Nonprofit and for-profit organizations shouldn't be afraid to mix. At least that's the philosophy the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) and Optelec U.S. Inc. have taken in their recently announced partnership.
FFB, a nonprofit with chapters dispersed throughout the United States, will combine its aggressive research into retinal degenerative diseases with Optelec's dedication to crafting cutting-edge assistive technologies for the visually impaired. The overarching goal is to merge research, solutions -- and most importantly -- awareness into one solid effort.
"This partnership will allow us to take the FFB platform and use some corporate muscle to create more awareness," says Andre Hardy, Optelec's vice president of sales and marketing.
Each year, the FFB puts on numerous fundraisers, such as VisionWalks and Dining in the Dark, around the nation to help raise funds and generate awareness for eye-related diseases. Optelec now plans to help fund such events as well as launch an initiative called VisionZones, in which FFB members can be educated about preventative measures as well as available technology to assist those already suffering from impaired vision.
"Often times it's difficult to get through to people who have just been diagnosed with a degenerative disease," says Stephanie Wells, development director for FFB. "They may become reclusive because they feel like they can't go out and do things. When we team up with technology like this, we can give people options."
It's simply a match meant to be. FFB will increase its funding for research and awareness initiatives, while Optelec will gain access to more than 350,000 FFB members affected by visual impairments.
Both Hardy and Wells tell Aging News Alert they do not foresee any major problems with the nonprofit and commercial partnership other than a few minor logistical issues, but they do stress that such a partnership must be based on the right reasons. "You can't force a relationship just to increase your funds," advises Wells. "You have to treat the nonprofit like the business that it is."
In order to make the partnership work, both organizations need to have a similar mission, says Hardy. In the case of FFB and Optelec, boosting awareness is the common goal.
Possessing the infrastructure to achieve ambitious goals and finding personnel willing to communicate with each other are also essential in this type of relationship. Indeed, sometimes businesses have trouble communicating with one another, says Hardy. However, that hasn't been the case with Optelec and FFB. "We've found that we can really talk to the folks at FFB," he says.
It's too early in the game to see exactly how a partnership of this nature will play out, but with FFB's broad base and Optelec's international influence, the two organizations certainly seem capable of accomplishing their ambitious goal of raising awareness about visual impairment and its treatment. -- Brandon Stumbo
Many Thanks to CD Publications: http://www.cdpublications.com
Info: For more information onOptelec, call 800/335-7970 or visit http://www.optelec.com/en_US/home; for more about FFB, call 877/782-7330 or visit http://www.fightblindness.org/