The Rhode Island Foundation Program for the Blind
Four special funds at the Foundation relate to services for individuals who are blind or who have visual impairment:
- Alvina Legere Fund, established in 2003
- Helen Walker Raleigh Vision, established in 2006
- Dorothy Hackney Smith Fund, established in 1980
- Ellen and Harry Smith Fund, established in 2010
These funds enable the Foundation to play a major role in servicing the legally blind and visually impaired in Rhode Island. Priority will be given to programs that focus on medical research for macular degeneration and support systems for those affected by that condition.
Eligibility
The Program for the Blind will consider applications from nonprofit organizations that support and work with vision research such as macular degeneration and for programs in support of services such as guide dogs, camps, etc. Other applications will benefit those with blindness and vision loss in other ways.
The Foundation will fund a total of $175,000 this year. Generally, grants for this program will range from $10,000 to $75,000.
Criteria
The Foundation will use the following criteria in making funding decisions:
- Serves a well-defined population in Rhode Island
- Assists visually impaired individuals in Rhode Island to move toward economic self-sufficiency
- Advances innovative solutions for people affected by blindness or vision loss
- Develops research-based solutions to the underlying disease or condition that causes blindness or vision loss, particularly macular degeneration
- Successful applicants will address one or more of the above criteria
Please address these criteria in the Narrative portion of the application.
Application Deadline
Grants are awarded annually. Applications are due September 21, 2012; awards will be announced in early November.
To Apply
Please submit:
An organization may apply for more than one grant, but we recommend you contact us to discuss your proposal in advance. Please see contact information at right.
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