Helen Keller, our co-founder, overcame tremendous obstacles to her health and wellbeing – and helped millions of others to do the same. Guided by her remarkable legacy, we have partnered with communities that are striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty for more than 100 years. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives.

Since we were founded in 1915, our work has evolved from providing assistance to soldiers blinded during their service in World War I. Today, our programs prioritize preventing and treating vision loss and blindness—as well as addressing major global health problems such as malnutrition and neglected diseases that threaten sight, productivity, and well-being.

In Africa, Asia, Europe, and the U.S., Helen Keller International’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change. We build the capacity of local government, non-profit and private sector systems and infrastructure, and promote the development of sustained, large scale programs that deliver effective solutions to preventable vision loss and malnutrition.

Guided by Helen’s vision and optimism, we believe it is possible to eliminate preventable vision loss, malnutrition, and neglected tropical diseases and improve the well-being of millions of children and vulnerable families.

Our Mission

Helen Keller overcame tremendous obstacles to her health and wellbeing – and helped millions of others to do the same. Guided by her remarkable legacy, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities that are striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives. Together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring that every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

Our Vision

A world where no one is deprived of the opportunity to live a healthy life – and reach their true potential.

Our Values

Our core values guide everything we do.

Rigor

Dedication to best practice, accountability, continuous learning, and application of evidence-based approaches within and across all aspects of our programs and operations.

Integrity

A commitment to put our best foot forward every day and to steward the resources entrusted to us with honestly, fairness, transparency, and professionalism at all times. Consistency between our words and actions.

Grit

Determination to overcome obstacles just as our co-founder did. A willingness to articulate problems and find and implement solutions to them positively, creatively, and with ambition and resolve.

Compassion

Demonstrated empathy for our program participants, partners, donors, and colleagues. Mutual respect and a deliberate focus on inclusiveness, responsiveness, and collaboration.