CBM Italia Onlus

What CBM Italia Onlus does

CBM Italia ETS (also known as CBM Italia Onlus) is an Italian non-profit charitable organization headquartered in Milan at Via Melchiorre Gioia 72, founded in 2008 as an autonomous entity within the broader CBM International family. Its mission centers on breaking the cycle of poverty and disability through eye health, inclusive education, economic inclusion, and rights-based programs. The organization operates 41 projects across 12 partner countries (including Ethiopia, Uganda, Niger, Zambia, South Sudan, Malawi, Paraguay, Bolivia, and India) and 14 projects in Italy and Europe, reaching over 902,198 people. Core interventions include prevention and treatment of cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and refractive errors, alongside distance sponsorship (Sostegno a distanza), inclusive schools programs (Cambiamo sguardo, Solo Due Passi), and EU-co-financed rights projects (KEEP Driven, WYDE.EU, CARE-INT).

The business model is donation-driven with no commercial product sales or proprietary technology platform. Revenue streams comprise individual one-time and recurring donations (the 'Conta su di me' monthly program), the Italian 5x1000 tax designation (C.F. 97 299 520 151), the Solidarity Shop (e-commerce for greeting cards, bomboniere, and gift items), testamentary bequests, corporate partnerships, and institutional co-financing from EU Erasmus+, CERV, DCI, and EU trust funds via AICS. The organization reports that 81% of funds are directed to projects and awareness activities. Go-to-market is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer via website, email newsletter, podcast (Criptonite), social media, events (Death Cafè, Blind Date concerto al buio), and school programs, with event-driven activation around EU project launches and tax-designation campaigns.

The underlying technology is a standard non-profit web platform (cbmitalia.org) supporting donations, e-commerce, content publishing, and newsletter management; no proprietary software, AI, or data products are described. Operationally, CBM Italia implements projects through consortiums of national disability organizations (e.g., European Disability Forum, LEDHA, APF France handicap, SUSTENTO) and local field partners (e.g., Fundacion Vision in Paraguay, CISP in Niger), with financial oversight from AICS and the European Commission.

Name

CBM Italia Onlus

Legal name

CBM Italia ETS

Website

https://cbmitalia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CBM Italia ETS is an Italian non-profit charitable organization delivering eye health, disability inclusion, and community-based rehabilitation programs across 12 partner countries and Italy, funded through individual donations, 5x1000 tax designations, EU co-financing, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Disability Inclusion Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights, Social Inclusion & Disability Inclusion (BPAGABAN)

Keywords

• Disability inclusion services
• Blindness prevention programs
• Eye health nonprofit
• Community based rehabilitation
• Humanitarian aid organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Milano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations (One-time and Recurring): CBM Italia raises funds through single donations, monthly recurring donations (Conta su di me), and distance support (sostegno a distanza) programs. These are the primary revenue streams for project funding.
2. 5x1000 Tax Designation: Italian taxpayers can designate 5 per mille of their income tax to CBM Italia (C.F. 97 299 520 151). This is a significant public funding stream.
3. Solidarity Shop (Shop Solidale): CBM Italia sells solidarity greeting cards (cartoline solidali), bomboniere solidali, and regali solidali (gift cards), generating revenue through e-commerce.
4. Legacies and Testamentary Donations: CBM Italia receives testamentary bequests (testamento solidale) and in-memory donations (donazione in memoria).
5. Corporate Partnerships: Companies can become corporate partners (azienda partner) or fundraisers, contributing to campaigns and projects.
6. EU Project Co-financing: CBM Italia receives co-financing from the European Union through Erasmus+, CERV, DCI, and EU trust funds for specific international development and inclusion projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CBM Italia Onlus is an Italian non-profit (ETS) that prevents and treats blindness and visual disabilities in developing countries through medical, educational, and rehabilitation projects. It operates 41 international projects across 12 partner countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, and runs 14 inclusion and awareness projects in Italy and Europe. The organization funds its mission through individual donations, recurring giving, the Italian 5x1000 tax designation, corporate partnerships, EU co-financing, and an online solidarity shop selling greeting cards and gift items.

