David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation Grants

The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on sight preservation, children's services, and environmental conservation, primarily in Utah. Established in memory of David Kelby Johnson, who tragically lost his life at a young age, the foundation aims to honor his legacy by supporting impactful charitable initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000, with a commitment to improving communities both locally and globally.

Elizabeth and Raymond Johnson's grandson, David Kelby Johnson, was just eight years old when he was hit and killed by a drunk driver while standing on the sidewalk on the street corner of Main Street in Salt Lake City. One of Elizabeth's greatest wishes had been to honor and share the memory of her late grandson. In 2013 she made that wish come true with an extraordinary, heart-felt donation to the Moran Eye Center’s ongoing outreach programs—locally and around the world. The center’s namesake, John A. Moran, matched her donation of one million dollars, and Mrs. Johnson happily christened it the “David Kelby Johnson Hope Fund.” Since October 2013, at each Moran outreach mission the team has hung a huge banner with David’s face and name on it. They will continue to fly the banner at each eye camp that they establish, eventually covering twenty-two countries on six continents.
It is from this inspiration that the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation continues its dedication to giving sight and other critical services to those in need.
The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation provides charitable support to qualified 501 (c)(3) organizations that have the potential to make a significant impact in the charitable purposes of sight preservation and improvement, children's services, drunk driving prevention and education, historic preservation, elder advocacy and environmental conservation.
The foundation will primarily fund organizations which conduct activities in the state of Utah, but we may make distributions to qualifying charitable organization which provide services outside of this region. Organizations may only apply once per calendar year. The Foundation awards grants that range from $5000 to a maximum of $100,000 in the following areas:

• Outreach for Vision and Eye CareChildren’s ServicesElder Advocacy and CareEnvironmental ConservationHistoric PreservationDrunk Driving Prevention and Education

Eligibility

Qualified 501 (c)(3) organizations which conduct activities in the state of Utah.

Ineligibility

Capital Campaigns/Building ConstructionThe David Kelby Johnson Foundation does not fund Capital Campaigns or new Building Construction. However, the foundation funds projects for the preservation of historic buildings and will fund capital costs associated with exhibits for a program that otherwise meets the foundation's funding guidelines.
Multi-year commitments Grants to IndividualsGrants to nonqualified agenciesGrants that fall outside of the guidelines set by the Board of DirectorsGrants for researchFunding for staff