What did The Life You Can Save find about The Fred Hollows Foundation?
The Life You Can Save described The Fred Hollows Foundation as:
“a high-impact opportunity for donors seeking measurable and enduring improvements in health and well-being”
The assessment recognised the Foundation’s scale and durability, as well as our focus on strengthening health systems and working with local partners to create lasting change.
Our organisational quality was rated High across the dimensions assessed, including our understanding of the problem, mission alignment, adaptability and commitment to learning.
Read the full evaluation here.
What makes our approach effective
Working at scale
We work in more than 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and the Pacific.
Each year, our programs reach millions of people through eye health services, community education, training and health system strengthening.
Building local capacity
We train health workers, surgeons, teachers and other local professionals so communities can build and sustain their own eye health services.
In 2024, more than 39,000 people were trained across our African programs, as part of a broader approach to strengthening eye health systems.
Learning and adapting
We regularly assess our programs and use evidence to understand what is working, what is not, and what needs to change.
In 2024, we conducted 23 Annual Effectiveness Reviews across our country programs.
This means we don't simply deliver a program and move on. We use evidence and learning to continually improve how we work.
Strengthening health systems
Our work goes beyond individual cataract operations and treatments.
We support training, equipment, infrastructure, research and advocacy, while working with governments, health services and communities to strengthen eye health systems for the long term.
How does The Fred Hollows Foundation create lasting impact?
We work alongside governments, health services, local organisations and communities to strengthen eye health systems.
Our work includes:
- Restoring sight through cataract surgery and other eye treatments
- Preventing and treating avoidable causes of blindness, including trachoma
- Training surgeons, nurses, community health workers and other health professionals
- Improving eye health infrastructure, equipment and services
- Supporting research and testing new approaches
- Advocating for stronger eye health policies and systems
This means our work extends beyond individual treatments. By building local skills, services and systems, we help communities strengthen eye health for the long term.
We use evidence to improve our programs
Effective programs need to respond to what the evidence shows. The Life You Can Save highlighted examples of how research has helped us identify unintended consequences and adapt our approach.
Testing new approaches in China
Research found that providing free eyeglasses could unintentionally affect local optical markets. In response, we tested an approach combining free basic glasses with paid upgrades.
Understanding the real cost of eye surgery in Vietnam
Research found that the cost of travelling to hospital and staying away from home could make free cataract surgery inaccessible for some people.
This helped inform a broader approach to affordability that considers the costs people face when accessing care, not just the cost of the surgery itself.
Why does independent evaluation matter?
We believe charities should be transparent about their impact and willing to learn from evidence.
That's why independent assessment is valuable. It provides donors with another perspective on an organisation's work, alongside the organisation's own reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
The Life You Can Save uses an evidence-based evaluation framework to assess the organisations it recommends. Its Evaluation Hub publishes research and evaluation documents covering areas including organisational quality, evidence and cost-effectiveness.
The full evaluation of The Fred Hollows Foundation is available through The Life You Can Save's Evaluation Hub.
What does The Life You Can Save's recommendation mean for supporters?
The Life You Can Save's recommendation gives donors an independent source of information when considering whether to support The Fred Hollows Foundation.
It complements our own impact reporting and evaluations by providing an external assessment of our organisation, our approach and our commitment to learning.
We believe donors should have access to evidence that helps them make informed decisions about where they give.
Explore our impact
Our stories
Discover the difference your support helps make.
Where we work
Learn how we work with communities and partners in more than 25 countries to strengthen eye health systems.
Annual reports
Read about our programs, impact and finances.
The Life You Can Save's evaluation
Explore the independent assessment of The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Frequently asked questions
