Sierra Donor Services

What Sierra Donor Services does

Sierra Donor Services (SDS) is a federally designated nonprofit Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) founded in 1985 and operating as a division of DCI Donor Services. It coordinates organ, eye, and tissue donation across 13 counties in Northern California and Northern Nevada, serving more than 2.8 million people. In 2025 the organization facilitated 422 organ transplants and, as of YTD reporting, has coordinated 391 tissue donors; in 2022 it recovered 12,731 tissue grafts from 881 tissue donors. The portfolio includes the Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank for corneal tissue, a specialized Birth Tissue Donation Program (more than 1,000 donations with Renown Regional Medical Center over four years, yielding 100+ grafts per donation), donor family-to-recipient correspondence services, the #BeTheGift Connections podcast, the Donor Memorial Wall, the annual Donor Dash 5K, and the Donate Life Ambassador Program with 34+ active volunteers.

The underlying technology stack is an integration of third-party clinical platforms rather than proprietary software: Specialist Direct Telepathology for remote pathology review, MediGO GPS-based organ tracking with Trinity Medical Solutions transportation, the Paragonix KidneyVault Renal Perfusion System deployed with UCI Health, and an Epic/MyChart integration enabling organ donor registration directly through patient portals (250,000+ registrations across 220+ organizations, 1,300 hospitals, and 27,000 clinics in the first year). SDS operates under FDA 21 CFR Part 1271 and AATB guidelines for HCT/P tissue-based products and is HIPAA-compliant.

The revenue model combines managed-services procurement fees from hospital and tissue processor partners with public fundraising (Big Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday, Donor Dash 5K) and licensing-equivalent authorization revenue through donor memorial photo/video use. GTM is hybrid: direct enterprise sales to hospital systems and OB/GYNs, hospital-based birth tissue channel partnerships, self-serve online registration (Donate Life California, Donate Life Nevada, MyChart, Apple Health App, IRS tax form), and community-led ambassador outreach concentrated in multicultural communities where the California transplant waitlist is 79% people of color.

Name

Sierra Donor Services

Legal name

Sierra Donor Services

Website

https://sierradonor.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sierra Donor Services is a federally designated nonprofit Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) founded in 1985, coordinating organ, eye, tissue, and birth tissue donation across 13 counties in Northern California and Nevada for 2.8 million residents as a division of DCI Donor Services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organ Procurement Services

NAICS

Blood and Organ Banks (621991)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Blood, Organ & Tissue Donation Organizations (BPAGACAJ)

Keywords

• Organ procurement services
• Tissue donation coordination
• Birth tissue donation
• Eye bank services
• Transplant support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Organ and Tissue Procurement Services: Nonprofit OPO providing organ, eye, and tissue procurement services to transplant hospitals and tissue processors across 13 counties in Northern California and Nevada. Revenue derived from hospital/medical service fees for organ recovery and tissue grafts. In 2022, 401 organ transplants and 12,731 tissue grafts were facilitated.
2. Birth Tissue Donation Program: Specialized C-section birth tissue recovery program delivering 100+ grafts per donation; serves hospital partners (e.g., Renown Regional Medical Center) with 4+ year relationships; charges for tissue management, packaging, and shipping services
3. Financial Contributions and Donations: Public fundraising through financial contributions, Big Day of Giving (May 7), Giving Tuesday, and annual #BeTheGift Donor Dash 5K ($20K in 2023, $64K in 2025); scholarship funds for underserved healthcare students
4. Donor Memorial Wall Authorization: Authorization to use, reproduce, and publish photographs and video for donor awareness, Donate Life messaging, and recruitment materials (continuous authorization via submissions)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Sierra Donor Services is a federally-designated, private nonprofit Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) that coordinates the full organ, eye, and tissue donation process across 13 counties in Northern California and Northern Nevada, serving more than 2.8 million people. The organization operates the Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank for corneal/ocular tissue recovery, a Birth Tissue Donation Program that recovers placenta and birth tissue from planned Caesarean deliveries yielding 100+ grafts per donor, and donor family-to-recipient correspondence services. Since 1985 it has operated as a division of DCI Donor Services.

