half Helen
half Helen is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free vision screenings, eye exams, and prescription glasses to low-income children via Title I school partnerships and to uninsured/Medicaid adults through FQHC referrals, operating mobile clinics and a brick-and-mortar clinic across Central Texas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What half Helen does
half Helen Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 by Chelsea Elliott in Austin, Texas, that provides vision, hearing, and spinal screenings, comprehensive eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses to underserved children and adults across Central Texas (Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties). The organization has screened more than 68,000 low-income children since inception and maintains active partnerships with 69 schools, multiple federally qualified health centers (CommUnityCare, People's Community Clinic, Lone Star Circle of Care), and Central Health. Its core products are swift Screen — a proprietary mobile app and web dashboard that integrates with the Spot Vision Screener, cuts screening time by 56%, and is licensed externally (Fort Worth ISD, 90 schools) — Optical Prime (a 32-foot mobile tiny-house clinic with two exam lanes, launched 2021 with a second unit in 2023), and the half Helen Eye Clinic, a brick-and-mortar clinic opened in 2024 at 7801 N Lamar Blvd in Austin. The 2025 School Day Clinic model transports students directly from campuses to the clinic during school hours, and a Warby Parker Pupils Project partnership provides backup pairs of glasses to students.
half Helen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- half Helen
- Legal name
- half Helen Foundation
- Website
- https://halfhelen.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- half Helen is an Austin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free vision screenings, eye exams, and prescription glasses to low-income children via Title I school partnerships and to uninsured/Medicaid adults through FQHC referrals, operating mobile clinics and a brick-and-mortar clinic across Central Texas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
half Helen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pediatric Vision Care Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Optometrists (62132), Outpatient Care Centers (6214), Offices of Optometrists (621320)
- SIC
- Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Health Screening & Preventive Care Programs (Vision/Hearing/Immunization) (EDACAMAJ)
Keywords
Where half Helen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
half Helen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: half Helen is a nonprofit organization that relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. They have a Giving Circle with $100/month membership and accept one-time donations.
- Healthcare Service Revenue: Revenue generated from providing eye exams to adults who have Medicaid or are served through partner health centers. half Helen accepts medical insurance including Aetna, Amerigroup, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and others.
- Software Licensing (swift Screen): half Helen licenses their proprietary swift Screen software to other school districts, generating revenue to support their pediatric vision care program. Fort Worth ISD was their first external licensee.
- Fundraising Events: Annual events such as Jukebox Bingo fundraiser and other community events that generate donations and sponsorships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free services for children ages 4-17 or enrolled in secondary school |
| Other | Other | Adult eligibility-based free/reduced services |
| Subscription | Monthly | Giving Circle membership at $100/month |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
half Helen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
half Helen provides free pediatric vision and hearing screenings at partner schools, followed by comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses delivered through mobile clinics (Optical Prime) and a brick-and-mortar clinic. The organization also screens and treats uninsured and Medicaid adults referred through federally qualified health centers and licenses its proprietary swift Screen screening software to other school districts.
Product overview
half Helen is a nonprofit organization offering a multi-channel vision care portfolio. The core offerings include swift Screen (a mobile app and web dashboard for school vision/hearing screenings), Optical Prime (a 32-foot mobile tiny house eye clinic with two exam lanes), and the half Helen Eye Clinic (brick-and-mortar location). These products work together: swift Screen identifies students needing care during school screenings, then Optical Prime and the brick-and-mortar clinic provide comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses. Programs include Vision Field Trips and School Day Clinic (launched Fall 2025) for pediatric care, and community-based adult services. A partnership with Warby Parker's Pupils Project provides backup glasses to students.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Swift Screen: Mobile app and data dashboard for vision and hearing screening that reduces screening process time by 56%.
- Optical Prime
- Vision Field Trips
Products and services
- swift Screen Mobile application (iPad and Android) and web-based dashboard for school vision and hearing screenings. Screeners input results at the point of screening, view results, email/print referral letters, and export data to Student Information Systems. Integrates with the Spot Vision Screener hardware to deliver comprehensive results to parents. Reduces screening process time by 56%. Licensed to external school districts such as Fort Worth ISD (90 schools).
