Eyesight Foundation of Alabama

What Eyesight Foundation of Alabama does

The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama (ESFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant-making foundation established in 1997 in Birmingham, Alabama. It was created from a $60 million endowment derived from the sale of the Eye Foundation Hospital (now UAB Callahan Eye Hospital) to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The foundation's mission is to eradicate blinding eye diseases in Alabama through research funding, vision screenings, low vision rehabilitation, and ophthalmologist training.

ESFA operates a community-led grant-making model, awarding approximately $2.5 million annually to 30+ nonprofit organizations across Alabama. Since inception, cumulative grants have exceeded $74 million, with $50 million directed to the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and $10.7 million to UAB Callahan Eye Hospital. Key grantees include Sight Savers America (children's eye care), Prevent Blindness (awareness), and Advancing Sight Network (cell research). The foundation has supported research equipment acquisitions, including the Nikon AXR Confocal Microscope at UAB.

ESFA is governed by a 24-member Board of Trustees and led by Executive Director Barbara Evers (since October 2021, succeeding Torrey DeKeyser after her 22-year tenure). The foundation has no commercial revenue streams; grants are funded exclusively by endowment returns, with assets roughly equal to the original $60M after 24 years (per 2021 statement). The foundation's impact is evidenced by UAB Ophthalmology's rise from #32 to top-15 in NIH funding since 2012, with UAB faculty doubling over the same period.

Name

Eyesight Foundation of Alabama

Legal name

EyeSight Foundation of Alabama

Website

https://eyesightfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant-making foundation established in 1997 in Birmingham from a $60 million hospital-sale endowment. It awards approximately $2.5 million annually to Alabama nonprofits supporting eye disease research, vision screenings, and ophthalmologist training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Grant-making Foundation (Eye Health Philanthropy)

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Eye health grants
• Vision research funding
• Ophthalmology philanthropy
• Community vision services
• Nonprofit grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Endowment Investment Returns: The foundation began with a $60 million endowment derived from the sale of the Eye Foundation Hospital to UAB. Grants are awarded from the proceeds of this special endowment. The foundation awards approximately $2.5 million in grants each year.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Eyesight Foundation of Alabama is a nonprofit grant-making foundation that awards roughly $2.9 million in annual grants from a $60 million endowment to fund eye health research, community-based vision services, and ophthalmologist training across Alabama. Since its 1997 founding from the Eye Foundation Hospital sale to UAB, it has operated as the state's primary private grant-making entity dedicated exclusively to vision health, supporting more than 30 partner organizations through an annual Letter of Inquiry and full proposal review cycle.

Product overview

The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama is a nonprofit grant-making foundation established in 1997 from proceeds of the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital sale. Rather than a technology product company, it operates as a philanthropic organization offering grant programs, community partnerships, and awareness initiatives. Its core offerings include: research grants funding eye disease studies and treatments ($74+ million awarded since inception); vision screening and rehabilitation services for Alabama residents; partnerships with UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, Sight Savers America, and Prevent Blindness; the scEYEnce awareness campaign; the Visionary Award program; and resource directories connecting patients to eye care. The foundation supports training of ophthalmologists and has helped elevate UAB's ophthalmology department to top-15 NIH funding ranking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eye Research Grants Program Competitive grant funding awarded to Alabama-based research institutions (notably the UAB Department of Ophthalmology) for vision science research, including gene therapy, stem-cell, and advanced microscopy investigations (e.g., Nikon AXR Confocal Microscope acquisition). Applicants submit a Letter of Inquiry; selected applicants are invited to submit full proposals.
• Community Vision Services Grants Program Grant funding to Alabama nonprofit eye-health organizations to deliver community-based vision services, including vision screenings, follow-up eye care, low-vision rehabilitation services for older adults, and awareness campaigns reaching underserved populations.
• Ophthalmologist Training Grants Grant support for ophthalmologist training and workforce development in Alabama, complementing the foundation's research and community service grant tracks.

Quantifiable outcome

• UAB Ophthalmology rose to top-15 NIH ranking from Number 32 in 2012 with ESFA support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Primary philanthropic partner; ESFA is a key catalyst in UAB Ophthalmology's ranking in National Institutes of Health Funding (top-15 nationally). Foundation has awarded over $50 million to support research, faculty, and programs. The partnership includes the Vision of Excellence Initiative started in 2012.
• UAB Callahan Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric connection - ESFA was created from proceeds when the Eye Foundation Hospital (now Callahan) was sold to UAB. Foundation has awarded $10.7 million to support the hospital's eye care services and research capabilities. Callahan is one of only two Level 1 Ocular Trauma Centers in the United States.
• Sight Savers AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESFA was Sight Savers' first large funder with $20,000 catalyst grant. The foundation asked that four other organizations follow their lead, which opened doors in the funding community. Sight Savers has grown from serving 11 children in 1997 to a national program serving children across 15 states.
• Prevent BlindnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization focused on preventing blindness. ESFA supports Prevent Blindness resources and awareness programs. Torrey DeKeyser served as immediate past chair of the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors.
• Vulcan Park and MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing relationship dating back to 2000. ESFA partnered to create 'Eyes Over Birmingham' statue as part of Vulcans on Parade program, designed for accessibility for people with low vision or blindness. Also organized 'Hands-On-Vulcan' event for visually impaired.
• UAB School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent institution of UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. ESFA's multi-year funding plans support the department's research growth that rose from 32nd to top-10 nationally.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Prevent Blindness: National nonprofit focused on preventing blindness through advocacy, education, and screening programs; ESFA is a documented state-level partner. Direct comparable in mission, with much larger national scale and reach.
• Glaucoma Research Foundation: National nonprofit funding glaucoma research through grants and educational programs. Direct comparable in mission focus and grantmaking foundation structure, with disease-specific specialization.
• Seva Foundation: International nonprofit focused on eye care and blindness prevention, with both U.S. and global programs. Direct comparable in grantmaking foundation model and mission, with broader international geographic scope.
• International Retinal Research Foundation: Foundation funding retinal research and a documented collaborative partner with ESFA in supporting UAB ophthalmology. Direct comparable in mission, focus area, and collaborative funding model.
• Helen Keller International: International nonprofit working to prevent blindness and address malnutrition, with significant U.S. and global vision programs. Comparable in mission focus on blindness prevention and operating model.
• Research to Prevent Blindness: National nonprofit providing research grants, equipment, and career development awards to university departments of ophthalmology. Direct comparable in operating model, with similar focus on catalyzing academic vision research.
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: National nonprofit funding research for blinding retinal diseases through grants to researchers and institutions. Direct peer in mission and grantmaking model, with significantly larger scale (~$300M+ endowment) and broader geographic reach.
• BrightFocus Foundation: National nonprofit funding research on macular degeneration, glaucoma, and Alzheimer's disease. Comparable grantmaking foundation structure with overlapping focus on retinal disease and vision research.

Broad incumbents

• American Academy of Ophthalmology Foundation: Foundation arm of the largest U.S. ophthalmology professional association, funding education, research, and advocacy in vision health. Comparable in mission but operates at much larger national scale as part of a broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Macular Degeneration Association: National nonprofit providing information, support, and research funding for macular degeneration patients. Comparable in mission focus, though smaller in scale and primarily patient-information oriented.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=rN3zogRSfwk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eyesight-foundation-of-alabama

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Eyesight Foundation of Alabama