Eye See You | OGI Eyewear | Optical Community Support

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

— Anne Frank

Eye See You: Our Way of Giving Back

The power of a small business lies in the independence of its workers, uniqueness of its product assortment and the human-centered nature of its services. With such a close personal tie to their customers, small businesses directly feel the effects of social events and fluctuations. OGI Eyewear is here to help find a solution and help our customers to support independent optical communities during challenging times.

At OGI Eyewear, we stand for clear vision—which includes seeing when people around the world need our help. In May 2020, we started our Eye See You program to help communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years since, it has evolved into a support channel for various humanitarian, health and social causes, both in the U.S. and globally.

OGI Eyewear Partners with Phillips Eye Institue in Support of Back-to-School Eye Care

It has been over a decade since OGI Eyewear became the exclusive eyewear provider for the Phillips Eye Institute’s mobile clinic providing glasses to the program for children in need. This year, on August 23rd, the Kirby Puckett Mobile Eye Clinic came to visit OGI’s offices. Over 700 pairs of OGI Eyewear brand frames were donated to help children start the school year on the right foot.

While OGI Eyewear participates in a variety of philanthropic initiatives through its Eye See You program, the partnership with Phillips Eye holds a special place. “With this partnership, we’re helping the kids down the block, the kids in the hometown that we love so much.” Greg Hodgson, Director of Operations at OGI Eyewear, speaks to this longstanding relationship.

As the exclusive eyewear provider for this project, OGI Eyewear gives these students the full shopping experience. Rather than being stuck with a limited selection that may not reflect each child’s individuality and spirit, they can browse OGI Eyewear’s varied styles and find just the right pair for their back-to-class look.

“OGI Eyewear’s mission has always been to create high-quality, eye-catching styles that amplify the wearers personality,” shared Hodgson, “so seeing young students find the perfect pair that does just that is a great moment of fulfilling our vision.”

Our past contributions

OGI Eyewear has a long history of supporting humanitarian, health, and social causes. View past activities from the Eye See You program and OGI Eyewear brands:

School of Optometry and Vision Science University of Waterloo

In October 2024 we donated frame certificates to benefit the Kitchener-Waterloo community through the School of Optometry's annual fundraiser.

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Global Health Initiative

In October 2024 we donated 100 SCOJO frames to Global Health Initiative, an organization of physicians and medical students, who set up free clinics in Guatemala and distribute frames to meet patient eye care needs.

Optometry Giving Sight

In 2023 and again in 2024 we donated $10k to Optometry Giving Sight. They provide and support programs that focus on educating local eye care providers and help enable access to vision care for all.

They tackle this challenge by establishing optometry-focused education programs and schools, building vision centers where individuals can access eye care, and mobilizing resources to help individuals living as blind or vision impaired.

Sierra Club

To celebrate Earth Day 2024 we donated to Sierra Club. Since its start over 125 years ago, Sierra Club has advocated for the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources and supports communities to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth.

New York City Environmental Justice Alliance

In April 2024 we donated to New York City Environmental Justice Alliance. This citywide membership network links grassroots organizations from low-income neighborhoods and communities of color in their struggle for environmental justice.

Grow NYC

In April 2024 we also donated to Grow NYC, providing essential sustainability services and opportunities to make NYC a greener city. Their mission is to empower all New Yorkers with equitable access to fresh, locally grown food, neighborhood green spaces, and care for the environment.

Couture for Cancer

In March of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, we donated several BluLite frames to Couture for Cancer, a woman-chaired, Topeka-based annual event where hundreds of women gather to fundraise for the American Cancer Society while also celebrating a shared love of fashion. The event raised over $100,000 to aid cancer, and we were honored to have multiple cancer survivors model our frames during their annual runway show!

Center for Justice Innovation

In February 2024 we donated to the Center for Justice Innovation. This organization is dedicated to working with community members and institutions to reimagine what safety looks like in our cities and towns. Incorporating the voices of those the current system can fail is key to improving our public safety and justice systems going forward.

The Marsha P. Johnson Institute

In February 2024 we donated to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. MPJI protects and defends the human rights of BLACK transgender people.

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective

In February 2024 we donated to BEAM, a collective that builds care systems for black communities, and facilitates healing through education, training, and advocacy.

