Our Grant Guidelines
Reader's Digest Partners For Sight Foundation is committed to providing support that directly improves the lives of the blind and visually-impaired, helping them realize their full potential in society. To this end, we'd like you to be aware of our grant making initiatives. If your organization is working to help blind or visually-impaired individuals realize their maximum potential, we can help you make a difference.
Grants are available to organizations working on both a local and a national level, although priority is given to organizations located in the Maine to Washington, DC corridor.
Grants are generally made for program start-up or improvement, but in some cases general operating support is provided.
Actual grant amounts, if approved, will vary according to the need and scope of the recipients' requests. Although exceptions are made, first time grant recipients generally receive between $5,000 to $25,000.
Click here to view examples of past grant awards.
Grants will be made to not-for-profit organizations serving the blind and visually impaired.
Grants are available for programs that include:
- Clear objectives and measurable results
- A sound budget with the potential to attract funding beyond the life of a
Partners for Sight grant
- A strong communications strategy to publicize the program
- Evidence of the program's ability to make a difference in the lives of the people it is intended to serve
Exclusions - Grants will not be made to:
- Individuals
- Organizations that do not have 501( c )(3) tax-exempt status
- Lobbying organizations
- Medical research activities
- Charities operating outside of the United States
Grant proposals are accepted any time during the year, however, be advised that decisions are made at the RDPFS quarterly board meetings (March, June, September, December). If applicable, site visits will be conducted or we will ask you to visit us here in Pleasantville, prior to full board review of the proposal.
If you have any questions regarding eligibility requirements, potential funding availability, or the application procedure, please
contact us.
Providing all eligibility requirements are met, please submit a proposal which includes the following information:
- Organization name and contact information
- Title of proposed program or project
- Period for which funding is being sought
- A summary of proposed program that includes:
-the population to be served
-the needs to be met
-the project's objectives and how its success will be measured
- The size of the grant being requested and how the monies would be spent
- How funding for the program would be secured beyond the life of the grant
- A complete listing of secured or potential funding for the proposed program
Please also include the following documents:
- Most recent audited financial statements
- Operating expense budget, and the budget for the proposed project
- Most recent annual report, if available
Along with the proposal, please enclose documents showing proof of your organization's 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code.
Mail all materials to:
Reader's Digest
Partners for Sight Foundation
Reader's Digest Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570-7000
Attn:
Dianna Kelly-Naghizadeh
Grant Program Manager
or send an e-mail to:
PartnersForSight@rd.com
