Chapter

San Francisco, California

The San Francisco Bay Area chapter is was founded in 1998 in Milpitas, California. This chapter serves as the headquarters for Sankara Eye Foundation USA from which the Board Members and veteran volunteers guide all other Sankara Eye Foundation chapters throughout the United States. A modest team of three people started this journey, which has now flourished into a powerful movement of 200+ volunteers. The SF Bay Area chapter caters to all the functional needs of the organization including donor care, marketing, fundraising and accounting.

Over the years, fundraiser events have played a key role in the growth of the Sankara Eye Foundation Bay Area chapter. Some notable fundraising events included Bollywood music concerts featuring singers like Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal. Sankara Eye Foundation Bay Area also regularly hosts donor banquets, festival celebrations like Holi, corporate giving campaigns, and individual fundraising campaigns.

These volunteer-led efforts provide a continuous inflow of funds which are dedicated to eradicating curable blindness in India. Given the scale of operations and the aggressive goals set by our Vision 2030 program, we are constantly in need of more volunteers.

Join the Sankara Eye Foundation San Francisco Bay Area team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-sfbay@giftofvision.org

Austin, Texas

The Austin chapter of Sankara Eye Foundation USA came into existence in 2014 with a small, but enthusiastic, team of volunteers. Today it has expanded into a team of about 95 volunteers who strive to organize fundraisers and awareness events, both large and small, to aid Sankara Eye Foundation's worthy cause.

The chapter has organized several significant fundraising events including Bollywood musical concerts featuring Shreya Ghoshal and Shankar Ehsaan Loy, and an Indian classical music show featuring Tarun Bhattacharya. Since its inception, Sankara Eye Foundation Austin has regularly organized numerous community fundraising events such as Holi celebrations, banquets, walkathons, and mobile eye clinics.

Most recently, the chapter participated in the Parade of India celebration to mark India’s 75th Independence Day in Austin. In addition, the Sankara Eye Foundation Austin Dandia is a much anticipated community event which has grown from 500 participants in 2016 to about 3000 expected in 2022.

Sankara Eye Foundation Austin is a completely volunteer-run chapter. Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Austin team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-austin@giftofvision.org

Dallas, Texas

The Dallas chapter of Sankara Eye Foundation USA began in early 2000 and has seen exponential growth with over 150 youth and adult volunteers today. Over the years, volunteers have shown unprecedented dedication and effort towards putting the chapter on the national map. Successful musical concerts, featuring singers like Hariharan and Shankar Ehsaan Loy, have been organized to raise funds towards eradicating curable blindness in India.

In 2017, the Dallas team began hosting the highly popular 5K Walkathon which went on to become an annual event. In 2018, the team started an annual Bollywood Dandia event. These events have consistently produced a high return on investment, created brand awareness, and energized the volunteers.

Since 2017, Sankara Eye Foundation Dallas events have contributed to more than 10,000 eye surgeries in India. The chapter is now prepared to grow its efforts on a larger scale.

Sankara Eye Foundation Dallas is a completely volunteer-run chapter. Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Dallas team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-dallas@giftofvision.org

Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit chapter came into existence in 2006 and organized its first successful fundraiser, a musical concert, in 2008. After that, Sangam- a trigulbandi of Hindustani, Carnatic music, and Odissi dance, was organized with leading artists from India. The chapter now raises funds by partnering with major regional associations through "Giving back to Community" musical events.

In recent years, activities have included setting up informational and fundraising booths during India's Independence Day celebrations, TANA conferences, a Telangana conference, and booths at local religious and cultural events. Future plans include Dandia events, donor appreciation dinners, and increased participation in local events to raise awareness and promote Sankara Eye Foundation's mission.

The Detroit chapter continues to strengthen its volunteer team by reaching out to university students and regional associations in and around Detroit. Sankara Eye Foundation Detroit is a completely volunteer-run chapter.

Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Detroit team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-detroit@giftofvision.org

Houston, Texas

The Houston chapter of Sankara Eye Foundation was started almost a decade ago. The team is made up of dedicated volunteers who are experienced in non-profit management.

The signature event of the Houston Sankara Eye Foundation chapter is the Annual Donor Appreciation Dinner in November which garners funds from generous donors and patrons who support Sankara Eye Foundation’s cause of eradicating curable blindness in rural India.

The chapter also provides volunteer team-building and leadership opportunities. It hopes to organize more events such as an annual Holi event, Bollywood shows, and other outreach efforts, all of which require more volunteers. Sankara Eye Foundation Houston is a completely volunteer-run chapter.

Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Houston team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-houston@giftofvision.org

Los Angeles, California

Sankara Eye Foundation’s Los Angeles chapter has a dedicated team who come together to organize various events throughout the year to garner funds and spread awareness about Sankara Eye Foundation’s mission.

Some successful fundraisers hosted by the Los Angeles chapter in the past included Bollywood musical concerts featuring singers like Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal, the Falguni Pathak Dandia and Holi events.

The Southern California chapters have many volunteers who are spread across Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County and Riverside. They strive to host events that cater to these different areas and are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers from all over Southern California.

