(PRESS RELEASE) GOLDEN, CO – Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is now accepting pre-applications for its grant program that funds sustainable, optometry-based projects to end preventable blindness and vision impairment throughout the world. Pre-applications will be accepted until Midnight MST March 20, 2024. Organizations that pass the pre-application process will be invited to submit a full grant proposal in early April. Final grant awards will be announced in August.
OGS funds organizations that focus on the following:
- Programs involving optometry where there is a clear outline of optometry’s involvement in and benefits to the program
- Establishment or support of optometry schools, eye clinics, vision centers, and optical labs
- Programs that deliver eye exams and low- or no-cost glasses to underserved or marginalized populations and include a strong optometry education and training component
- Integrated, long-term optometry-related programs with a view towards sustainability
- Service delivery tied to optometry education and/or the development of optometry
Organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), Canadian registered charities and international charities are eligible for funding. There are no geographic restrictions on the locations of the projects. However, priority is given to programs that are in parts of the world where optometry is not a well-developed profession.
To be considered, organizations must be nonpartisan and will not be eligible for funding if their parent company is a large corporation. Programs that include only vision screenings, basic eye exams, and eyeglass distribution will also not be considered.
As “Optometry’s Charity™,” OGS raises funds from optometrists, optometry practices, and optometry-related businesses and corporations to award grants for sustainable, impactful projects that expand the profession and improve access to vision care in underserved areas of the world. During the last 20 years, OGS has: awarded more than 180 grants for primary eye care services for more than 8 million people; funded the training of more than 14,000 optometrists and eye care personnel; established more than 130 vision centers in underserved areas and; served individuals of all ages in more than 40 countries. Optometry Giving Sight is located in Golden, Colorado, and Calgary, Alberta.
Prospective grantees may learn more here.