Cione Ruta de la Luz Foundation

What Cione Ruta de la Luz Foundation does

Fundación Cione Ruta de la Luz is a Spanish non-profit foundation, promoted by Cione Grupo de ópticas and headquartered in Las Rozas (Madrid), that delivers humanitarian visual health aid to vulnerable populations. Founded in 2000 with documented operations dating to 1995, the foundation runs field expeditions deploying volunteer optometrists to conduct vision screenings, prescribe and distribute corrective eyeglasses, and refer surgical cases (cataracts, glaucoma) to partner hospitals. Active programs span 27 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, plus domestic initiatives in Spain including 'Vacaciones en Paz' (visual health for Saharawi children hosted in summer) and 'Ver para Crecer' (screenings for Spanish populations in social exclusion). Some long-running projects, notably in Mozambique and Tanzania, are structured around training local optical staff and supporting local optical shops with the explicit goal of self-sufficiency, with Mozambique campaigns operating three times per year.

The foundation's operational technology is conventional optometric field equipment — refraction units, autorefractors, keratometers, slit lamps, trial lens sets, projectors, phoropters, and manual edging machines — transported to expedition sites and used by trained volunteer professionals. The organization does not develop or sell software products; its core deliverable is human-driven service delivery paired with physical eyeglass distribution. No AI/ML components, digital platforms, or proprietary technology assets are referenced in the source data.

Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring individual memberships (socios) at 10€ per month, tax-deductible one-time donations under Spanish Law 49/2002, and corporate sponsorship. The foundation is integrated by more than 400 members (socios y socias) and partners with named institutions including Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Fundación Repsol, Fundación Barraquer, ACCI, and a network of local NGOs, religious orders, and hospitals that provide in-country logistics and beneficiary access. The organization is governed as a Spanish fundación under its promoting parent rather than as a commercial subsidiary.

Name

Cione Ruta de la Luz Foundation

Legal name

Fundación Cione Ruta de la Luz

Website

https://fundacionrutadelaluz.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fundación Cione Ruta de la Luz is a Spanish non-profit foundation that deploys volunteer optometrists on field expeditions to deliver free vision screenings and eyeglasses to vulnerable populations across 27 countries, plus domestic programs in Spain, supported by individual memberships and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Visual Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Optometrists (621320)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Ophthalmic/Optometric Assisting (EDAOAJAK)

Keywords

• Humanitarian vision care
• Visual health services
• Eye care missions
• Nonprofit foundation
• Optometric expeditions

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Rozas

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership contributions (Cuotas de socio): Individuals become members (socios) paying a monthly contribution. The primary membership tier costs 10€ per month (120€ per year). Membership enables individuals to participate in international expeditions and national campaigns as active members.
2. One-time donations: One-time monetary or material donations from individuals and corporations. Donations qualify for tax deductions under Spanish Law 49/2002 (75% deduction for the first 150€ donated, 30% thereafter for individuals; 35% for legal entities).
3. Corporate sponsorship: Corporate partners sponsor expeditions and projects, providing financing, equipment, or logistical support. Partners include companies such as Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Fundación Repsol, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fundación Cione Ruta de la Luz delivers free humanitarian visual health aid through field-based optometric expeditions and national campaigns. Its core services include vision screenings, refractive assessments, eyeglass prescriptions, on-site custom eyeglass fabrication and distribution, hearing screenings (in select projects), and referrals for ophthalmologic surgery (cataracts, glaucoma). These services are provided to vulnerable populations—primarily children and adults in developing countries—who lack access to optical professionals and corrective eyewear.

