The Himalayan Cataract Project is celebrating one of the most significant recognitions since its inception. Our organization was one of eight groups named semi-finalists in 100&Change, a global competition for a single $100 million grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
The selection as a semi-finalist for the
100&Change grant is a major endorsement of our work and recognizes the elimination of avoidable blindness as one of the most important social imperatives of our time. Being selected from among the top .5% of all applicants is a victory in and of itself, and a cause for celebration. HCP would also like to extend its congratulations to each of the other seven 100&Change semi-finalists.
The 100&Change grant would enable us to unlock the blueprint for sustainable eye care delivery on a global scale. Additionally, our organization would be able to deliver sight-restoring surgery to over 500,000 people, who would be permanently cured.
This grant would enhance our ability to collaborate with some of the finest clinical and industry partners in the world working to eliminate needless blindness globally.
Clinical and training partners:
- Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal
- Aravind Eye Care System, India
- L V Prasad Eye Institute, India
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah
- Department of Ophthalmology & Global Medicine, Stanford University
- International Council of Ophthalmology, Magrabi – ICO Cameroon Eye Institute
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana
- Menelik Hospital, Addis Ababa University Dept. Ophthalmology, Ethiopia
- Sight for Souls/ MCM Hospital, Ethiopia
Industry Partners:
- Merge, an IBM Company
- Clarity Design - University of San Diego Shiley - Marcos School of Engineering
- Global Vision 2020
Economically, the ripple effects of this grant would be even greater. The estimated return on every dollar invested into curing blindness is 400%. We expect our model of care to scale and multiply, and by harnessing the leveraging effect of such a magnanimous grant, provide a realistic solution for eradicating needless blindness globally. This is one global health problem which we can win.The 100&Change recipient will be announced later this year, but in the meantime, we will pursue our work with continued enthusiasm, and for this we will need your ongoing support more than ever.
Learn more about the 100&Change competition and the
Himalayan Cataract Project’s solution.
Read more about the MacArthur Foundation
100&Change Competition.
Journalists, download our
digital press kit here.
“With an investment of this stature we can scale up faster, expand our training, infrastructure and innovation to help the world overcome needless blindness.” – Job Heintz, CEO
“When you cure a blind person, he or she is not a statistic.” –Geoff Tabin, Co-Founder
“These eight ambitious proposals exemplify the passion, range, and creativity of the hundreds of applications,” said MacArthur President Julia Stasch. “We hope that the competition inspires individuals and organizations to be bold and think big, because solutions are possible.”
