TIMELINE The 21 st Century

In recent years New Eyes has strengthened its fundraising efforts, focusing less on special events and more on institutional and individual giving. During Gajano’s tenure, charitable gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations significantly increased, representing two-thirds of annual revenues.

Jean Gajano , Executive

Director

These efforts include securing the first of ensuing grants from Newman’s Own Foundation and championing annual matching gift campaigns. In 2016, the organization launched a $1 million “20/20 for 2020” campaign. The campaign met its goal despite the financial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 10-member Board of Trustees, chaired by Kristine Van Amsterdam, sets New Eyes vision for the future and formulates its strategic direction. With ultimate responsibility for mission advancement and financial sustainability, the Board guides New Eyes’ investment in resources, technology and organizational capacity.

In 2020, after extensive review, the Board made the milestone decision to channel all future efforts into U.S. operations and eliminate the former Overseas Used Glasses Program. The rationale for this transition was twofold: First, the need in the U.S. for free prescription eyewear is vast; and second, over the last decade, global vision health organizations have recommended that used glasses no longer be distributed in developing countries, advocating for more sustainable solutions such as establishing vision care infrastructure within each country.

Ms. Van Amsterdam is a seasoned volunteer leader who joined the Board in 2010 after retiring from a 29-year banking career in the Federal Reserve System. She brings a wealth of knowledge in non-profit governance and finance. An advisor for the delta v accelerator program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she works with student entrepreneurs building viable, sustainable ventures.