(PRESS RELEASE) GOLDEN, CO — In support of its mission to end preventable blindness and vision impairment through the establishment of long-term solutions around the world, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has opened the call for applications for its 2023 grant cycle.
OGS funds organizations that focus on optometry-centric programs including the establishment or support of optometry schools, eye clinics, vision centers, and optical labs; the delivery of eye exams and low or no-cost glasses to underserved or marginalized populations; integrated, long-term programs with a view toward providing sustained eye care to communities; and service delivery tied to the education and/or development of optometry.
“Hundreds of millions of people around the world do not have access to basic eye care, and as a result suffer from avoidable uncorrected refractive error. The organizations and projects we support are dedicated to providing more than short-term care; they expand optometry’s reach and long-term impact. By enabling people in underserved communities to pursue education and training in this field, they are able to deliver vision care to change the lives of thousands of others for years to come,” said Lois Schoenbrun, CAE (Ret.), FAAO, OGS executive director, North America. “We firmly believe in the importance of this type of work, which is unique to OGS, and look forward to helping fund the organizations that make it happen.”
Grants average $25,000 to $45,000 USD/CAD, and can range up to $100,000. Awards are contingent upon the nature of the project, the amount of funds available, and the number and range of applications submitted. For the first time this year, OGS will consider applications for multi-year funding.
Domestic and international nonprofit organizations interested in applying for funding from OGS must complete a pre-qualification questionnaire by March 20. Organizations that qualify for further consideration will be emailed access to the full application by the end of the month. Funding decisions will be announced in July.
To be eligible for funding, organizations must qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or be a registered Canadian or international charity. For further information about eligibility and the OGS grant process, visit here.
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Over the last 20 years, OGS funding has provided basic eye care services to more than 8 million people, assisted with training more than 14,000 eye care personnel, established more than 130 vision centers, and served people in more than 40 countries. In the last two years alone, OGS has provided funding to more than 30 project partners around the world, totaling more than $1.5 million in grants. For more information or to donate, visit here.
