Lavelle Fund Grant Program is sponsored by Lavelle Fund For The Blind Inc.. The Lavelle Fund for the Blind provides financial support to organizations for specific projects that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired live independent and productive lives. Funding is concentrated on program creation, expansion, or enhancement within three primary areas: Medical Eye Care (ophthalmic services, training, and systems strengthening), Vision Rehabilitation & Resources (adaptive skills, assistive technology, and vocational support), and Education Support Services (K-12 and university-level support). General operating support is rarely provided.

Geographic focus: Priority is given to programs in the Greater New York metropolitan area (NY, NJ, CT), with consideration for national and international projects (predominantly in Latin America).

Focus areas: Medical Eye Care, Vision Rehabilitation & Resources, Education Support Services, Visual Impairment, Blindness Prevention

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Funding Criteria and Limitations Funding Criteria and Limitations Funding Criteria and Limitations The Lavelle Fund for the Blind provides financial support to organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or verifiable non-U.S. charitable status (in the case of foreign-based, non-profit organizations without a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) fiscal intermediary).

Most Fund-supported grants are designated for specific projects, focusing on the creation, expansion or enhancement of programs. While priority for direct service grants generally is given to programs in the New York Tri-State Area, the Fund also considers grant requests with wider impact both nationally and internationally.

The Fund does not make grants to any of the following: Medical research programs Advocacy efforts to influence legislation or elections Organizations seeking support for deficit reduction Domestic funding outside of the New York Tri-State area is generally reserved for programs with wider, national reach, or potential to address systemic problems.

While the Fund has a limited presence in Asia and Africa, the majority of our new projects are focused in Latin America.

Photo courtesy of The Carroll Center for the Blind Capacity building of ophthalmic personnel, provision of ophthalmic treatment and surgery for cataracts and other common eye disorders, vision screenings and refractive error correction, and wide-scale systems strengthening for delivery of accessible and affordable primary eye care.

Photo by Julie Nestingen, 2015 Vision Rehabilitation & Resources Direct services that provide people who are blind or visually impaired with access to adaptive skills and assistive technology training, low vision rehab services, vocational support and certain recreational activities.

Photo courtesy of Lighthouse Guild Education Support Services K-12, university and graduate-level educational services for students who are blind or visually impaired and training for teachers, para-professionals, and other professionals who serve and support them. Photo courtesy of Adaptive Design Association, Inc. All grant submissions must be made through our online grants management system (Temelio).

We do not accept funding requests, proposals, or grant reports via mail, email, or phone. Current or former grantees should contact us before submitting an application to confirm their program/project aligns within our current funding priorities. If eligible, we will invite you to submit a 1–2-page concept note and a high-level budget through Temelio.

Due to an unprecedented volume of funding requests, we are placing a temporary pause on Letters of Inquiry from organizations that are new to the Fund. Please check our website periodically for updates. We appreciate your understanding.

Photo courtesy of Lighthouse Guild