An active volunteer Board of Directors meets at least four times per year. An external auditing firm conducts annual audits including an annual OMB audit when required.
Permanent and contract staff in professional and administrative positions are employed at headquarters and in the field. Partner eye care institutions in developing countries implement IEF supported programs.
IEF’s diverse funding support includes public, private, foundation and corporate grants; investment income, direct mail and annual fund campaigns, events, and United Way and CFC.
In “official relations” with the World Health Organization since 1985, IEF works with ministries of health; international and national non-governmental organizations (NGO), and eye hospitals in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Honorary Board
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah al-Faisal al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Her Majesty Queen Noor, Philanthropist
Bruce E. Spivey, MD, President, International Council of Ophthalmology
Senator Chris Van Hollen, 8th District, Maryland
Governing Board
Chair: Kathryn D. Leckey, Esq.*
Vice Chair: Frances R. Pierce, Information Technology, Chairman, President & CEO, Data Systems Analysts, Inc.*
Treasurer: Rowena J. Smith, MSCJ., Assistant Vice President of Care Management Operations, Care Design NY
Secretary: Baxter F. McLendon, MD, Low-country Health Care System, Fairfax, South Carolina, US.
Medical Director: Alan L. Robin, MD, Professor, Ophthalmology, University of Michigan, Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and International Health, Johns Hopkins University
Members:
Eliza Barnwell, MD, MSCR., Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Inpatient Ocular Trauma Service, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, Charleston, SC
William F. Parker, Jr., Director of Strategic Partnerships, NSITE, Alexandria, VA
Brent Thomas Willimas, PhD., Associate Professor, University of Arkansas.
Board Emeritus
Paul T. Gavaris, MD, Ophthalmologist, Eye Associates of Washington, DC
Larry Schwab, MD, Ophthalmologist, Regional Eye Associates, West Virginia
Legal Counsel
Kathryn D. Leckey, JD, Attorney*
* Rolling off Board 2025
Blindness can strike every man, women, and child — rich or poor, whether they live in developed or developing countries alike. Help us make a difference by donating today.
$4.25 per month will sponsor 1 cataract surgery annually. How much does your cup of coffee cost?
$8.50 per month funds eye exams for 30 children annually. A great contribution for less than $10 a month!
$41.75 per month sponsors 8 cataract kits for 40 operations annually.
$83.50 per month provides transportation for 180 children and their families to clinics for treatment annually.