What CharityVision does

CharityVision International is a Utah-based non-profit organization founded in 1987 (originally as Deseret International Foundation in Manila, Philippines, by Dr. Bill Jackson and Audrey Jackson) that restores curable sight impairment in underserved populations across 30+ countries in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The organization funds and coordinates cataract surgeries at $25 per procedure and prescription glasses at $10 per pair, delivered through a network of 230+ partner hospitals, clinics, and local NGOs that employ local physicians to ensure sustainability rather than flying in foreign doctors. Its core programs include the Cataract Surgery Program, the Glasses Donation Program, the SightBuddies school-based vision screening program (operating under the Spanish-language QuieroVer sub-brand in Latin America), the Equipment Donation Program (run through its CV Medical subsidiary, which operates a warehouse in Salt Lake City to acquire, sort, and ship eyeglass frames, lenses, and ophthalmic equipment globally), and Humanitarian Expeditions that bring supporters to witness field operations.

The business model is 100% donation-funded, with revenue streams including one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts (anchored at the $25-per-surgery framing), corporate partnerships (e.g., Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation, OneSight/EssilorLuxottica, Lions Club International, Stanton Optical), expedition fees, and equipment donations. CharityVision reaches beneficiaries through three primary distribution channels: partner clinics and hospitals, school-based SightBuddies screenings, and a growing set of directly-operated clinics (Clínica Oftalmológica CharityVision in Peru, Kenya Eye Clinic, CVT Eye Hospitals in Tanzania). The technology layer is intentionally lightweight — a Kindful-powered donation platform, a Squarespace website, and warehouse logistics for equipment — with no disclosed software product, API, or proprietary technology platform. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Director Doug Jackson (son of the founder, in the role since 2001), the organization rebranded from Deseret International Foundation to CharityVision in 2014 to focus exclusively on eye care, established CV Medical in 2015, crossed the 1-millionth surgery milestone in 2021, and continues to scale both partner-driven and direct-service delivery models.

Name

CharityVision

Legal name

CharityVision International

Website

https://charityvision.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CharityVision International is a Utah-based non-profit founded in 1987 that funds cataract surgeries ($25 each) and prescription glasses ($10 per pair) for underserved populations in 30+ countries, delivered through 230+ partner hospitals and a growing set of owned clinics, plus the SightBuddies school screening program for children.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Eye Care Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical Missions & Global Health NGOs (BPAGACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Cataract surgery sponsorship
• Prescription glasses donation
• School vision screening
• Ophthalmic equipment donation
• Humanitarian eye care

Headquarters

HQ city

Provo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: CharityVision operates as a 100% donation-funded nonprofit organization. Donations directly fund sight-restoring services including cataract surgeries ($25) and prescription glasses ($10). Monthly recurring donations are encouraged from supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CharityVision International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that restores curable sight impairment worldwide by funding cataract surgeries ($25 per surgery) and prescription glasses ($10 per pair) for underserved populations in 30 countries. Programs are delivered through a network of 230 partner clinics, hospitals, and NGOs, supplemented by the SightBuddies school vision screening program, an equipment donation pipeline (CV Medical warehouse), and humanitarian donor expeditions.

Product overview

CharityVision is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that operates as a portfolio of eye care programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include SightBuddies (school-based vision screening and glasses program for children), a Cataract Surgery Program ($25 surgery cost), a Glasses Donation Program ($10 per pair), and the Equipment Donation/CV Medical subsidiary. Additional programs include Humanitarian Expeditions and local Service & Volunteer Opportunities. The organization also operates regional variants like 'QuieroVer' for Latin America. Programs are delivered through partnerships with local hospitals, doctors, and clinics across 30 countries, with operations in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SightBuddies: Local eye screening program for children in need providing free or low-cost glasses and vision care to school-age children. Operates across 11 countries as of 2025.
• QuieroVer
• CV Medical

