BRONZE2022

MACULAR DEGENERATION SUPPORT INC

The Eyes of the Low Vision Community

aka MD Support   |   Lee's Summit, MO   |  http://www.mdsupport.org

Mission

To provide information and support for people who are affected by macular degeneration and similar retinal diseases.

Ruling year info

2000

Principal Officer

Mr. Dan Roberts

Main address

460 SW Tower Park Drive Apt 412

Lee's Summit, MO 64081 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

43-1871436

NTEE code info

Eye Diseases, Blindness and Vision Impairments (G41)

Eye (H41)

Counseling Support Groups (F60)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

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Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

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Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

International Low Vision Support Group

A global network of more than live support groups hosted by retirement centers, senior
organizations, clinics and libraries. Through monthly Internet webcasts and telephone support meetings, MD Support is reaching thousands of previously "unconnected"
seniors with the information and resources necessary for living successfully with vision loss. The programs are archived for free public viewing in the MD Support Audio/Visual Library.
This project was initiated in part through receipt of the National Eye Institute's 2006 Healthy Vision Community Award, and it continues under generous corporate sponsorship.

Population(s) Served

A large Internet web site including over 1,600 links to agencies and organizations for the blind, state agencies, vision centers, and dealers in low vision devices, audio books, and large-print reading materials. Also on the site is a low vision bookstore, an informational library with more than 120
articles written for the layperson, a comprehensive glossary of
ophthalmologic terms, more than 80 educational photo essays and audio/visual presentations, and an Internet portal
to other MD-related organizations. In addition, MD Support hosts a telephone hotline, an email discussion group (MDList), and an Internet message board (MDForum).

Population(s) Served
Caregivers
Widows and widowers
People with vision impairments
Chronically ill people
Seniors

Where we work

Awards

Distinguished Service Award 2004

Low Vision Rehabilitation Section of the American Optometric Association

Affiliations & memberships

Prevent Blindness America 2012

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

The principal goal of MD Support is to ensure that all low vision seniors have access to the resources and personal assistance necessary for maintaining quality of life.

MD Support provides free and easy access to information about all aspects of low vision through Internet and print publications, social sites, and live support groups.

MD Support maintains excellent long-time relationships with all major low vision organizations, commercial suppliers of low vision software and devices, the professional community, and the patient community. This is accomplished through organizational memberships, social media, print publications, Internet presence, attendance at conferences, and speaking engagements.

MD Support provides direct program services to live support groups in 36 states and 13 countries, with the number continuing to increase. Numbers of visits to the MD Support website and subscriptions to news broadcasts continue to grow. In addition, more than 1500 people have subscribed to the organization's email discussion group and web message board since their inception. MD Support continues to reach out through every possible means to raise awareness about its services.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

MACULAR DEGENERATION SUPPORT INC
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

MACULAR DEGENERATION SUPPORT INC

Board of directors
as of 11/29/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Dan Roberts

MD Support

Term: 1999 -

Dan Roberts

Christina Roberts

Julie James

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Not applicable
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 10/1/2019
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person with a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 10/01/2019

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.