Product overview

Cione Ruta de la Luz Foundation is a non-profit humanitarian organization promoted by Cione Grupo de ópticas that provides visual health aid services. The foundation conducts international visual health projects, delivering eyeglasses, visual examinations, and optical care to vulnerable populations worldwide. The organization does not offer technology products or software services, but rather delivers humanitarian aid through field expeditions, partnerships with local organizations, and the establishment of sustainable optical shops in developing regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Visual Health Expeditions Field-based optometric expeditions delivering free vision screenings, refractive assessments, eyeglass prescriptions, and on-site custom eyeglass fabrication/distribution to vulnerable populations in developing countries lacking access to optical services. Teams of volunteer optometrists (cooperantes) travel to partner countries multiple times per year, conducting campaigns lasting from days to several months.
• National Vision Care Program — 'Ver para Crecer' National program within Spain providing free vision screenings and eyeglasses to vulnerable populations at risk of social exclusion, including children from low-income families attending social dining halls, delivered through partner NGOs and volunteer optical professionals.
• 'Vacaciones en Paz' Visual Health Program Visual health screenings and free eyeglass delivery for Saharawi refugee children hosted in Spain during summer holidays under the 'Vacaciones en Paz' program, coordinated with the Saharawi delegation and supporting optical shops. The 2025 project delivered 460 screenings and 360 eyeglasses.
• Individual Membership Program (Hazte Socio) Recurring membership program for individual supporters who pay 10€ per month (120€ per year) to support the foundation's humanitarian visual health mission. Members receive membership benefits, can participate in international expeditions as active members, and their contributions qualify for tax deductions under Spanish Law 49/2002.
• Volunteer Cooperante Program Program recruiting trained optical professionals to join international and national field expeditions as volunteer cooperantes, delivering eye examinations, prescriptions, and eyeglass distribution. Travel costs may be covered by the foundation or self-funded depending on the project.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of vision screenings conducted annually; eyeglasses distributed; local optical shops established and sustained in countries such as Mozambique and Tanzania.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner co-funding and supporting visual health expeditions in multiple countries, including Cabo Verde and Morocco. Provides financing, logistical support, and access to local networks in West Africa.
• Fundación BarraquercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOphthalmology foundation providing ophthalmologist support during expeditions, handling complex surgical cases referred from field missions. Co-delivers expeditions in Cabo Verde and other locations.
• Cione Grupo de ópticascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company promoting and backing the foundation. Provides access to optical professional networks, equipment donations, and institutional support. The foundation is integrated by the Cione Group.
• ACCI (Asociación Contra la Ceguera Internacional)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the global initiative to eliminate preventable blindness led by the WHO. Co-develops visual health projects in countries such as Tanzania, supporting optical infrastructure and local professional training.
• AfrikablemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal NGO partner in Kenya (Lamu) providing the operational base for vision screening expeditions. Focuses on women's empowerment, childhood, and fair trade in addition to health.
• Aldeas Infantiles SOSmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational NGO supporting orphaned and vulnerable children. Foundation conducts vision screenings for children in Aldeas programs in Guinea Equatorial, contributing to their comprehensive health and education support.
• Fundación Por Una Sonrisa en ÁfricamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-term partner in Senegal since 2006, running visual health projects in Mbour and Louly focusing on children's vision care.
• Dentistas Sobre RuedasmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDental NGO partnering on combined health missions in Senegal (Missirah) since 2015, providing logistical infrastructure for vision care delivery alongside dental services.
• Fundación EncontrocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKey partner in Mozambique since 2006, running Casa do Gaiato (orphanage) and Óptica Encontro in Massaca. Foundation supports the local optical shop, trains local staff, and conducts regular campaigns 3 times per year.
• Fundación Ojos del MundomajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEye health foundation collaborating on projects in Bolivia, supporting visual health interventions in schools and communities around Oruro.
• Fundación RepsolmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate foundation supporting visual health projects in Kurdistan, Bolivia (Amazonía), and Peru (Ventanilla). Provides project financing and access to corporate social responsibility networks.
• ONG Solidaridad con América Latina (SAL)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for 11 expeditions in El Alto, Bolivia, supporting children in Menesian Brothers schools with vision care and corrective eyewear.
• Hermanas de los Sagrados Corazones (Rukara, Rwanda)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReligious mission providing the operational base for Rwanda projects since 2013. Their Centre de Santé de Rukara serves as the hub for vision screenings and community outreach.
• Hospital de San Juan de Dios de Tanguietáu (Benin)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReferral hospital serving as the base for all campaigns in Benin. Founded in 1970 by the Brothers, it is a regional reference center serving patients from Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo.
• Delegación Saharaui en EspañamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaharawi delegation coordinating the 'Vacaciones en Paz' program hosting Saharawi children in Spain during summer. Joint agreement signed in 2025 for visual health screenings of hosted children.
• Fundación Baviera ResponsablemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the three-way agreement with the Delegation Saharaui for the Vacaciones en Paz project, facilitating visual health delivery to Saharawi children in Spain.
• Fundación Othman KtirimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoroccan foundation formalising collaboration in March 2025 to support the 'Asswounfou' project in Ait Aissa Oubrahim, Tinghir province, targeting ~1,000 patients and delivering 300 custom eyeglasses in the first expedition.
• Fundación Solidaria Luna NuevaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for Linguère project in Senegal, coordinating delivery of 33 eyeglasses to beneficiaries. Also partnered on Linguère 2020 project.
• Grupo ÁnemonamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner supporting the 2025 Vacaciones en Paz project in Spain, facilitating eye screenings for Saharaui children through participating optical shops.
• Asociación AzaharaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal NGO partner in Morocco, co-delivering projects with Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Chefchaouen and Kenitra.
• CharityVisionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for the 2022 Peru expedition in Iquitos and Nauta, supporting visual health delivery in the Amazon region alongside local association Compromiso.
• Casa del TibetminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner coordinating the visual health project in Dharamsala, India, at Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) Suja, supporting exiled Tibetan children.
• BeltoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHearing aid company providing material and technical support for hearing screenings added to the Sahara project in 2015, complementing the visual health mission.
• Misión Regional de CastillaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCivil association supporting the 2024 Peru mission in Paita, targeting vulnerable families and schoolchildren in desert settlement areas.
• Asociación ACOES (Honduras)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation-focused NGO in Honduras (Tegucigalpa) defending access to education. Foundation supports with vision care for children in ACOES schools.
• Fundación GomaespumaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting projects in Senegal (Diembering 2022 and 2023), contributing to mission logistics and beneficiary outreach.
• Fundación de Ayuda Solidaria Hijas de Jesús (FASFI)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for 2024 Dominican Republic project, supporting vision health delivery in Consuelo municipality in bateyes (sugarcane settlements).
• ACALA / ASCALA (Dominican Republic)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal organisation in Dominican Republic fighting to improve lives of people in bateyes (sugarcane field settlements). Foundation partner since 2017 for vision health projects.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• VisionSpring: Social enterprise providing affordable eyeglasses via local entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Adjacent model — addresses the same unmet need but via market-based distribution in low-income settings rather than humanitarian field expeditions.