Product overview

CBM Italia Onlus is a nonprofit organization (ETS - Ente del Terzo Settore) operating as a charitable association for blind and disabled children. The organization's core offering consists of international development programs focused on blindness prevention and visual disability treatment in 12 partner countries, combined with inclusion and awareness-raising programs in Italy. Key program areas include: Cecità e Disabilità Visive (eye health and blindness prevention covering cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, retinoblastoma), Progetti nel Mondo (international projects), Progetti in Italia (Italian inclusion projects), Sensibilizzazione (awareness and educational programs), Emergenza (humanitarian emergencies), and Sostegno a Distanza (child sponsorship). The organization also operates a Solidarity Shop, a podcast called Criptonite, manages the Italian 5x1000 tax designation campaign, and coordinates European projects including KEEP Driven, WYDE.EU, CARE-INT, and Solo Due Passi focused on disability rights and inclusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Donation Platform Primary digital platform enabling online one-time and recurring donations, project information, newsletter subscription, and engagement with CBM Italia's charitable mission for blind and disabled children.
• Sostegno a Distanza (Distance Sponsorship) Child sponsorship program supporting individual blind or disabled children, with donations benefiting the child and their community.
• Shop Solidale (Solidarity Shop) Online shop selling solidarity products including cartoline solidali (greeting cards), bomboniere solidali (wedding/baptism favors), and regali solidali (gift items) for Italian consumers.
• 5x1000 Tax Designation Campaign Italian tax designation program (C.F. 97 299 520 151) allowing taxpayers to allocate 0.5% of their income tax to CBM Italia.
• Testamento Solidale (Legacy Giving) Program enabling Italian donors to leave testamentary bequests to CBM Italia, including in-memory donations.
• Eye Health and Blindness Prevention Programs Prevention and treatment programs for eye diseases including cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, refractive errors, and retinoblastoma in 12 partner countries.
• Corporate Partnership Program (Azienda Partner) Program enabling Italian companies to become corporate partners or fundraisers, contributing to campaigns and projects as part of CSR initiatives.
• Cambiamo Sguardo (School Educational Program) Free educational project for Italian schools from infanzia to secondaria di secondo grado, focused on children's rights and disability inclusion through didactic materials and classroom activities.
• Solo Due Passi (Just Two Steps Inclusive Schools Project) School inclusion project making educational environments more inclusive and accessible for children with and without disabilities, implemented in Italy and Hungary.
• KEEP Driven Project European project promoting knowledge, leadership, and participation of young people with disabilities in democracy and civic life, implemented in Italy, France, Latvia, and Belgium.
• WYDE.EU Project European project empowering young women with disabilities to actively participate in democratic, civic, and political life of the EU, implemented in Italy, Serbia, Netherlands, and Lithuania.
• CARE-INT Project Project equipping future care professionals to tackle intersectional discrimination and violence against women with disabilities, implemented in Italy and Netherlands.
• Criptonite Podcast Podcast series exploring disability, inclusion, and society through conversations with experts, people with disabilities, and cultural figures.
• Blind Date - Concerto al Buio Concert in the dark awareness event designed to engage the Italian public on blindness and visual disability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 902,198 people reached in partner countries through 41 projects
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JongPIT (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Dutch organization, partner in WYDE.EU project promoting active participation of young women with disabilities in European democratic life.
• LNF (Lithuania)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Lithuanian organization, partner in WYDE.EU project focused on young women with disabilities empowerment.
• NOOIS (Serbia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Serbian organization, partner in WYDE.EU project across Italy, Serbia, Netherlands, and Lithuania.
• ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026European local democracy association, partner in WYDE.EU project, contributing to the European democratic engagement of young women with disabilities.
• FAI (Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2025Italian Environmental Fund, partnered with CBM Italia in an alliance to combat trachoma in Ethiopia.
• Fondazione LibellulacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Italian foundation, partner in CARE-INT project (co-financed by EU Erasmus+) to tackle intersectional discrimination and violence against women with disabilities.
• Fondazione IREA Morini PedrinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Italian foundation, partner in CARE-INT project focused on equipping future care professionals.
• Koning Willem I College (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Dutch vocational college, partner in CARE-INT project in Italy and Netherlands, providing training for future care professionals.
• European Disability Forum (EDF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024International disability rights organization, partner in the KEEP Driven project co-financed by the EU Erasmus+ program, focused on promoting knowledge, leadership and participation of young people with disabilities.
• Association APF France handicap (France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024French disability rights organization, partner in KEEP Driven project alongside CBM Italia, LEDHA, and SUSTENTO.
• Lega per i diritti delle persone con disabilità (LEDHA, Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Italian disability rights organization (CBM Italia's national counterpart in KEEP Driven project).
• Latvijas Cilvēku ar īpašām vajadzībām sadarbības organizācija (SUSTENTO, Latvia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Latvian disability rights organization, partner in KEEP Driven project.
• Fondazione Istituto dei Sordi di Torino ONLUScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Italian foundation for deaf persons, partner in Solo Due Passi (Just Two Steps) project alongside CBM Italia and Scuola per Ciechi di Budapest.
• Scuola per Ciechi di BudapestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024School for the blind in Budapest, Hungary, partner in Solo Due Passi inclusive schools project.
• Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli (CISP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 June 2020Italian NGO and project lead (capofila) of the Urbanisation 4 Change project in Niger, co-implemented by CBM Italia and funded by EU trust fund through AICS.
• Fundacion Vision (Paraguay)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2018Only organization in Paraguay with a RET CAM machine for treating retinopathy of prematurity. CBM Italia's local partner for eye care projects in Paraguay.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CBM International (CBM Global Disability Inclusion): The parent/related global federation that CBM Italia is part of, sharing the same mission of preventing blindness and promoting disability inclusion across developing countries. Operates a wider network of member associations globally and is the closest peer in mission, programs, and donor base.
• Orbis International: Global eye health nonprofit operating the Flying Eye Hospital and long-term country programs focused on cataract, trachoma, and pediatric eye conditions — directly comparable to CBM Italia's blindness prevention portfolio and similarly dependent on individual donations and corporate partnerships.
• Helen Keller International: International NGO combating blindness (trachoma, onchocerciasis, cataract) and addressing malnutrition, working in low-income countries with similar programmatic depth and donor-supported model to CBM Italia.
• Sightsavers: An international NGO focused on preventing avoidable blindness, promoting equality for people with disabilities, and advocating for disability rights — directly overlapping CBM Italia's core eye health and disability inclusion mandate across Africa and Asia. Comparable in fundraising model (individual donors, institutional grants, programmatic depth).
• Lega per i diritti delle persone con disabilità (LEDHA): An Italian disability rights umbrella organization (and CBM Italia's KEEP Driven consortium partner). Comparable in advocacy focus on disability inclusion, rights, and accessibility in Italy, though more concentrated on policy/advocacy than direct service delivery.
• Light for the World: An international disability and eye health NGO headquartered in Austria, operating eye care and inclusive education programs in developing countries. Highly comparable mission and program portfolio, with overlapping geographic footprint (Africa) and similar reliance on EU institutional funding and individual donors.

