Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation

What Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation does

Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1959 and headquartered at 1010 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, Oregon. Operating as the nonprofit arm of Lions Clubs of Oregon and Northern California (MD-36, 146 clubs and 3,500+ volunteers), OLSHF screens, treats, saves, and restores sight and hearing for more than 200,000 children and adults annually across Oregon and Northern California. The foundation runs an integrated program portfolio including School Vision Screening (SVS, using Welch Allyn Spot devices at 900+ school events per year), the LEAP Lab optical finishing lab producing subsidized eyewear ($40-60), the ROAR! Hearing Assistance Program (subsidized hearing aids at $200-400), the Lions Low Vision Clinic (serving approximately 130 children annually), the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (one of 18 worldwide, processing 100,000+ eyeglasses annually), the KEX Kids Fund, the Patient Care Program including Mission Cataract surgeries, and the LEAP Forward Internship workforce development program. OLSHF also operates Eye Promise Optical, a for-profit retail social enterprise whose proceeds fund programs.

OLSHF generates revenue through a diversified mix of individual donations (including the PRIDE monthly giving program and planned giving), foundation and government grants (Oregon Department of Education, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Autzen Foundation, Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, Oregon Community Foundation), corporate event sponsorships (notably the Applied Underwriters Invitational Golf Classic), and program service fees from subsidized eyewear and hearing aid sales. Critically, in-kind product partnerships with Phonak, ReSound, and Starkey deliver 86-94% subsidies on hearing aid MSRP ($2,310-$2,895), and Europa Eyewear donates frames, materially reducing program costs. GTM is community-led: Lions Clubs identify community members in need, facilitate referrals, and volunteer at screening events; the foundation coordinates statewide through regional School Vision Screening Events Coordinators and a network of 200+ vision and hearing professionals including Casey Eye Institute (OHSU), Legacy Devers Eye Institute, EyeHealth Northwest, and Pacific University. Annual fundraising events (Golf Classic, Blooms & Brunch Gala, Shamrock Run, Lions Follies, raffles, KTP Days) supplement donations. The organization holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, BBB Accredited Charity status, and Charity Navigator listing.

Name

Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation

Legal name

Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation

Website

https://olshf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1959, that provides subsidized vision and hearing screenings, eyewear, hearing aids, and surgeries to more than 200,000 low-income children and adults annually across Oregon and Northern California in partnership with 146 Lions Clubs and a network of 200+ healthcare providers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Vision and Hearing Services

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Optometrists (621320)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ), Health Screening & Preventive Care Programs (Vision/Hearing/Immunization) (EDACAMAJ), Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)

Keywords

• Vision screening services
• Hearing assistance programs
• Low-cost eyewear
• Recycled eyeglasses distribution
• Community eye care

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Contributions: Monetary donations from individuals through the website, monthly PRIDE program giving, planned giving/bequests, and stock donations. Donations can be directed to specific programs.
2. Event Sponsorships & Fundraising: Corporate sponsorships for annual events including Golf Classic, Blooms & Brunch Gala, Shamrock Run, Lions Follies, and raffles. Event registration fees and auction items.
3. Foundation & Government Grants: Grants from Oregon Department of Education for School Vision Screening, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, and various tribal charitable funds.
4. Program Service Fees: Low-cost fees for eyeglasses ($40 single vision, $50 bifocals, $60 trifocals) and hearing aids ($200 per aid, $400 for two). Also includes fees for Eye Promise Optical retail shop proceeds supporting operations.
5. In-Kind Donations & Product Partnerships: Partnerships with hearing aid manufacturers (Phonak, ReSound, Starkey) provide in-kind donations of approximately 86-94% per device. Eyeglass frame donations from Europa Eyewear. These partnerships reduce program costs significantly.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

OLSHF screens, treats, saves, and restores sight and hearing in partnership with Lions Clubs across Oregon and Northern California. The foundation delivers subsidized vision screenings, low-cost eyeglasses and hearing aids, sight-saving surgeries, pediatric low vision care, and eyeglass recycling services to over 200,000 children and adults annually who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Product overview