Products and services

• Cataract Surgery Program Funds and coordinates cataract surgeries performed by local partner doctors and clinics in 30 countries; priced at $25 per surgery to restore sight for individuals suffering from curable blindness.
• Glasses Donation Program Provides prescription glasses to individuals who cannot afford them at $10 per pair, enabling children and adults to receive vision correction through partner clinics and screening programs.
• SightBuddies School Screening Program School-based eye screening program that provides free or low-cost glasses and vision care to children in need; operates across 11 countries including the US, Indonesia, Pakistan, Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, and Dominican Republic, with Spanish-language variant "QuieroVer" in Latin America.
• CV Medical Equipment Donation Program Subsidiary-operated program that acquires, restores, sorts, and ships eyeglass frames, lenses, and ophthalmic equipment from the Salt Lake City warehouse to partner clinics and hospitals worldwide.
• Humanitarian Expeditions Travel programs that immerse donors and supporters in CharityVision's humanitarian work overseas, including participation in screenings, witnessing surgeries, and cultural experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 129,710 surgeries and 204,419 glasses donated in 2025 alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Nu Skin Force for Good FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner supporting vision programs in Colombia and other locations. Provides funding and support for school screening programs and eye care outreach.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch partnership supporting eye care programs including school screenings in El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and other countries. Provides volunteers, funding, and community connections.
• OneSight (EssilorLuxottica)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal vision charity providing frames, equipment, and support for school screening projects. Donates frames and clip-on glasses for accessibility programs.
• Stanton OpticalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partner providing optical equipment and support for vision programs.
• Lions Club InternationalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal service organization supporting eye care initiatives and fundraising for vision programs worldwide.
• Lions SightFirst Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor eye hospital partner in Kenya providing surgical and screening services.
• Kenya Society for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for eye care programs in Kenya, including new clinic development.
• FUDEM (Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner30-year partnership with El Salvador NGO providing low-cost to free vision care. Founded 1989, has helped 1.2 million children and conducted 67,000 surgeries.
• CECANOT (The Cardio Neuro Ophthalmological and Transplant Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment eye center in Dominican Republic performing ophthalmic surgeries for underserved patients.
• Fundación DenfíminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal foundation partner in Dominican Republic supporting eye care programs.
• Christian Rural Eye Sight Promotion (CRESP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Uganda providing eye health services to underserved communities.
• Gaf Eye Health FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUganda partner for eye health, collaborated on World Sight Day marathon and SightBuddies program.
• Ophthalmology Society of UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned partnership agreement to receive social patients monthly for eye care services.
• Masaka Regional Referral HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital partner in Uganda receiving surgical kits and equipment donations.
• CECOM (Centro Comunitario Oftalmológico Maranata)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity eye hospital in La Libertad, Peru providing surgical intervention.
• FON (Fundación Oftalmológica del Norte)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye foundation in Piura, Peru partner for surgical and screening services.
• LANSIERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOphthalmic laboratory in Peru that donated eye drops for vulnerable communities.
• Mabuhay Deseret FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilipino-led organization performing eye screenings, housing patients, and operating independently. Originally part of CharityVision, now grown to 30-person staff.
• Universidad del Sinú (UNISINU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in Colombia providing optometry students for screenings.
• Universidad El BosqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBogotá university providing optometry students for school screening programs.
• Claire VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye clinic in Haiti training community leaders and parents on eye impairments, improving accessibility nationwide.
• Zanmi Lasante (Partners in Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare NGO in Haiti providing eye care services.
• Children's Surgical Center - CambodiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTertiary teaching hospital providing free and low-cost surgeries for economically disadvantaged patients, especially landmine victims.
• Akhand Jyoti Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-volume specialty hospital in Bihar, India with capacity for 25,000+ operations yearly. 46 vision centers, 80% of surgeries provided free.
• Trilochan Netralaya Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor eye clinic in Odisha, India known for extensive outreach and vision care in eastern region.
• Arunodaya Deseret Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted partner hospital in New Delhi providing cataract surgeries and screenings since 1995.