- Optical Prime A 32-foot mobile tiny-house eye clinic with two exam lanes that travels to schools and community health center sites to provide comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses directly to underserved populations across Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. Capacity for two licensed optometrists serving up to 7,000 children and adults annually. Houses a Marco 610 micro refraction workstation and Spot Vision Screener.
- half Helen Eye Clinic (Brick and Mortar) Permanent eye clinic at 7801 N Lamar Blvd Suite D 80, Austin, TX providing comprehensive eye exams, diabetic eye care, advanced diagnostic testing, prescription glasses, and contact lenses. Serves both children (via school transport) and adults. Accepts Aetna, Amerigroup, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Central Health, Dell Children's Health Plan, MAP, MAP Basic, Star, Star Plus, Star Kids, Superior Health Plan, EyeMed, Envolve Vision, and Superior Vision. Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm (closed 1:15-1:45 for lunch).
- Optical Prime Jr Pop-up clinic version launched in Fall 2019 as the initial step in providing eye care and prescription glasses to children in need, preceding the full mobile tiny-house clinic (Optical Prime).
- Vision Field Trips Program that partners with local schools to bus students directly to the half Helen Eye Clinic during the school day for comprehensive eye exams and personalized care from the clinical team.
- School Day Clinic Service model launched Fall 2025 where students are transported from their campus to the half Helen Eye Clinic during the school day to receive comprehensive eye care, replacing the mobile clinic model for pediatric services.
- Community Vision Program (Adult Services) Program funded by St. David's Foundation and administered through CommUnityCare Health Centers that provides free or insurance-covered eye exams and prescription glasses to uninsured adults referred through partner FQHCs (CommUnityCare, People's Community Clinic, Lone Star Circle of Care, Volunteer Health Clinic, Project Access, HAAM, Vivent Health), Medicaid enrollees, and uninsured adults with a primary care physician at an FQHC or nonprofit health center.
Quantifiable outcome
- Screened over 68,000 low-income children since 2013
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use half Helen
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
half Helen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
half Helen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Warby Parker Pupils Projectcorehalf Helen is a partner of Warby Parker's Pupils Project, a program dedicated to expanding access to vision care for school-aged children. Through this partnership, students who receive glasses from half Helen also have the opportunity to choose a second pair from Warby Parker, ensuring they always have a backup at home or school.
- uShipminoruShip renewed their support by sponsoring half Helen's 8th Birthday Party and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Optical Prime. uShip's charitable arm, uShip Gives, empowers employees to support passion projects in the Austin community.
- West Austin Lions ClubcoreThe West Austin Lions Club is one of half Helen's longest supporters. Lions are best known for fighting blindness through vision screenings, and it was at a Lions Club meeting that Chelsea Elliott was first introduced to the Spot Vision Screener. The Lions Club has provided ongoing sponsorship and support for half Helen programs.
- John King ConstructioncoreJohn King Construction donated labor and project management for building Optical Prime. They specialize in making clients' dreams come true, building the 32-foot tiny house on a custom-made trailer.
- HCB HealthcoreHCB Health, Austin's premier healthcare marketing company, designed the exterior wrap for Optical Prime pro bono. Kerry Hilton, co-founder, was also the creator of the half Helen logo.
- Chupik DesignscoreChupik Designs is solely responsible for aesthetically defining the patient experience aboard Optical Prime. They partnered with Small House Solutions to develop the clinic as a tiny house on wheels.
- Covert FordcoreCovert Ford helped secure the Ford F350 truck needed to tow Optical Prime. They have been ongoing supporters, also helping find a cargo van for Optical Prime Jr.
- CommUnityCare Health CenterscoreCommUnityCare administers the Community Vision Program funded by St. David's Foundation. half Helen serves as the exclusive provider of eye exams and glasses for uninsured adults in the program. half Helen became an approved eye care provider of the Community Vision Program.
