The Giving Directory
⚕

Health & Medical

Seva Foundation

Supports eye care programs that restore sight and prevent blindness in low-income communities.

★★★★ 100% on Charity Navigator · checked Oct 2026

At a glance

Rating 100% 4 of 4 stars · Charity Navigator See the rating ↗
EIN (tax ID) 38-2231279 Tax-exempt since 1979 IRS filings ↗
Revenue (2024) $10.0M Expenses $13.2M
Founded 1978 Asia, Africa

Rating and filings checked Oct 13, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check

Is Seva Foundation a good charity?

Seva Foundation holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 100%. Its 2024 Form 990 reports $10.0M in revenue, up 36% from $7.4M in 2020, and $13.2M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.

Finances

From Seva Foundation's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as Seva Foundation).

Year Revenue Expenses Net assets Officer & key staff pay Filing
2024 $10.0M $13.2M $32.0M $468K 990 PDF
2023 $10.4M $12.6M $33.7M $464K 990 PDF
2022 $12.4M $10.9M $34.8M $618K 990 PDF
2021 $7.7M $10.5M $38.1M $593K 990 PDF
2020 $7.4M $9.4M $36.7M $420K 990 PDF

A newer filing for 2025 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2025 Form 990 (PDF).

Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.

What charities in health & medical do

Health and medical charities deliver care through a combination of direct service (clinics, mobile units, hospital ships), supply distribution (bed nets, vaccines, vitamin supplements), and partnerships with ministries of health and local healthcare workers. The most cost-effective operate in low- and middle-income countries where every dollar reaches further. Funding supports medicine procurement, clinical staffing, training local healthcare workers, and infrastructure like cold-chain logistics for vaccines.

How to judge charities in this area

For global health charities, look for evidence based on randomized controlled trials, transparent cost-per-life-saved or cost-per-DALY (disability-adjusted life year) figures, and recent independent reviews. GiveWell's published cost-effectiveness analyses are the most rigorous public resource. For US-focused health charities, check the program-to-overhead ratio and how they measure patient outcomes, not just patients served.

How to support beyond a one-time gift

  • + Recurring monthly gifts let organizations plan procurement of bed nets, medicines, and equipment
  • + Designate gifts to a specific program rather than the general fund if you want clearer impact reporting
  • + Use employer matching programs — many companies double or triple gifts to registered health nonprofits
  • + Donate appreciated stock instead of cash to avoid capital gains tax
  • + Spread the word on social media — many health charities note that awareness drives a measurable share of new donors

Verify before you give

A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Seva Foundation:

Frequently asked

Is Seva Foundation a good charity?
Seva Foundation holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 100%. Its 2024 Form 990 reports $10.0M in revenue, up 36% from $7.4M in 2020, and $13.2M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.
What is Seva Foundation's Charity Navigator rating?
Charity Navigator rates Seva Foundation 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 100% (checked Oct 13, 2026). Charity Navigator's score combines accountability and finance, leadership, impact measurement, and culture.
What is Seva Foundation's EIN?
Seva Foundation's employer identification number (EIN) is 38-2231279, registered with the IRS as Seva Foundation (Berkeley, CA). Use it to look the charity up on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, Charity Navigator, or ProPublica.
How much money does Seva Foundation raise and spend?
Its 2024 Form 990 reports $10.0M in revenue, up 36% from $7.4M in 2020, and $13.2M in expenses. Total pay to current officers, directors and key employees was $468K. Full filings are on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer.
Are donations to Seva Foundation tax-deductible?
Seva Foundation is a US tax-exempt organization, recognized by the IRS since 1979. Gifts to 501(c)(3) charities are generally deductible if you itemize; confirm its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search with EIN 38-2231279.

Represent Seva Foundation? Add a free, self-updating rating badge to your website →