Broad incumbents

• Sightsavers: Major international NGO working on avoidable blindness and visual impairment in developing countries. Similar mission scope but a much larger organisation tackling multiple eye diseases (trachoma, onchocerciasis), with comparable in-country partnership models.
• Light for the World: European disability-inclusion NGO with eye-health programmes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Overlapping beneficiary geography and field-delivery approach, though broader mandate covering disability beyond vision.
• OneSight (EssilorLuxottica Foundation): Global vision-care foundation backed by Luxottica, providing free eye exams and eyeglasses in underserved communities worldwide. Far larger in scale and resources, but pursues an essentially identical value proposition: addressing uncorrected refractive error in low-income populations.

Direct peers

• RestoringVision: US-based nonprofit distributing reading glasses and sunglasses to people in low-income communities globally. Highly comparable mission, with greater scale and a more product-distribution-led model versus Cione's clinical expedition model.
• Fundación Ojos del Mundo: Spanish eye-health foundation collaborating on Bolivia projects with Cione Ruta de la Luz. Both deliver free ophthalmologic care to vulnerable populations in Latin America and Africa; structure, beneficiary profile, and operating model are essentially identical.
• Optometry Giving Sight: Global fundraising vehicle for optometry-led vision care projects in developing countries. Same target beneficiary (uncorrected refractive error) and same professional network base, but operates as an industry-wide fund rather than a direct service provider.
• Fundación Barraquer: Barcelona-based ophthalmology foundation that co-delivers expeditions with Cione Ruta de la Luz in Cabo Verde and elsewhere. Both organisations run optometric/ophthalmologic humanitarian missions, train local staff, and rely on volunteer Spanish clinicians.

Others

• Childhood Foundation / Aldeas Infantiles SOS programmes: Spanish/European child-welfare NGOs that Cione Ruta de la Luz partners with operationally. Not direct competitors but functionally comparable as Spanish nonprofits reaching vulnerable children through partnership ecosystems — useful for benchmarking governance, fundraising, and reporting practices.

Regional players

• Fundación Cetaqua (and similar Spanish social-health foundations): Reference point for Spanish non-profit foundations combining corporate parent backing with field-based social programmes. Same Spanish legal foundation structure (Ley 49/2002), same tax-deductible donation framework, similar reliance on corporate sponsorship.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FundacionRutaDeLaLuz
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundacion_cione_ruta_de_la_luz/?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM%3D

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Cione Ruta de la Luz Foundation