Sight Savers of America Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Sight savers america (ssa) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and securing essential eye care needs for children and adults, from a child's first pair of eyeglasses to extensive sight-saving treatment and high-tech vision AIDS for individuals with severe visual impairment. Serving 16 states, ssa fulfills its mission through three core programs: the eye care program, low vision & blindness program, and screening program. Ssa operates with a board of trustees, a staff of 40, and a nationwide network of more than 1,300 eye care professionals who often discount or donate services to support ssa programs. Through partnerships with local communities, schools, healthcare providers, state agencies, and other organizations, ssa reduces health disparities by ensuring individuals have access to essential vision services, treatments, and assistive technology.the eye care program identifies and addresses unmet eye care needs among children following failed school vision screenings or referrals from community partners, school staff, medical professionals, and family members. Once referred, each child receives individualized case management to ensure access to a dilated eye exam and all recommended treatments. Approximately 1 in 4 children in the u.s. Are estimated to have some form of vision problem, and vision disorders are among the most prevalent disabling childhood conditions, impacting development, learning, and quality of life.ssa's national follow-up eye care model works with families individually to connect children with a local eye care provider for an initial exam and ongoing care through their 19th birthday. Each child is assigned a case specialist who manages the entire process, including communicating screening results, educating families about the importance of ongoing eye care, scheduling appointments, providing reminders, arranging transportation when needed, and coordinating prescribed treatments. Treatments may include prescription eyeglasses, amblyopia treatment, medications, vision therapy, ongoing care, and surgeries. All program activity is documented in ssa's proprietary database, allowing ssa to track outcomes, support returning families, and provide detailed reporting to funders and stakeholders. Insurance coverage is utilized when applicable, and services not covered by insurance are donated or paid by ssa. Case specialists also assist uninsured families with applications for the children's health insurance program (chip). Ssa collaborates with state agencies to provide follow-up eye care through statewide vision programs, including Alabama's program serving all kindergarten, second, and fourth-grade public school students; Mississippi's program serving all public school kindergartners; and South Carolina's program supporting preschool-aged children statewide. To date, approximately 1 million children have been helped through the eye care program in Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. During the 2024/25 school year, 44,186 children received these services.the low vision & blindness program supports children and adults with severe visual impairment or blindness by providing high-tech visual assistive devices to individuals with a documented medical and financial need. The program's goal is to maximize remaining vision, increase functional abilities, and improve independence. Individuals with low vision or blindness often face significant challenges with daily activities such as reading, writing, traveling, education, employment, and independent living. These devices are essential but are not covered by medical insurance and are cost-prohibitive for many families. Ssa works with teachers of the visually impaired, low vision specialists, community organizations, state agencies, and other partners to identify individuals who may benefit from assistive technology. Each recipient receives individualized case management and must have a recent eva

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 87.8%; rating input score 88
• Program expense ratio: 88.1%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 0.4%; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.5; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.5%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.1% per year; rating input score 100; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.3% per year; rating input score 100; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.2% per year; rating input score 100; 25th percentile among comparable filings