About
Operation Smile Inc. is a global medical nonprofit headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, that provides free surgery and comprehensive care for people born with cleft lip and cleft palate. Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill Magee and Kathy Magee, the organization has treated more than 500,000 patients over four decades and now works in 37 countries, grounded in its belief that access to safe surgery is not a privilege, but a universal human right.
Mission
Operation Smile works to bridge gaps in access to safe surgical care, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care. The organization believes access to safe surgery is not a privilege, but a universal human right.
What they do
Operation Smile's work spans five main areas:
- Comprehensive cleft care — free surgical and related care for patients with cleft lip and cleft palate
- Education and training — building local surgical capacity by training healthcare providers (more than 6,500 healthcare providers trained in 2024)
- Policy and advocacy — advancing access to safe surgery in health systems
- Thought leadership and research
- Youth empowerment programs
A newer initiative, Operation 100, aims to expand surgical access beyond cleft care.
History
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by Bill and Kathy Magee and has grown over more than four decades into a global nonprofit focused on expanding access to safe surgical care. Co-founder Kathy Magee serves as President and CEO, and co-founder Dr. Bill Magee, M.D., D.D.S., serves as CEO emeritus.
Scale and impact
Figures published by Operation Smile include:
- More than 500,000 patients treated since its founding
- Direct cleft care provided in 37 countries
- More than 6,000 volunteers globally
- More than 6,500 healthcare providers trained in 2024
Financials
According to IRS filings compiled by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 54-1460147), Operation Smile Inc reported total revenue of about 95.1 million dollars — including roughly 92.5 million dollars in contributions and grants — and total expenses of about 87.8 million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 2023, with total assets of about 117.6 million dollars. The IRS Business Master File lists more recent revenue of about 100.2 million dollars for the fiscal year ending mid-2025.
Governance
Operation Smile is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, led by co-founders Kathy Magee (President and CEO) and Dr. Bill Magee (CEO emeritus), and states a commitment to maximizing donor impact through efficient resource allocation.