That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a $1 million matching gift opportunity, generously made possible by John A. and Susan Sobrato. By contributing to this challenge, you will double your impact, ensuring twice as many people have access to vision care through our vision centers. Together, we aim to build or refurbish 20 vision centers, and bring the gift of sight to 2 million people.

$1 million matching gift opportunity
in support of women-led green vision centers
More than 1 billion people around the world live with vision loss—but Orbis has a proven solution. Our community-based vision centers provide equitable, sustainable access to eye care so that people can thrive.
Donate & create long-lasting change through Women-led Green Vision centers
X2 your giftThe Opportunity to Change Lives

We know that 90% of all vision loss is treatable or preventable, if people can just receive the eye care they need. Yet 90% of global vision loss occurs in low- and middle-income countries, where access to eye care is limited or non-existent. The consequences are startling:
- Compromised childhood: Children with vision loss are up to five times less likely to attend school and far more likely to have depression or anxiety.
- Struggles in adulthood: People with moderate to severe vision impairment are 30% less likely to be employed and 49% more likely to die prematurely.
- Economic strain: Vision problems cause $411 billion in lost productivity annually worldwide.
The good news is that 90% of all vision loss is treatable or preventable. Vision centers are the key to lasting change.
Orbis Solution: Women-Led Green Vision Centers

Orbis’s vision centers are family-friendly and sustainably-run eye health clinics that are strategically located in rural areas across India and Bangladesh. Each center reaches about 100,000 people—including 66,000 children—and delivers eye screenings and vision testing, eyeglasses distribution, teleconsultation, referrals, and follow-ups. Our goal is to ensure all people have access to the eye care they need to thrive, and our vision centers achieve this in part by being women-led and sustainable.
Women-led: Orbis trains women-led management teams to run the centers, which are designed to accommodate families, with dedicated breastfeeding corners and play areas for children, all people are equally welcome to visit. Not only does this approach provide jobs to women, but it bolsters access to care since women are statistically more likely to seek eye care from other women—both for themselves and for their children.
Sustainable: While visit fees and glasses sales are free for low-income patients, the vision centers generate revenue from patients who can afford their services, leading to financial sustainability within 3 years. Additionally, the vision centers are solar-powered and staff utilize electric mopeds to conduct outreach services in the surrounding communities. Since many of the centers are located in regions with frequent power outages, this approach further ensures that the vision centers will be open and operational no matter when a patient visits.
Orbis was the first to introduce vision centers in Bangladesh, and to develop common standards now followed by other NGOs. To date, we have supported 114 vision centers in India and 37 in Bangladesh. We plan to add 50 green vision centers across India and Bangladesh in the next 3 years, extending eye health coverage to about 5 million people.
Generosity of John A. and Susan Sobrato

John A. Sobrato (middle) stands with Orbis CEO Derek Hodkey (left) and David Chang (right).
John A. and Susan Sobrato have built a well-known legacy of giving, with vision, dedication, and passion—and they’re challenging you to be a part of it. Through September 2024, the Sobratos have generously committed to match up to $1 million in gifts to build women-led green vision centers. “I’m proud to invest in Orbis because it’s an organization that understands the power of making cutting-edge technology accessible to communities for whom it normally remains out of reach,” says Mr. Sobrato.
We know we’re not alone in feeling that everyone deserves access to the eye care they need to thrive. We hope anyone who shares this belief will join us in making a catalytic gift towards Orbis’s vision centers.
Not only do vision centers offer equitable, life-changing services, but they’re a smart investment too. “We’ve found that $1 on the ground in low-income countries can do the equivalent of what would cost $4-5 in the U.S.,” says Mr. Sobrato. “And Orbis’s model leverages training and technology to ensure vision center staff have the knowledge needed to provide quality services at the community level. I’ve seen firsthand how that approach goes a long way.”
Orbis is honored by the continued trust of the Sobratos, who launched the Silicon Valley Orbis Innovation Fund in 2019 with a $1 million inaugural gift. Through their new vision center match, the power of your contribution will unlock even greater transformational change.
Tamanna's Story: Your Impact

For months, 11-year-old Tamanna had been suffering from blurred vision and watery eyes. “My eyes were hurting, my head was hurting,” she remembers. It was difficult for her to see the board in her sixth-grade classroom. She complained to her mother, but her family wasn’t sure how to help. Then one day Orbis visited her school in Maharashtra, India to lead an eye screening for the students.
Through the screening, Tamanna was referred to a green vision center near her community to receive follow up care. She was welcomed to the center right away where she received additional screening for free. Within the week, her custom glasses had arrived. “I wear my glasses every day now,” says Tamanna. “My eyes don’t water anymore, and my headaches have also stopped.”
Though she was worried her friends might laugh at her for wearing glasses, she says, “They didn’t tease me. Everyone says, ‘You look good.’” Now, Tamanna can learn, grow, and live like a healthy, happy kid. She’s back to her favorite hobbies, like playing cards, and dreams of becoming a policewoman when she grows up.

“If my friends are having trouble seeing, I will tell them, you should go to the center!”Tamanna, Patient, India
Your Legacy
The average cost to establish and equip a vision center is $100,000, but through the Sobrato match, your gift of $100,000 will double, effectively building two sustainable centers and reaching 200,000 people per year. By contributing, you will be one of a select group of our closest supporters that enables us to meet and thus maximize this special opportunity.
Together, we can alleviate the traditional barriers that keep vulnerable people from accessing eye care and pave the way for more fulfilling futures.
Donate & create long-lasting change through Women-led Green Vision centers
X2 your giftYou can also give by requesting a grant through a donor-advised fund, through a gift of stock, through an ACH transfer, through a qualified distribution from an IRA, or by signing a pledge for a future gift. Contact Kasia using the details below to find out more.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Kasia Biezychudek Vice President, Philanthropy.
Email address: [email protected]
Phone number: 312-331-0022
Other ways to give
