How to Apply

 

  • The Fund uses an online grants management system (CyberGrants) for all grant submissions. We no longer accept proposals or grant reports by mail or email.
  • Please review the What We Fund page prior to submitting a proposal to ensure that your organization is eligible to receive funding, and that your project is in alignment with our mission.
  • If you have never previously received funding from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, please complete this questionnaire or click on the Online Application button to the right.
  • If you are a current or former grantee, please contact us directly prior to submitting an application to ensure your program/project fits within our current funding priorities. If your program/project meets our current funding objectives, we will invite you to send us, initially, a one-to-two page Letter of Intent (LOI) of the proposed program/project discussed. This LOI should include:
    1. Name of the program/project
    2. Summary of program/project narrative including:
      • program/project description
      • amount of request
      • need to be addressed
      • potential number of people to be impacted
      • how the program/project will be implemented, and specifically how it will gain traction and how success will be measured
      • arguments that show long-term sustainability is possible
    3. Top-line budget (attached separately in Excel format only – NO PDF files please)


If your project appropriately addresses the Fund’s criteria for selection and priorities, we will request that you submit a more detailed proposal, using our online grants management system, which includes, but is not limited to, project narrative and budget, organization’s current-year operating budget, other sources of funding, Board list as well as a complete set of the two most recent audited financials for your organization. If you are a first-time user or if you need help retrieving your log-in credentials for accessing the Fund’s grants management portal, please contact our office for further assistance.

Grant proposals may be submitted at any time, however, please be advised that decisions are made at the Fund’s quarterly board meetings (January, April, July, and October). Site visits or meetings are generally scheduled for grant requests that are candidates for Board review. Applicants with questions about the Fund’s grant application or review procedures should feel free to contact the Fund.

ChildSight technician fitting young girl with glasses

Courtesy of Helen Keller International