Four special funds at the Foundation relate to services for individuals who are blind or who have visual impairments. These funds enable the Foundation to play a 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 research focused on macular degeneration. Applications will also be considered for programs in support of services such as guide dogs, summer camp for children with low-vision and blindness, and other services for the visually impaired. Applications will also be accepted to benefit those with blindness and vision loss in other ways.

Generally, grants for research and support services range from $10,000 to $75,000 and grants for summer camps range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Criteria

The Foundation will use the following criteria in making funding decisions:

• Must be a Rhode Island nonprofit serving a well-defined population in Rhode Island;
• Responds to one of the Fund for the Blind priority areas:
  • Assists visually impaired individuals in Rhode Island to move towards 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; and
  • Summer camps for Rhode Island children with low-vision and blindness.
• Clearly state an identified community need;
• Has clearly stated goals, objectives and measurable outcomes;
• Organization has a proven and relevant track record in this field;
• Organization has the capacity to implement the proposal; and
• There is a clear sustainability plan.

Application deadline

There are two separate grant cycles:

1. Applications for summer camps and other summer programs must be submitted by midnight (EST) on April 28, 2023.
2. Applications focused on research, support systems, and other services must be submitted by midnight (EST) on August 11, 2023.

Please note that technical assistance will not be available after 5 p.m. (EST).

To apply

For programs focused on vision research such as macular degeneration, programs in support of services such as guide dogs, and other applications that will benefit those with blindness and vision loss in other ways, a complete application package includes:

• Completed application form, submitted through our online system; and
• Completed budget form, also submitted through our online system.

For summer camps and summer programs for Rhode Island children with low-vision and blindness, a complete application package includes:

• Completed application form, submitted through our online system; and
• Completed budget form, also submitted through our online system.

Applications are available six weeks prior to the deadline.

To complete an application that is already in progress, and to submit, please click here.