OLSHF operates a multi-program platform addressing vision and hearing needs across Oregon and Northern California. The core offerings include: School Vision Screening (SVS) using Welch Allyn Spot devices to screen 195,000+ students annually; the LEAP Lab providing low-cost eyewear ($40-60); ROAR! Hearing Assistance Program offering hearing aids at $200-400; Lions Low Vision Clinic serving 130 children yearly; Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (LERC) distributing 100,000+ glasses globally; KEX Kids Fund supporting uninsured children; Patient Care Program including Mission Cataract free surgeries; LEAP Forward Internship for workforce development; and PRIDE monthly giving program. Eye Promise Optical is a related retail social enterprise. The programs are interconnected: LERC collects glasses for global missions, LEAP Lab produces eyewear locally, SVS identifies students who may need KEX or other services, and ROAR provides hearing aids. The organization partners with over 200 vision and hearing providers statewide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eye Promise Optical: For-profit optical shop where all proceeds support OLSHF's sight and hearing programs.
• PRIDE Program
• SVS
• LEAP
• ROAR!
• LVC
• LERC
• KEX Kids Fund
• Patient Care Program

Products and services

• School Vision Screening (SVS) Statewide school-based pediatric vision screening program using Welch Allyn Spot vision screeners to detect eight vision issues in children in seconds. Conducts 900+ on-site screening events annually across Oregon K-8 schools, with an average 18.9% referral rate, connecting approximately 36,000 referred students annually to follow-up care.
• LEAP Lab (Lions Eyeglass Assistance Program Lab) State-of-the-art charitable optical finishing lab producing high-quality, low-cost prescription eyewear for adults and children in need. Priced at $40 for single vision, $50 for lined bifocals, and $60 for lined trifocals, all frames include a one-year warranty. Available to individuals at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level without vision coverage.
• ROAR! Hearing Assistance Program
• Lions Low Vision Clinic (LVC) Pediatric low vision clinic providing comprehensive low vision exams for approximately 130 children annually. Dr. J.P. Lowery from Pacific University travels throughout Oregon to provide evaluations and prescribe low vision aids such as monocular telescopes for distance and magnifiers for close reading. Partnership with Pacific University began in 1995.
• Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (LERC)
• KEX Kids Fund Program providing free comprehensive eye exams, eyeglasses, and hearing aids to children under 21 enrolled in school who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and do not have vision insurance. Funded by the KEX Kids Fund for 14+ years in partnership with KEX 1190 AM radio station.
• Patient Care Program
• LEAP Forward Internship Program Workforce development internship program for women in Coffee Creek Correctional Facility's Paraoptometric Training and Eyeglass Recycling Program, providing mentorship, career development, and optical training to bridge the gap between incarceration and careers in optics.
• PRIDE Program (Monthly Recurring Donor Program)
• Eye Promise Optical