Product overview

Sierra Donor Services (SDS) is a single, unified nonprofit Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) offering rather than a modular software platform. Its core offering is the Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation Coordination service, which connects donor heroes to transplant recipients across 13 counties in Northern California and Nevada. On top of that core service, SDS operates several named sub-offerings and programs: the Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank (sub-brand for corneal/ocular tissue recovery), the Birth Tissue Donation Program (a Caesarean-delivery add-on service that yields 100+ grafts per donor), the #BeTheGift Connections Podcast (monthly content series), the Donor Memorial Wall (online tribute experience), the #BeTheGift Donor Dash 5K Run/Walk & Health Fair (annual fundraising event), the Donate Life Ambassador Program (volunteer advocacy network), the Donor Family & Recipient Correspondence Service (communication facilitation), the Outdoor Advertising Campaign (outreach for communities of color), and the Sierra Donor Services Lifesaver Nursing Scholarship (community scholarship program). Together these offerings combine clinical donation coordination, community education, family/recipient support, and outreach into one integrated OPO service portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• #BeTheGift: Public awareness campaign and brand platform used across Sierra Donor Services' community engagement, podcast series, and events.
• #BeTheGift Connections
• Locks of Legacy
• Sierra Donor Dash
• Donor Dash 5K
• Light Up Sacramento

Products and services

• Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation Coordination Core federally-designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) service that coordinates the full organ, eye, and tissue donation process from referral and consent through recovery, preservation, and placement with transplant hospitals and tissue processors, serving more than 2.8 million people across 13 counties in Northern California and Nevada.
• Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank Eye-bank service within Sierra Donor Services that recovers and provides ocular tissue for corneal transplantation and vision-restoration procedures, highlighted during Eye Donation Month observances.
• Birth Tissue Donation Program Hospital-based program that recovers birth tissue (placenta/umbilical tissue) from planned Caesarean deliveries in partnership with hospitals such as Renown Regional Medical Center, generating 100+ grafts per donation for burns, wounds, spinal, mobility, and eye surgeries; operates under FDA 21 CFR Part 1271 and AATB guidelines and reached the 1,000+ donation milestone with Renown in November 2023.
• Donor Family & Recipient Correspondence Service Service that facilitates anonymous written and, eventually, in-person correspondence between donor families and transplant recipients, including letter review, sample letters, and a release form process to share contact information.

Quantifiable outcome

• 442 organ transplants in 2023 (171 donor heroes)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Renown Regional Medical CenterflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 November 20234+ year partnership for birth tissue donation program at C-section deliveries. Celebrated over 1,000 birth tissue donations milestone. Single donation facilitates healing of 100+ individuals. SDS provides staff, education, supplies, and tissue management. Renown OR Coordinator Andi cited for 3+ year positive integration experience.
• Epic (MyChart)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationNational integration with Epic's MyChart patient portal enabling organ donor registration directly through patient healthcare management portal. More than 250,000 organ donor registrations in first year (April 2025-2026); April 2026 alone saw 42,000+ new registrations. Deployed across 220+ organizations, 1,300 hospitals, 27,000 clinics. Cleveland Clinic leads with 12,800+ registrations.
• UCI HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to expand kidney transplant opportunities utilizing Paragonix KidneyVault Renal Perfusion System. Streamlines preservation of high-risk donor kidneys to increase utilization.
• Paragonix TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationParagonix KidneyVault Renal Perfusion System deployment with UCI Health for high-risk donor kidney preservation. Streamlines kidney recovery and transplantation process.
• Specialist DirectcoreTechnology or IntegrationTelepathology services for OPOs enabling remote pathology review. Sierra Donor Services is leveraging Specialist Direct's Telepathology to save lives through improved diagnostic speed and accuracy.
• MediGO and Trinity Medical SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationTop GPS technology and transportation service partnership to ensure timely arrival of far-traveled organs for transplantation. Announced January 4, 2023.
• Texas RoadhouseminorGTM or Marketing Partner3-day promotional event partnership (October 2025) with the popular restaurant chain to encourage guests to register as organ donors and learn about donation impact.
• KDEE 97.5 FMcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on 'Full Circle' radio show with host Ms. Wanda (SDS Ambassador). Episodes feature SDS ambassadors Judy & Brad Barroso and Malachi & Shawntay McBrewer, Earl Lovell's heart attack survivor story, and SDS news.
• Sacramento KingscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMulti-event partnership including Día de Los Muertos Night, Native American Heritage Night, Black History Month, Lunar New Year celebration, AAPI Heritage Night. Co-promotes organ donation at Kings games with jumbotron features and donor hero tributes.
• Kenny G.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrammy Award-winning artist partnered with Sierra Donor Services (December 2024) to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. Released holiday season PSA and heartfelt message encouraging organ donation.
• Scot PollardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFormer Sacramento Kings NBA player who received a life-saving heart transplant in early 2024 partnered with SDS to raise awareness. Subject of ESPN 'Heart of Pearl' documentary. Rode Indy 500 parade float with heart donor's family.
• Donate Life AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit managing the National Donate Life Registry; partnership on MyChart integration that exceeded 250,000 registrations. Two-year national pilot with National Kidney Registry to boost living kidney donation. David Fleming serves as President and CEO.
• Donate Life CaliforniaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partnership; co-advocates for legislative action (AB 503 Carrillo, AB 1268 Irwin). SDS CEO Jim Martin and other executives participate in annual Legislative Day. Donate Life California is a key registry partner for CA donor registration.
• OneLegacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner OPO in California. Co-creates Donate Life Rose Parade Float. Co-advocates for legislative action during Donate Life California Legislative Day.
• Donor Network WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner OPO in California co-advocating for organ donor registration legislation during Donate Life California Legislative Day.
• LifesharingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner OPO in California co-advocating for organ donor registration legislation during Donate Life California Legislative Day.
• Sacramento Ronald McDonald HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year Adopt-A-Room partnership supporting families with hospitalized children. SDS provides staff volunteer days, holiday meals, taco nights, and community service as part of DEI initiative. 38-room facility at 95% capacity during the holidays.
• Capitol City Black Nurses Association (CCBNA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner nursing association. SDS established inaugural Sierra Donor Services Lifesaver Nursing Scholarship (October 2024) and continues awarding scholarships at 5th Annual CCBNA Gala (October 2025). Joint webinar 'Unmasked: Understanding the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation.'
• Philippine Nurses Association of America - California Capital City Chapter (PNAC3)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFilipino community nursing partner. SDS Director of External Affairs Michael Coleman and Coordinator Angelika Williams awarded $1,000 scholarships at PNAC3 Annual Gala (November 2025). Supports Filipino American community health initiatives.
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses - Sacramento ChaptercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHispanic community nursing partner. Members (Reyna Portillo-Marzocca, Maria Gonzalez) actively support Donate Life Ambassador activities at community events including Sacramento Kings games.
• The Sacramento Observer (Word in Black)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration announced October 21, 2025 to conduct a national survey in the Black community shaping the future of organ donation.
• American River College (ARC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the new American River College (ARC) Career Technical Education Building (October 2025). Supports healthcare career technical education.