Others

• EMERGENCY NGO: Italian nonprofit providing free medical care to victims of war and poverty worldwide. Comparable to CBM Italia in Italian fundraising model, international field operations, and donor base structure, though focused on emergency medicine rather than disability/eye health.
• AIRC - Fondazione AIRC per la ricerca sul cancro: Major Italian nonprofit funding cancer research, with a comparable donor base model (5x1000, individual giving, legacy gifts) and strong brand in Italy. Useful for benchmarking 5x1000 fundraising performance and individual donor engagement best practices in the Italian third sector.
• Save the Children Italia: Italian affiliate of a major international child-rights NGO. Comparable to CBM Italia in mission focus on vulnerable children, scale of Italian fundraising operations (5x1000, recurring donors, corporate partners), and program breadth in both Italy and developing countries.
• Médecins Sans Frontières Italia: Italian affiliate of a major international medical-humanitarian NGO. Comparable to CBM Italia as an Italian nonprofit (ETS) raising funds domestically through individual donors, 5x1000, and corporate partnerships, with international field programs — useful for benchmarking the Italian nonprofit fundraising landscape.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/cbmitalia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/cbmitalia
• Facebookfacebook.com/cbm.italia.onlus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cbm-italia-onlus
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbm_italia/?hl=it

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 CBM Italia Onlus