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ children and adults receive vision/hearing services annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Pacific University - School of Audiology / Pacific Ear CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Since 2023, Pacific EarClinic staff have been offering hearing healthcare to ROAR! Hearing Assistance Program clients with compassion and expertise.
• ReSound Hearing AidscoreOthers · 1 January 2023Since 2023, through ReSound OLSHF offers brand new rechargeable RIC hearing aids, BTEs, and custom ITEs. With average MSRP of $2,310 per hearing aid, this translates to approximately 86% in-kind donation per device.
• Phonak Hearing AidscoreOthers · 1 January 2021Partner since 2021, Phonak provides high quality custom ITE hearing aids. With average MSRP of $2,775 per hearing aid, their support translates to approximately 94% in-kind donation for each device.
• Starkey Hearing TechnologiescoreOthers · 1 January 2017Since 2017, Starkey has been integral to ROAR! Program allowing eligible clients access to brand new hearing aids instead of refurbished. With average MSRP of $2,895 per hearing aid, this results in approximately 93% in-kind donation per device.
• Oregon Vision CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016The OVC, formed with OLSHF in 2016, is committed to supporting a comprehensive approach to meeting the eye health needs of the state of Oregon.
• Oregon School Nurses AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Since 2014, OLSHF and OSNA have worked together to bring high quality objective vision screening to K-8th grade students. School nurses provide valuable support to statewide screening program.
• EyeHealth NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Since 2011, their doctors have provided discounted or donated surgeries and treatments for Patient Care and Mission Cataract Programs.
• Casey Eye Clinic OHSUcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Major eye care partner since 2010, participating in CEI clinic events around the state. Provides comprehensive eye care and surgical services for OLSHF patients.
• Gateway Hearing Aid CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2008Since 2008, partnered with over 18 Lions Clubs to provide low cost hearing exams and aids. Together they have helped thousands of Oregonians.
• Oregon Eye SpecialistscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Since 2008, their doctors have donated time and expertise to support Mission Cataract Program clients.
• Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Since 2001, OLSHF has partnered with CCCF's Paraoptometric Program. 30 women adults in custody clean, calibrate, repair and sort donated eyeglasses as part of the recycling program.
• Pacific University - Blind Visually Impaired Student FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Since 1995, partnered with Dr. JP Lowery of their School of Optometry to provide comprehensive exams and vision aids through Lions Low Vision Clinic statewide.
• Legacy Devers Eye InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1959OLSHF's first partner since 1959. Together they provide vision care resources including eye exams, eyeglasses, surgeries and treatments for Oregonians in need, including corneal cross-linking and iris implants.
• Lions Clubs InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1959Since founding of OLSHF in 1959, partnered with LCI and Lions of Oregon to fulfill mission. Recipients of grants from LCI Foundation since 2000.
• Lions of Oregon & Northern California (MD-36)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1959MD-36 Lions have partnered with OLSHF since 1959 founding. Lions help identify community needs, serve as Sight & Hearing Chairs, volunteer at screenings, and support through donations and fundraising.
• Oregon Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerODE partners with OLSHF for the statewide School Vision Screening program, helping cover a portion of each screening.
• Oregon Optometric Physicians AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOregon Optometric Physicians provide vision and medical eye health care to children referred from OLSHF screenings. Partnership has strengthened referral systems to ensure follow-up care.
• Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute (PCLI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 25 years, PCLI has provided many low cost cataract surgeries for Oregonians in need at Portland, Kennewick and Tualatin locations.
• Retina Vitreous CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRVC has been a pivotal partner in Southern Oregon for retinal care including low cost surgeries and treatments for over 20 years.
• Applied Underwriters InvitationalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of annual Golf Classic. The Applied Underwriters Invitational is The #1 Charity Event in Golf, raising over $276 million for charities since inception.
• Vision To LearncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVision To Learn has partnered with OLSHF to provide free vision screenings, exams, and eyeglasses to children in high-need, low-income communities.
• Eye Promise OpticalmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFor-profit optical shop supporting OLSHF. All proceeds from Eye Promise Optical go directly to OLSHF's sight and hearing programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• OneSight: National nonprofit operating both US-based vision centers and global vision clinics providing free eyeglasses and eye care. Comparable as a broader-incumbent charitable vision-care platform than OLSHF's regional model.
• Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF): Lions Clubs International's charitable arm and OLSHF's primary international grantor since 2000. Comparable as a Lions-affiliated sight and hearing funder operating at global scope rather than state scope.

Direct peers

• New Eyes for the Needy: Nonprofit that purchases new eyeglasses for low-income individuals in the US. Directly comparable to OLSHF's LEAP Lab eyeglass assistance program with similar mission, eligibility screening, and voucher-based distribution model.
• Mission Cataract USA: National nonprofit coordinating free cataract surgery for uninsured, low-income patients. Directly comparable to OLSHF's Mission Cataract component within its Patient Care Program and shares the donated-surgeon-time model.
• Starkey Hearing Foundation: National nonprofit providing free hearing aids to low-income Americans and global hearing missions. Directly comparable to OLSHF's ROAR! program and shares the same manufacturer-sponsor model (Starkey is also an OLSHF partner).
• Vision To Learn: National nonprofit providing free vision screenings, eye exams, and eyeglasses to students in low-income communities. Directly comparable to OLSHF's School Vision Screening and KEX Kids Fund programs and is already an OLSHF partner.
• Prevent Blindness: National volunteer-driven eye health and safety nonprofit focused on vision screening, public education, and advocacy. Comparable to OLSHF's screening and community education mission though operating at national scope rather than regional.

Emerging players

• SightLife: Seattle-based nonprofit eye bank and cornea restoration organization. Adjacent to OLSHF's Patient Care Program which relies on corneal cross-linking and other surgical interventions, and overlapping in Pacific Northwest geography.
• HearCare Connection: Nonprofit providing low-cost hearing aids and hearing healthcare to underserved populations. Comparable to OLSHF's ROAR! Hearing Assistance Program but operating primarily in the Midwest.

Others

• Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research: Lions-affiliated eye bank providing ocular tissue for transplant and research. Adjacent ecosystem participant to OLSHF's Patient Care Program and LERC eyeglass recycling rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/olshf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/olshf
• Instagraminstagram.com/olshf
• Xx.com/olshf_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation