irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $76.89MNUTRITION: TODAY AS MANY AS 318 MILLION FACE ACUTE LEVELS OF FOOD INSECURITY. ONGOING STRESSORS INCLUDING CLIMATE CHANGE, RISING INFLATION, AND INSTABILITY AND CONFLICTS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE MADE NUTRITIOUS FOOD UNAFFORDABLE OR INACCESSIBLE TO MILLIONS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT GREATEST RISK. TO REDUCE MALNUTRITION, HELEN KELLER INTL PARTNERS WITH GOVERNMENTS, COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN AFRICA AND ASIA TO REACH INFANTS, CHILDREN, MOTHERS, AND FAMILIES WITH CLIMATE-SMART FARMING TRAINING, BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT, ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF MALNUTRITION, COMPLEMENTARY HIGH-NUTRIENT FOODS, AND CRITICAL VITAMINS AND NUTRIENTS LIKE IMMUNE-BUILDING VITAMIN A.LAST YEAR, HELEN KELLER PARTNERED WITH 14 AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS TO REACH OVER 47 MILLION CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE WITH TWO DOSES OF VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION. WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES IN LARGE SCALE FOOD FORTIFICATION IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES ACROSS AFRICA (BURKINA FASO, NIGERIA, AND SENEGAL) TO EXPLORE FORTIFICATION OF BOUILLON CUBES. WE ESTIMATE HAVING REACHED MORE THAN 2.2 MILLION FAMILIES WITH BETTER ACCESS TO MICRONUTRIENT-RICH FOODS SINCE WE FIRST BEGAN SUPPORTING THESE APPROACHES MORE THAN THREE DECADES AGO.
- #2 $13.11MNEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES: NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES INCLUDING BLINDING TRACHOMA, LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS, RIVER BLINDNESS, SCHISTOSOMIASIS, AND INTESTINAL WORMS IMPACT MORE THAN 1 BILLION PEOPLE GLOBALLY. THESE MAINLY PARASITIC, VIRAL, OR BACTERIAL DISEASES THAT CAN CAUSE A HOST OF PAINFUL PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, LOST ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND SOCIAL STIGMA ARE MOST PREVALENT IN LOWER INCOME COUNTRIES THAT LACK ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE. HELEN KELLER INTL PARTNERS WITH MINISTRIES OF HEALTH, LOCAL LEADERS, AND COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT, TREAT, AND ELIMINATE THESE NEGLECTED DISEASES. A CORNERSTONE OF THE WORK INVOLVES MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION EVENTS WHERE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS DISTRIBUTE CRITICAL MEDICATIONS TO BOTH TREAT AND CURB THE SPREAD OF THESE DISEASES. DURING 2025 ALONE, WE WORKED WITH MINISTRIES OF HEALTH TO TREAT MORE THAN 32.3 MILLION INDIVIDUALS FOR AT LEAST ONE OF THESE FIVE DISEASES IN SEVEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES (BURKINA FASO, CAMEROON, GUINEA, MALI, NIGER, NIGERIA AND SIERRA LEONE), CONTRIBUTING GREATLY TO NATIONAL EFFORTS TOWARDS THEIR CONTROL AND ELIMINATION. HELEN KELLER IS ALSO INVOLVED IN MORBIDITY MANAGEMENT AND DISABILITY PREVENTION RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO TRACHOMA AND LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS AND IS WORKING TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS AREA IN FIVE AFRICAN COUNTRIES (MALI, NIGER, NIGERIA, SIERRA LEONE AND TANZANIA). IN 2025, WE SCREENED MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION INDIVIDUALS FOR TRACHOMA AND SUPPORTED SURGERY FOR OVER 2,400 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY A BLINDING CONDITION RESULTING FROM TRACHOMA (TRICHIASIS). THE COMBINATION OF THESE HELEN KELLER-SUPPORTED EFFORTS HAS LED TO THE GREAT SUCCESS OF MALI ELIMINATING TRACHOMA AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM IN 2023 AND NIGER ELIMINATING ONCHOCERCIASIS IN 2025; OTHER COUNTRIES CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THIS DIRECTION WITH TRACHOMA, LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS AND ONCHOCERCIASIS
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Agriculture for Nutrition
Homestead food production and orange-fleshed sweet potato programs that improve access to nutrient-rich foods in Africa and Asia Pacific
Large-Scale Food Fortification
Supports fortification of staple foods like bouillon cubes with essential micronutrients in countries including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Senegal
Mass Drug Administration for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Partners with Ministries of Health to distribute preventive medications for trachoma, river blindness, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and intestinal worms
Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention
Provides care and surgery for individuals suffering from advanced effects of trachoma and lymphatic filariasis, including trichiasis surgery
Vitamin A Supplementation
Biannual distribution of vitamin A supplements to children under five to prevent malnutrition and nutritional blindness, in partnership with African governments
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Direct Clinical Care Delivery 2 activities
- Build government and partner capacity in disease morbidity management and disability preventionStrengthens national and local systems for morbidity management and disability prevention related to trachoma and lymphatic filariasis by training health workers and supporting program integration in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.
