How much funding does Community Grants Program provide?

Community Grants Program provides $5,000 - $50,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Community Grants Program?

The deadline is December 31, 2026.

Community Grants Program

AID ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND OF

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits Grants for Disabled Community Services Grants

Funding Amount

$5,000 - $50,000

Deadline

December 31, 2026

212 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Aid Association for the Blind of DC Community Grants Program

Funder: Aid Association for the Blind of the District of Columbia

Founded: 1898

Mission: Provide support services for blind residents of Washington, DC and the Metropolitan DC area.

Geographic Scope

Service Area: Washington, DC metropolitan area (including DC, Maryland, and Virginia)
Beneficiaries: Must serve residents in the DC metropolitan area

Focus Areas

Grants are awarded across three interconnected focus areas:

1. Vision & Medical Care
- Preventing blindness before it starts
- Funding surgeries for patients who cannot afford them
- Supporting medical practitioners and vision rehabilitation education

2. Social Services
- Daily life navigation services
- Housing and independent living support
- Education and workforce development
- Community connection and social isolation reduction

3. Systemic Change
- Making infrastructure accessible (crosswalks, polling places, etc.)
- Expanding career opportunities
- Advocating for rights of people who are blind or have low vision
- Policy influence and systemic barrier removal

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Requirements:

Must have IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Must be in good standing with federal and local governments

Must operate within the DC metropolitan area

Must serve residents in the DC metropolitan area

Clear, measurable objectives with demonstrable impact for people who are blind or visually impaired

Sustainable outcomes beyond the grant period (when applicable)

Financial Requirements:

Submission of detailed project budget

Most recent year-end profit and loss (P&L) statement

Demonstrated financial accountability and tracking of granted funds

What They Do NOT Fund:

Individual applicants (only 501(c)(3) nonprofits)

Endowment funds

Individual support

Fiscal Sponsorship Option: If your organization lacks nonprofit status, you may apply through a fiscal sponsor (another nonprofit organization serving as official applicant).

Reporting Requirements

High-level progress report (1-2 pages) due by December 1 of the year grant monies are issued
Report must outline: program accomplishments, spending, challenges, and major/unanticipated changes
Organizations must notify funder immediately if funds cannot be used for intended purpose

Contact Information

Email: info@aidassociationdc.org

How to Apply

Application Process

The application follows a two-stage process:

#### Stage 1: Screening Questionnaire
1. Complete brief screening form to confirm eligibility
2. Form includes questions about:
- Current IRS 501(c)(3) status
- Operating and serving in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia
- Work directly benefits individuals who are blind or visually impaired
- Requesting funding for charitable program or general operations (not endowment or individual support)
- Alignment with focus areas (Vision/Medical Care, Social Services, Systems-Level Change)
- 1-2 sentence description of organization's work for people with vision loss
- Availability of project budget, recent financial statements, and outcome reporting capability
- 1-2 sentence description of impact if work is not funded
3. Eligible organizations will be invited to submit full proposal

#### Stage 2: Full Proposal Submission

Required Materials:

Grant Application Summary

All information required under Grant Proposal Requirements (see below)

Proof of IRS 501(c)(3) Status

2025 Profit & Loss Statement or Audited Financials

Project budget

Grant Proposal Requirements - Evaluation Criteria:

Executive Summary

Overview of the project
Alignment with Aid Association service areas

Organizational Capacity

Mission, vision, and strategic goals
Description of services
Track record of accomplishments
Leadership and staff qualifications
Financial management practices (audited financials if available)

Grant Objectives & Outcomes

Alignment with one or more focus areas (Vision/Medical Care, Social Services, Systemic Change)
Clear project goals/objectives
How funds will be used to accomplish project goals/objectives
Defined target population
Project sustainability (if relevant)