This list is not intended to be a complete listing of all organizations which provide financial assistance, nor is it intended to be an endorsement of any organization or publication. Most of the sources included are nationwide in scope. College scholarships are listed on our scholarship resource list.
Medical
Adaptive Equipment & Technology
Other Organizations and Agencies
Additional Resources
Medical
Eye Bank for Sight Restoration
120 Wall St.
New York, NY 10005-3902
(212) 742-9000
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.eyedonation.org/
Collects and distributes healthy donated corneas for transplantation. Operates a state-of-the-art Ocular Laboratory and employs advanced techniques in preparing donor tissue for successful transplant surgeries. Also has a Professional Education program, which provides healthcare and medical professionals with up-to-date information about eye donation. Its Public Education efforts create awareness in the community about the need for increased eye donation and the good that it can do.
EyeCare America
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
Phone: (415) 561-8500
Fax: (415) 561-8533
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.aao.org/eyecare-america
Provides eye care through a pool of more than 32,000 medical doctors. Has the EyeSmart program, which educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve healthy vision. Also has the Museum of the Eye, a free, public museum dedicated to the fascinating science of sight.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
Robert W. Bigley, KGC, Assistant Secretary/Office Administrator
3201 Cross Timbers Rd., Bldg. 4 Ste. 300
Flower Mound, TX 75028
(214) 888-0220
Fax: (214) 888-0230
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.ktef.org/
Participates in the Seniors Eye Care Program in partnership with EyeCare America and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Mission Cataract USA
Fresno, CA
(559) 757-1629
Website: https://missioncataractusa.org/home
Offers free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no means to pay. To qualify, applicants must have: poor vision due to cataracts that is uncorrectable with glasses, which interferes with activities of daily living; no Medicare, Medicaid, or third-party insurance coverage, and no other means to pay for cataract surgery.
New Eyes for the Needy
PO Box 332
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Fax: (973) 376-3807
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://new-eyes.org/
Purchases new prescription eyeglasses through a voucher program for children and adults in the United States who cannot afford glasses on their own. You can send your old or unwanted jewelry, the proceeds from which are used to provide eyeglasses.
Adaptive Equipment & Technology
California Council of the Blind
2413 Hurley Way, Suite 102
Sacramento, CA 95825
Toll-free (CA Only): 1-800-221-6359
Telephone: (916) 441-2100
Fax: (916) 441-2188
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ccbnet.org/
Provides low-interest loans to blind and visually impaired residents of California for special equipment needed to enhance employability.
Missouri Council of the Blind
5453 Chippewa St.
St. Louis, MO 63109
(314) 832-7172
Toll-free: 1-800-342-5632 (Missouri only)
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.moblind.org/mcb-adaptive-tech-grant-program
Has a matching grant program of up to $3,000 over a five-year period for the purchase of adaptive technology. Legally blind residents of Missouri are eligible to apply.
Other Organizations and Agencies
Social Security Administration
To send email, go to https://secure.ssa.gov/emailus/
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/
Local office locator: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
There are two programs under Social Security that may be helpful to people who meet the legal definition of blindness:
- Benefits based on earnings in work covered by Social Security if one has sufficient time in such work to make one eligible; and
- Supplemental Security Income payable to people who are aged, blind or disabled and have little in the way of income and resources.
Disabled and blind children may benefit from the programs. Call 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.
Lions Clubs International
300 W. 22nd St.
Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842
(630) 571-5466
Fax (630) 571-8890
To send email, go to https://lionshelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000118928.
Website: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en
To find a local club: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/club-locator
Local chapters of Lions Clubs may provide financial assistance to individuals. To find a local Lions chapter, contact your local Chamber of Commerce. If they do not have a listing, contact the national Lions office (listed above) and leave your name, contact information and assistance request; it will be forwarded to your nearest local chapter.
National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center
Website: https://at3center.net/
State program locator: https://at3center.net/state-at-programs/
Has an online directory of state programs that may help fund assistive technology, have loaner programs, and more.
Many state governments provide a variety of programs and services to the blind and visually impaired such as low interest mortgage loans, property tax credits and a variety of other financial assistance. Contact your local government agency for specific information in your state.
Many local vocational rehabilitation offices provide financial assistance for adaptive equipment and may also be able to identify other organizations who provide assistance. Contact your local office for detailed information.
Additional Sources
In addition to the sources listed above, some organizations have loans which are available only to persons in their immediate area or state or who are members of their particular group.
Check with your state rehabilitation office, local and state blindness organizations and nearby adaptive equipment vendors to see if there are any further loans available in your area.
Updated May 9, 2023