- Prevent and treat neglected tropical diseases through mass drug administrationConducts large-scale treatment programs for schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis, including distribution of praziquantel, deworming medication, and Mectizan® (ivermectin). Treated more than 32.3 million individuals in seven African countries in 2025 through mass drug administration in partnership with ministries of health.
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Food Policy Advocacy & Nutrition Education 1 activity
- Advance large-scale food fortification through technical assistance and systems strengtheningDesigns and supports national food fortification programs, including fortification of staple foods like bouillon cubes, and provides technical assistance to governments and private sector partners in countries such as Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal, and others to establish sustainable fortification systems.
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SDG Advancement & Global Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocate for the elimination of avoidable blindness and hunger at global and national levelsParticipates in global initiatives such as VISION 2020: The Right to Sight and highlights hunger as a leading threat to child survival. Supported advocacy efforts that contributed to Mali eliminating trachoma as a public health problem in 2023 and Niger eliminating onchocerciasis in 2025.
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Global Tuberculosis Drug Development and Access 1 activity
- Conduct and disseminate research to inform global health policy and programmingGenerates evidence through operational research, co-develops strategies such as the SAFE strategy for trachoma control, and shares best practices to measure impact and scale cost-effective nutrition and disease prevention solutions.
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Malnutrition Treatment and Nutrition Support 1 activity
- Deliver nutrition and health interventions to improve child and maternal outcomesProvides vitamin A supplementation, breastfeeding support, malnutrition assessment and treatment, and complementary high-nutrient foods to infants, children, mothers, and families in Africa and Asia. Reached over 47 million children under five with two doses of vitamin A in 2024 through partnerships with 14 African governments.
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Comprehensive Eye Care Access 1 activity
- Eliminate avoidable blindness through screening, surgery, and treatment programsConducts vision screenings, eye exams, and provides prescription glasses and sight-saving surgeries for trachoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and other vision disorders. Screened over 1.6 million people for trachoma and supported surgery for over 2,400 with trichiasis in 2025; established cataract treatment programs in 13 countries.
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Smallholder Agricultural Development 1 activity
- Support women’s agricultural production and household food securityImplements climate-smart farming training and promotes nutrient-rich crops such as orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and homestead food gardens to improve dietary diversity. Reached more than 2.2 million households in Africa and Asia with improved access to micronutrient-rich foods since launching programs over three decades ago.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$120.23M
Contributions & grants$114.73M95%
Program service revenue$2.16M2%
Investment income$3.23M3%
Other revenue$101K
expenses
Total expenses$115.34M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$46.18M
Grants paid out$20.53M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$166.26M
Cash$56.21M
Investments$74.82M
Liabilities$42.50M
Net assets$123.76M
Liquid reserves13.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +58.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 17
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH BOUCHIE | PRESIDENT & CEO - CURRENT | 61 | $450K |
| JAMES D COX | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - UNTIL SEP 2024 | 45 | $307K |
| SUSAN KOTCHER | VP, EXTERNAL RELATIONS | 48 | $302K |
| PATRICIA MANYARI | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 52 | $301K |
| SHAWN BAKER | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 61 | $298K |
| SATISH RAJ PANDEY | REGIONAL DIRECTOR, ASIA | 43 | $271K |
| MAURA T FITZGERALD | CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFF-UNTIL DEC 2024 | 47 | $264K |
| DAVID DOLEDEC | PROGRAM DIRECTOR, VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION | 41 | $261K |
| RIC PLAISANCE | VP, INFO & OPS SYSTEMS | 53 | $254K |
| SOBANA PRASAD | VP, FINANCE & ACCT - UNTIL MARCH 2025 | 50 | $253K |
| ANGELA M WEAVER | HEAD - CENTER FOR PROGRAM IMPACT | 45 | $253K |
| TREENA BISHOP | CHIEF OF PARTY, BANI - UNTIL AUG 2024 | 44 | $251K |
| THOMAS VAN MOURIK | GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEMS ADVISO | 40 | $243K |
| ROLF KLEMM | VICE PRESIDENT - NUTRITION | 48 | $233K |
