults 65+ and Working Age Adults.
- Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC)coreCoalition led by VisionServe Alliance addressing crucial industry challenges impacting people facing blindness and low vision, with 160+ member organizations working together on data and research, access to quality services, policy and funding, and public awareness.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)majorCollaborative partner on public policy initiatives and the American Foundation for the Blind's Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends in the Blindness Field, where VisionServe award recipients have been honored.
- Florida Agencies Serving the Blind (Florida ASB)regionalSupervising agency for the twelve-month pilot program of VisionRefer! in Florida, introducing the system to ophthalmologists statewide.
- National Council on Aging (NCOA)majorCollaborative partner for publishing articles on vision care and aging, including featured content in USA Today partnership.
- American Society on Aging (ASA)majorPartnership for publishing articles on aging and vision loss, expanding reach to professionals in the aging services field.
- National OIB Technical Assistance Center (OIB TAC)corePartnership with NRTC at Mississippi State University providing resources, courses, and training for Older Individuals who are Blind programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Visionserve Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB): NIB is a national nonprofit employment-focused organization for people who are blind. VisionServe Alliance and NIB jointly conduct the biennial Compensation & Benefits Survey and share membership overlap, making NIB the closest operational peer in the blindness services ecosystem.
- Prevent Blindness: Prevent Blindness is a national nonprofit focused on eye health, vision screening, and safety, serving a population that significantly overlaps with VisionServe Alliance's end beneficiaries. It is comparable in scale, mission breadth, and member/stakeholder model.
- Lighthouse Guild: Lighthouse Guild is a leading nonprofit providing integrated vision + healthcare services and supports, with a national reach comparable to many VisionServe Alliance member organizations. Both operate in the same service-provider ecosystem for people with vision loss.
- National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB): NAEPB is a direct strategic partner in conducting the only comprehensive Compensation & Benefits Survey in the field. Its membership of employment-focused agencies for people who are blind is structurally comparable to VisionServe Alliance's member base.
- American Council of the Blind (ACB): ACB is a national consumer-led advocacy organization for blind and visually impaired Americans. It overlaps with VisionServe Alliance in policy advocacy, member services, and convening leaders in the blindness field.
Broad incumbents
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): AFB is a long-established national nonprofit serving the blindness and low vision field through advocacy, research, and professional resources. VisionServe Alliance collaborates with AFB on public policy and the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends, and the two compete for influence in setting field-wide standards and programs.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): NFB is the largest membership-based advocacy organization of blind Americans, operating programs, training, and scholarships. It competes with VisionServe Alliance for advocacy mindshare and member attention in the blindness community.
Others
- National Council on Aging (NCOA): NCOA is a national nonprofit addressing aging-related issues and partners with VisionServe Alliance on publishing articles on vision care and aging. It is thematically adjacent — serving overlapping end beneficiaries but operating a much broader mission than blindness-specific services.
Regional players
- Envision (formerly Envision, Inc.): Envision is a service provider employing and serving people who are blind, headquartered in the Midwest. VisionServe Alliance and Envision overlap on the 2026 joint conference (per VisionServe's 2026 Conference press release), making Envision a relevant peer in the vision services ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Foundation Fighting Blindness: Foundation Fighting Blindness is a research-driven nonprofit funding treatments and cures for retinal diseases. It is comparable as a national nonprofit serving the blindness community but differs in mission (research vs. service provider consortium).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Visionserve Alliance social profiles
Digital presenceVisionserve Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Visionserve Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Visionserve Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Visionserve Alliance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Visionserve Alliance
What does Visionserve Alliance do?
VisionServe Alliance is a national nonprofit membership consortium that supports organizations serving people who are blind or have low vision. Its core offerings include a members-only portal with exclusive resources, the VisionRefer! web-based patient referral system, the Big Data Project research initiative with Ohio State University, biennial Compensation & Benefits Surveys, executive leadership consulting services, the annual Executive Leadership Conference, and the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) advocacy platform.
Is Visionserve Alliance a public or private company?
Visionserve Alliance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Visionserve Alliance founded?
Visionserve Alliance was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Visionserve Alliance based?
Visionserve Alliance is headquartered in St Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Visionserve Alliance make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are compensation & Benefits Survey Reports, conference and Event Fees and donations and Support.
Who are Visionserve Alliance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Industries for the Blind (NIB), Prevent Blindness, Lighthouse Guild, National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB) and American Council of the Blind (ACB). Broad incumbents are American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and National Federation of the Blind (NFB). National Council on Aging (NCOA) is listed as an others. Envision (formerly Envision, Inc.) is listed as a regional player. Foundation Fighting Blindness is listed as an emerging player.
Does Visionserve Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Visionserve Alliance.
What industry is Visionserve Alliance in?
Visionserve Alliance's product category is Nonprofit Membership Consortium / Vision Rehabilitation Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of BPAGACAM, Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.