- People's Community ClinicminorPartner health center that refers adult patients to half Helen for eye care services through the Community Vision Program.
- Lone Star Circle of CareminorPartner health center that refers adult patients to half Helen for eye care services.
- Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM)minorPartner organization that refers adult patients to half Helen for eye care services.
- Modern OpticalcoreModern Optical provides the frame collection for half Helen's eyewear. Students choose from 200+ frame options for their prescription glasses.
- Fort Worth ISDminorFort Worth ISD became the first school district outside of Austin to license swift Screen. School nurses for 90 schools completed training and began using the platform.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
half Helen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- VisionSpring: Social enterprise that provides affordable eyeglasses to low-income populations in the US and developing countries. Comparable in addressing vision care access barriers, though more focused on affordability than mobile-clinic delivery.
- New Eyes for the Needy: Nonprofit that purchases new prescription eyeglasses for children and adults in financial need across the US. Comparable in free-eyewear mission and service to low-income populations, though operates via voucher rather than direct clinic model.
- Vision To Learn: National nonprofit that provides free eye exams and glasses to students in underserved schools via mobile clinics. Most directly comparable to half Helen in mission, mobile clinic model, and target population of low-income K-12 children.
- Prevent Blindness: National nonprofit focused on preventing blindness and preserving sight through screening, advocacy, and education. Comparable in mission scope, pediatric vision screening programs, and policy advocacy similar to half Helen's HB 3157 work.
- VOSH International: Volunteer optometric services organization that connects optometrists with humanitarian missions to provide free vision care. Comparable in mobilizing optometric clinical capacity for underserved populations.
- Kids Vision for Life: Mobile clinic nonprofit providing free vision screenings, exams, and glasses to underserved children across multiple US cities. Operates a similar mobile-clinic school-based model and serves a comparable population of low-income K-12 students.
- OneSight: Nonprofit affiliated with EssilorLuxottica that provides free vision care and glasses to underserved communities globally. Comparable in mission, school-based screening programs, and free eyeglasses distribution model.
Others
- Helen Keller International: Global nonprofit named for Helen Keller that addresses preventable blindness and vision disorders. Mission-aligned and organizationally referenced by half Helen's name, though focused on international public health programs rather than direct US clinical care.
Emerging players
- Warby Parker (Pupils Project): Direct-to-consumer eyewear retailer with a social impact program (Pupils Project) that provides free glasses and vision screenings to schoolchildren. half Helen is an existing partner through this program, with overlapping target populations and mission alignment.
Broad incumbents
- EssilorLuxottica (parent of OneSight): Global eyewear and lens conglomerate that operates OneSight and major retail brands. Serves as a broad incumbent with adjacent philanthropic vision-care programs, comparable in eyewear supply chain and free-glasses distribution but at vastly larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
half Helen social profiles
Digital presencehalf Helen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
half Helen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
half Helen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
half Helen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about half Helen
What does half Helen do?
half Helen provides free pediatric vision and hearing screenings at partner schools, followed by comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses delivered through mobile clinics (Optical Prime) and a brick-and-mortar clinic. The organization also screens and treats uninsured and Medicaid adults referred through federally qualified health centers and licenses its proprietary swift Screen screening software to other school districts.
Is half Helen a public or private company?
half Helen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was half Helen founded?
half Helen was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is half Helen based?
half Helen is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does half Helen make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are healthcare Service Revenue, software Licensing (swift Screen) and fundraising Events.
Who are half Helen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are VisionSpring, New Eyes for the Needy, Vision To Learn, Prevent Blindness, VOSH International, Kids Vision for Life and OneSight. Helen Keller International is listed as an others. Warby Parker (Pupils Project) is listed as an emerging player. EssilorLuxottica (parent of OneSight) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does half Helen have an API?
No public API is recorded for half Helen.
What industry is half Helen in?
half Helen's product category is Pediatric Vision Care Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAA, Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care, with a secondary code of HLAKAKAB, Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care). Its NAICS code is 62132 and its SIC code is 8093.