| KRISTINE GARN | NUTRITION ADVISOR & COORDINATOR, AFRICA | 42 | $221K |
| VOLKAN CAKIR | HEAD - CENTER FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP | 41 | $203K |
| NICHOLAS KOURGIALIS | VICE PRESIDENT - EYEHEALTH FORMER | 41 | $193K |
board members · 8
- ANTHONY DORMENT — BOARD MEMBER
- BARBARA WALL — BOARD MEMBER
- BROOK BETTS — BOARD MEMBER
- CARLA HALL — BOARD MEMBER - UNTIL DEC 2024
- CHANTAL PIANI — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRISTINE HA — BOARD MEMBER
- CLAIRE PETERSON — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID M GLASSMAN — TREASURER
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- END Fund Partner — Partners with Helen Keller International on neglected tropical disease initiatives in Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
- Grants from government agencies and foundations Funder — Supports implementation of Helen Keller International's programs through funding
- Helen Keller Partner — Organization is named after Helen Keller, honoring her legacy as a trailblazer for vulnerable people and human potential
- Merck & Co., Inc. Partner — Collaborated on the distribution of Mectizan® (ivermectin) for onchocerciasis prevention and control.
- Ministries of Health Partner — Partners with ministries of health in multiple African countries to implement mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases.
- Private Sector Companies Partner — Collaborates with private sector companies in Africa to support large-scale food fortification initiatives, including fortification of bouillon cubes.
- SightSavers Partner — Works with Helen Keller International on neglected tropical disease programs in Tanzania and Nigeria.
- Task Force for Global Health Partner — Collaborates with Helen Keller International on neglected tropical disease programs in Niger.
- VISION 2020: The Right to Sight Coalition — Member of the global initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020.
- academic institutions Partner — Partners with academic institutions on fortification program development and research
- community leaders Partner — Collaborates with community leaders to support women farmers with training and resources.
- community-based organizations Partner — Partners with community-based organizations to deliver vision screenings, eye exams, and prescription glasses to vulnerable populations.
- donors Partner — Collaborates with donors to deliver support to children and families globally.
- governments Partner — Collaborates with governments to develop nationally led food fortification systems
- local organizations Partner — Partners with local organizations to deliver farming supplies and training to women in Africa and Asia.
- other nonprofit partners Partner — Collaborates with nonprofit partners to support scalable fortification systems
- partners Partner — Works with partner organizations to provide timely support for nutrition, health, and vision programs.
- private sector partners Partner — Works with private sector partners to advance food fortification initiatives
- schools Partner — Partners with schools to provide vision screenings, eye exams, and prescription glasses for vulnerable children and adults.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Comprehensive Disease Control via Mass Drug Administration and Community Engagementmethodology: mass_drug_administrationBy delivering mass drug administration through schools and community health workers, and combining it with morbidity management and prevention strategies like the SAFE strategy, the organization achieves high-coverage disease control and long-term elimination of neglected tropical diseases.
- Gender-Integrated Programming to Enhance Equity and Effectivenessmethodology: gender_integrationBy integrating gender equality into program design—such as empowering women in agriculture and prioritizing their health needs—the organization improves both program outcomes and household-level nutrition and well-being.
- Integrated, Evidence-Based Programming for Nutrition and Healthmethodology: evidence_based_scalingBy combining research, field experience, and proven interventions—such as climate-smart agriculture, clinical care, and micronutrient supplementation—into coordinated systems, the organization achieves scalable, sustainable reductions in malnutrition and disease.
- Local-Led Development for Sustainable Impactmethodology: local-led_developmentBy centering local communities in program design and implementation—prioritizing local voices, hiring locally, and directing resources to local partners—solutions are shaped by community knowledge and leadership, leading to more effective, culturally appropriate, and sustainable outcomes.
- System-Strengthening Through Health and Food System Integrationmethodology: system_strengtheningBy embedding interventions within existing national health systems and strengthening local capacity—such as training clinicians and integrating disease treatment into routine care—programs achieve broader reach, long-term sustainability, and greater equity.