SAN RAFAEL, Calif. and NEW YORK—RestoringVision and VisionSpring have been selected as official Vanguard Members of the Million Lives Club, which celebrates innovators and social entrepreneurs who are doing work that improves the lives of people living on less than $5 a day.  Inspired by the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA), the Million Lives Club is supported by a partnership of companies and recognizes the importance of a customer-centric focus in global development. The group also believes that highlighting social innovators will act as a powerful platform to encourage innovations for global good, everywhere.

Vanguard members are those who have directly impacted over 1 million clients.

Since 2003, RestoringVision has provided high-quality glasses to people living on less than $2 a day. Through strategic partnerships and a vast distribution network, RestoringVision has impacted the lives of more than 15 million people in more than 130 countries around the world.

“RestoringVision is honored to be recognized by the Million Lives Club for the work that we do to empower people through the gift of sight,” Pelin Munis, executive director, said in an announcement. “Lack of access to glasses is one of the biggest global health crises, yet this is not well-known. Through their recognition, the Million Lives Club is helping us bring much needed attention to this issue and work toward a world where everyone who needs glasses has them.”

VisionSpring, founded in 2001, is being recognized for its contribution of more than $1.2 billion in economic impact for people living on less than $5 per day.

"We are honored be named a Vanguard member of the Million Lives Club,” said Ella Gudwin, VisionSpring’s CEO. “It took us 10 years to reach our millionth customer. Now, with our partners, we are correcting the vision of over 1.2 million people annually, and we are on track to reach our 10 millionth customer by 2021. Working with members of IDIA and other MLC innovators to collaborate, learn together and put customers first will enhance our collective outcomes and ability to scale,” Gudwin added. VisionSpring’s goal to reach 10 million customers will create $2.1B in economic impact for low-income households."

The Million Lives Club was established to collectively highlight social innovators who have reached transformative numbers of clients and will act as a powerful platform to encourage the uptake and scaling of innovations; illustrate the importance of innovation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals; and increase the use of social entrepreneurs and innovators as key delivery partners for development agencies.

The Million Lives Club (MLC) is comprised of three cohorts of innovators and social entrepreneurs who are improving the lives of people living on less than $5 a day:

• MLC Vanguard: Celebrates those who have directly impacted 1,000,000+ clients with their innovations

• MLC Voyager: Recognizes innovations expected to impact 1,000,000+ clients within 18 months

• MLC Pioneer Highlights innovations that have scaled to meet the needs of 40%+ of their target populations.