• More Life AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated 21 gently used laptops to the tuition-free private K-12 school. Surgical Director Dr. Beau Kelly delivered commencement address. Supports underserved students pursuing education.
• Firefighters Burn InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSacramento-based nonprofit partner dedicated to serving burn survivors. Featured on #BeTheGift Connections podcast; SDS Donor Services Liaison Chris Donhost provided insights on skin grafts for burn treatment.
• Imaginarium, Cirque LegacyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-partner with Ronald McDonald House for holiday entertainment event (December 2023). Cirque Legacy performed for families at the Ronald McDonald House holiday celebration.
• Donate Life California (Donor Dash Sponsor)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonate Life Avenger - $5,000 sponsor of #BeTheGift Donor Dash 5K Run/Walk. Also Super Supporters ($1,500): LifeCell and Trinity Medical Solutions. Sidekick Supporters ($500): NDS Print & Promotions and Sharif Jewelers.
• California Black Health NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRhonda Smith, Executive Director of California Black Health Network, contributed guest blog on National Multicultural Donor Awareness Month (August 2023). Partner for BIPOC community health equity.
• UC Davis HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor transplant partner; Richard V. Perez, MD serves as Chief of Transplant Surgery. UC Davis coordinated an eight-way chain kidney transplant in 2022 saving four lives. UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing partnered with PNAC3.
• Mount Vernon Memorial Park and MortuaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosts annual 'Light Up Sacramento' 6th annual event (April 3, 2025) honoring Donate Life Month. Partnership for community memorial events.
• La Ranchera and Lazer RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerHispanic Heritage Month radio partnerships. SDS External Affairs Coordinator Cristian Morales appears regularly on La Ranchera to discuss donation in Spanish, raising awareness in Latino community.
• Christopher 'Kid' Reid (Kid N' Play)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on 'CNN News Central' (April 2026) with Sara Sidner discussing near-death diagnosis and lifesaving heart transplant. Celebrity advocate for organ donation awareness.
• DCI Donor Services (Parent Organization)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSierra Donor Services is a division of DCI Donor Services. Shares infrastructure including DCIDS privacy policy, shared back-up number (615-307-7496), and shared administrative functions. New Mexico Donor Services and Tennessee Donor Services are sister divisions.
• Empower Health AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoined Empower Health Academy for inaugural 'Back 2 School Brunch for Aspiring Nurses' (August 4, 2024). Supports aspiring nurses in underserved communities.
• Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-partner for Lunar New Year celebration at Arden Fair Mall (February 2025) to engage Sacramento's Asian American community.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New England Donor Services: Nonprofit OPO serving the six New England states. Comparable federated OPO model with organ, tissue, and eye banking services, hospital-based clinical operations, and donor registration outreach.
• Donor Network West: Federally designated nonprofit OPO serving Northern California and Nevada, operating in overlapping geography with Sierra Donor Services. Partner OPO on Donate Life California Legislative Day advocacy and direct competitor for hospital referrals and donor registrations in adjacent service areas.
• LifeLink Foundation: Nonprofit OPO serving Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Comparable multi-state OPO operation with organ, tissue, and eye recovery programs, hospital partnerships, and donor registration outreach.
• Mid-America Transplant: Nonprofit OPO serving Missouri, Arkansas, and parts of Illinois. Comparable federally designated OPO operating an integrated organ and tissue procurement model with hospital partners and public donor registration outreach.
• Gift of Life Donor Program: The largest OPO in the United States, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Comparable nonprofit OPO model coordinating organ and tissue procurement, with similar technology adoption, multicultural outreach, and donor registration programs.
• New Mexico Donor Services: Sister division of Sierra Donor Services under DCI Donor Services parent. Operates the same nonprofit OPO model in New Mexico, sharing privacy/compliance infrastructure, technology partnerships, and administrative functions directly with SDS.
• Lifesharing: Nonprofit OPO serving San Diego and Imperial counties. Co-advocates with Sierra Donor Services on California organ-donor legislation through Donate Life California, with overlapping operational model as a federally designated OPO.
• OneLegacy: Federally designated nonprofit OPO serving the greater Los Angeles area and surrounding counties—the largest OPO in California. OneLegacy competes with Sierra Donor Services for transplant hospital partnerships, donor registrations, and public awareness in California, and is a co-creator of the Donate Life Rose Parade Float.
• Tennessee Donor Services: Sister division of Sierra Donor Services under DCI Donor Services parent. Operates as a nonprofit OPO in Tennessee, sharing the DCI Donor Services operating playbook, technology stack, and back-office infrastructure with SDS.

Others

• Donate Life America: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit managing the National Donate Life Registry. Sierra Donor Services partners with Donate Life America on the MyChart integration and national pilot programs but does not compete with it—Donate Life America operates the registry infrastructure while SDS handles local procurement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sierradonorsrvc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=MqyVH2L1OHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/sierradonorservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sierra-donor-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/sierradonorservices/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@dcidonorservices

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sierra Donor Services