Coalition for the Homeless

We donated 3% of our profits from scojo.com to Coalition for The Homeless this holiday season, from November 1 - December 31, 2023.

In December of 2021 and 2022, we donated 5% of our SCOJO New York profits from a particular Sunday to Coalition for the Homeless to help people who don’t have housing.

The Audre Lorde Project

The third organization we donated profits from the June 2023 Christopher Street SCOJO frames is The Audre Lorde Project, dedicated to supporting queer and trans BIPOC individuals through community education and organizing. Their work centers on community building and empowerment to create a just world in the midst of injustice.

Housing Works

During Pride Month 2023 we also donated the profits from Christopher Street SCOJO frames to Housing Works. This organization provides a healing community for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Their mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain their efforts.

Sage Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders

In June 2023 we donated the profits from Christopher Street SCOJO frames to Sage. Sage is a New York City-based organization serving the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on services for elders in the community.

Stand with Trans.

In July 2024 we made a donation of $250 to Stand with Trans, which provides trans affirming mental health care for transgender and non-binary youth ages 13-24 years old.

During the month of June 2023, 100% of profits from the Article One Avalon sunglasses, were donated to Stand with Trans.

The H Foundation

In 2023, all profits from the specially-created SCOJO New York The H Frame, a beautiful purple edition of our Gels Original style, are going to support The H Foundation as they raise money for basic cancer research.

In 2022, Article One The H Foundation sunglasses raised a total of $14,549 for the H Foundation research.

Black Writers Collective

In February of 2023 we donated 100% of the profits from the Leroy SCOJO frame to he Black Writers Collective, an organization focused on creating opportunities for Black writers and editors They share employment possibilities, offer support, and connect Black writers with other creatives.

In 2022 $500 was donated to the Black Writers Collective, thank you to everyone who contributed with their purchase of Broome Street!

The King Center

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we donated 100% of profits from SCOJO Rockefeller frame to the King Center for Social Justice.

In January of 2021, our SCOJO New York brand donated 20% of its revenue for products sold on Martin Luther King day to the King Center. We wanted to celebrate this vital holiday not just in style but also with an eye toward a future that embraces peace, compassion, and equality—three things Dr. King fought and died for.

University of Waterloo - School of Optometry & Vision Science

We donated to the University of Waterloo - School of Optometry & Vision Science's Holiday Charity Raffle. This Year they were able to raise $2040 for Barbara Nwokoro who is currently fighting Cancer.

Project Homeless Connect / Homeless Communities In Need

In 2023, we donated 100 SCOJO New York readers to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
In November of 2020, our SCOJO New York brand donated 300 frames to homeless communities in San Francisco, California, and 100 frames to homeless communities in Denver, Colorado. Donations were made via Project Homeless Connect in San Francisco and via Daniel Fieldman with The Optical Journal in Denver.

Seneca College of Optometry

In September and October 2023, OGI Eyewear donated frames to Seneca College of Optometry in Toronto for their students to learn how to work with quality eyewear. This is the second year supporting Seneca College.

U of M Mobile Health Initiative

In October 2023, SCOJO New York donated 100 pairs of reading glasses to the University of Minnesota's Mobile Health Vision Clinic, which provides eyecare and healthcare to underserved local communities in Minnesota.

Phillips Eye Institute

In August 2024 we donated 1000 frames and cases to the Phillips Eye Institute.

Since 2020, we donated over 2000 OGI, Seraphin, and OGI Kids frames to the Phillips Eye Institute, a department of Abbott Northwestern dedicated to the treatment of eye diseases and disorders. Since our engagement started with this program, we’ve supported it with a frame retail value of over $2 million.

SandCastles Camp

In 2022 and 2023, OGI Eyewear sponsored a camper at the SandCastles Camp, a summer program for children experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one. Campers participate in traditional activities like swimming and crafts in a supportive environment.

Hurricane Fiona Relief Efforts

Following the devastation of Hurricane Fiona in 2022, OGI Eyewear and Optical Foundry Partners matched employee donations to the American and Canadian Red Cross. The total donation, including employee contributions, a dollar-for-dollar match, and additional company donations was $10,000, split evenly between the two organizations.

The Eye See You Program reinforces our commitment to build up communities with your help .