What is Face-to-Face Canvassing?

Canvassing is one of the most cost-effective ways for Orbis to reach supporters where they are.

Team members are trained to have personal, one-on-one conversations with supporters and engage them in our work, as well as ask supporters for a recurring gift.

At Orbis, we recognize that giving to a charity is a highly personal experience. Because of that, we expect our canvassers to conduct themselves in an honest, respectful way that ensures a positive experience for anyone they engage with and the best possible results for Orbis.

Why is recurring giving critical to Orbis’s mission?

A recurring gift is one of the most powerful ways to help build a world free from avoidable blindness by providing dependable and predictable funding for our work. Our Partners in Sight—the committed donors who give on a recurring basis—make it possible for Orbis to reach millions of people with sight-saving eye care each year.

When you become a recurring donor, you help fund programs and services that restore vision and help people thrive. Your gift is multiplied when it is combined with recurring gifts from other Partners in Sight, leading to an even greater impact!

Is my gift tax deductible?

Yes, your gift is tax deductible to the full extent provided by law. Orbis is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit in the United States with registration number 23-7297651.

FAQS:

How can I identify an official Orbis Canvasser?

Canvassers are required to wear an Orbis branded lanyard with an ID badge with their photo, our donor care team’s contact information, our Charitable Registration Number, and a note that they do not carry or accept cash. They will also be wearing Orbis branded attire.

Are canvassers registered with local authorities?

Yes. PFS complies with all state, local, and national solicitation regulations including registering as paid solicitors and fundraising counsel as required by the relevant authorities.

Fundraising contracts are filed with regulatory authorities and are available by request through each authority which varies by authority.

Why can’t I make a one-time gift with a canvasser?

Orbis’s face-to-face fundraising program was developed to build a base of ongoing, committed supporters who can provide eye care for people living with vision loss over the long-term. Because of this, we ask our canvassers to focus on recruiting recurring donors.

Why can’t the canvasser accept my cash donation?

For both your safety and the safety of our fundraisers, canvassers are not allowed to carry cash.

How will my gift be used?

Your gift will be used to provide sight-saving eye care for people living with avoidable blindness around the world. When you make a recurring gift, more children will be able to see and learn in school, parents will be able to care for their families, and grandparents will see the smiles on their loved ones’ faces again.

It will train eye care professionals using cutting-edge technology so they can treat patients with severe eye conditions, help screen infants, children, and adults for vision problems, treat sight-stealing diseases like trachoma, and provide surgery for patients blinded by cataracts.

How do I cancel or change my recurring gift?

Please contact our Donor Service team at [email protected] and include your full name and preferred contact method or call back number. An Orbis staff member will respond to your inquiry within two business days.