• AIC Litein HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Kenya providing eye care services.
• CVT Eye HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharityVision Tanzania-owned eye hospitals in Dodoma and Kahama providing charitable care.
• Global Láser CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner clinic in Lima, Peru providing surgical intervention.
• Mubende Regional Referral HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital partner in Uganda.
• Jinja Regional Referral HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital partner in Uganda.
• Arua Regional Referral HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment hospital partner in Uganda.
• Doctors on Mission InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission organization providing eye care support in Uganda.
• Dodoma Regional HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic hospital partner in Tanzania providing charitable eye care.
• Ilembula Lutheran HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Tanzania providing eye care services.
• Bugando Medical CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical center partner in Tanzania.
• EssilormajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting school screening projects in Tanzania by donating frames and clip-in glasses.
• Vision SpringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Kenya supporting vision care accessibility.
• Kabul University of Medical Sciences (Dr. Shir)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical university partner in Afghanistan training 15 ophthalmology residents. Dr. Shir provides cataract supplies, equipment, and training.
• Colombian Armed ForcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary partner in Colombia supporting eye care programs.
• BC Baby Care (Mr. Sujandi)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Indonesia supporting vision programs.
• Education Department of Solo CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment education partner in Indonesia for school screenings.
• Ministry of Religion of Central JavaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in Indonesia supporting vision programs.
• Grace Children HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's hospital partner in Haiti.
• General Hospital of Port-au-Prince (HUEH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain government hospital in Haiti providing eye care.
• Brenda Strafford Foundation HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational foundation supporting hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti.
• Kibosho District HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Tanzania.
• Mawenzi Regional HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Tanzania.
• Sokoine Regional HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Tanzania.
• Mbeya Regional HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Tanzania.
• Iringa Regional HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Tanzania.
• Kolandoto Lutheran HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partner in Tanzania.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sightsavers: International NGO focused on preventing avoidable blindness and supporting people with visual impairments in low- and middle-income countries, with overlapping cataract surgery and school screening program models across Africa and Asia.
• RestoringVision: Nonprofit that distributes reading glasses and sunglasses globally to people in low-income communities through NGO and partner networks—an analogous 'low-cost unit-pricing glasses' model to CharityVision's $10 program.
• VisionSpring: Social enterprise providing affordable eyeglasses to people living on low incomes in developing countries; CharityVision already lists VisionSpring as a partner in Kenya, indicating clear overlap in last-mile vision distribution.
• Warby Parker Foundation: For-profit founded 'Buy a Pair, Give a Pair' style eyewear philanthropy that funds vision care and glasses distribution in underserved regions—comparable outcome focus and donor-funded mission overlap.
• Himalayan Cataract Project / CureBlindness: Focused on restoring sight through high-volume cataract surgery in underserved regions, with similar partner-network delivery and emphasis on training local ophthalmologists.
• FUDEM (Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer): El Salvadorian NGO and CharityVision's 30-year core partner providing low-cost and free vision care—directly comparable community-based cataract and screening service model in Latin America.
• Orbis International: Global eye health nonprofit that partners with local hospitals and clinicians to deliver training, surgeries, and screenings—an almost identical 'empower local providers' delivery model to CharityVision's.
• OneSight (EssilorLuxottica Foundation): Global nonprofit affiliated with EssilorLuxottica that funds and operates sustainable vision care access programs, including school-based screenings and glasses distribution in underserved communities—directly overlapping CharityVision's SightBuddies and glasses donation missions.

Broad incumbents

• Partners in Health: Major global health NGO that delivers comprehensive care in resource-poor settings; CharityVision partners with its Haiti affiliate Zanmi Lasante, indicating overlapping care delivery and partner-network style.
• Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF): The global service organization's charitable arm, which funds large-scale vision initiatives (including SightFirst) and operates in many of the same geographies as CharityVision, partly as both funder and adjacent program operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ColombiaCharityVision
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charityvision

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 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 CharityVision