Sankara Eye Foundation Los Angeles is a completely volunteer-run chapter. Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Los Angeles team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-socal@giftofvision.org

New Jersey, New York and Tri-State

Sankara Eye Foundation’s chapters in New York, New Jersey, and the Tri-State area are driven by highly committed volunteers who are actively engaged in creating mission awareness and mobilizing funds for Sankara Eye Foundation India through collaboration with the Sankara Eye Foundation USA headquarters in San Jose, California.

During the summer, Tri-State area volunteers actively work on hosting information booths at fairs, expos and parades, to bring awareness of Sankara Eye Foundation USA’s role as the largest provider of free eye care in India. In addition to these, the chapter organizes diverse fundraisers including, but not limited to, small and large cultural concerts, 5K walks, art shows, donor appreciation evenings and fundraising galas.

Over the next couple of months, two fundraising galas are planned in New York and New Jersey. The Tri-State volunteers also organize informational meetings with small groups of donors to convey the latest updates and information about Sankara Eye Foundation's projects in India. Dandia events, which have been hugely successful at other locations, are also in the cards for this chapter in the future.

Sankara Eye Foundation’s New Jersey and New York chapters are completely volunteer-run chapters. Join the New York/New Jersey team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-nj@giftofvision.org | sef-ny@giftofvision.org

Phoenix, Arizona

The Phoenix chapter of Sankara Eye Foundation USA began in 2003 with a small group of dedicated volunteers. During the initial days, the chapter focused on spreading awareness about Sankara Eye Foundation’s mission by hosting booths at events organized by the Indian community and by talking to patrons. In 2006, the team organized a highly successful fundraising concert featuring renowned singer Dr. Balamurli Krishna, in association with the Arizona Telugu Association, followed by another concert by the singer Hariharan.

The Indo American Foundation of Phoenix and the Arizona Tamil Sangam supported the event. Similar events have been organized since then as the team continues to raise awareness about Sankara Eye Foundation and mobilize funds. Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Phoenix team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-phoenix@giftofvision.org

Seattle, Washington

The Sankara Eye Foundation Seattle chapter is led by enthusiastic volunteers who strive to further the cause of the organization. The Microsoft Giving Campaign has been a leading source of grants by matching employee donations. Much of this is a result of the awareness campaigns led by the Seattle chapter. They have also organized cricket tournaments, dandiya events, and poker tournaments as part of fundraising for Sankara Eye Foundation.

You can join the energetic team and help give the Gift of Vision. Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Seattle team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-seattle@giftofvision.org

Simi Valley, California

The Simi Valley chapter of the Sankara Eye Foundation USA has a group of dedicated volunteers, both youth and adults, who come together to organize various fundraising events throughout the year to garner funds and spread awareness about Sankara Eye Foundation’s mission.

The chapter organizes annual events such as the Walk for Vision, Dandia, the Youth Entrepreneur Workshop, and the Penny for an Eye drive organized by youth volunteers. The chapter has many volunteers across Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Ventura County, and strives to host events that cater to different audiences.

The Sankara Eye Foundation Simi Valley chapter is a completely volunteer-run chapter and is always looking for new volunteers to strengthen the team. Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Simi Valley team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sef-simivalley@giftofvision.org

Washington DC

Sankara Eye Foundation’s Washington D.C chapter came into existence through a group of dedicated volunteers getting together from the states of Maryland and Virginia. The team has been striving to regularly support Sankara Eye Foundation USA through various local activities. Plans are currently underway to develop a student internship program that will help students volunteer for a cause and also learn critical life skills.

The chapter also intends to develop a mentor program to help students navigate challenges in college and for employment related guidance. This will help build a community of young volunteers who will continue to serve charitable organizations and society at large beyond Sankara Eye Foundation.

Join the Sankara Eye Foundation Washington D.C. team and help give the Gift of Vision to the visually impaired! Help Sankara Eye Foundation USA achieve Vision 2030.

For information on how to volunteer, write to: sefdc@giftofvision.org

Florida

SEF, USA made its debut in the state of Florida on May 4, 2024, with the Gala For a Brighter Future. It was an elegant and inspirational evening attended by over 130 patrons in Tampa.

In a moving speech, Ophthalmologist Dr. Priya Vakharia, MD, the Keynote Speaker for the event spoke about the vast need that India has in the area of eliminating curable blindness. SEF, USA Founder and Executive Chairman, Murali Krishnamurthy, Chief Operating Officer, Divyogi Patel, and Board Member R. Sundar also addressed the gathering.

The gala helped raise more than $78,000 from a very generous and inspired audience. Thanks to their support, SEF, USA’s Florida chapter had a highly successful inaugural gala.

The Florida chapter welcomes members of the community to join in on this heartwarming journey. For more information, or to get involved, visit Sankara Eye Foundation, USA. For queries, please reach out to SEF, USA here, or through its volunteer leaders in Florida.

Contact:
Arvind Rajan: arvind.rajan@giftofvision.org,
Dilip Krishna: dilip.krishna@giftofvision.org,
Sheila Narayanan: Sheila.narayanan@giftofvision.org