Eyesight Foundation of Alabama - General Grant Program

Eyesight Foundation of Alabama Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Alabama

Focus Areas: Eye care, vision research, eye health services, and programs addressing vision-related needs in Alabama

Mission: Supporting efforts to provide quality eye care and vision services to all Alabamians, with particular emphasis on underserved and vulnerable populations including children with vision impairments and low vision rehabilitation.

Funding Priorities

• Clinical eye care services and programs
• Vision research initiatives
• Low vision rehabilitation services
• Children's eye care and prevention programs
• Public health initiatives related to vision and eye health
• Community eye care services

What They Fund

• University-based ophthalmology and optometry programs
• Community health organizations providing eye care
• Research projects addressing eye diseases and vision impairment
• Low vision rehabilitation and support services
• Vision health education and awareness programs

Grantee Examples

• UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
• UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Sight Savers America
• Research institutions conducting vision research

Background

The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama has supported vision research and eye care services for decades, including support for Nobel Prize-winning research and comprehensive low vision rehabilitation programs throughout the state.

How to Apply

1. Complete the Online Grant Application at eyesightfoundation.org/online-grant-application/
2. Application Sections

Section A - Organization Information

• Organization name and tax ID
• Mailing and street address
• Contact information for organization primary contact and project primary contact
• Project title and description
• Total project budget and amount requested
• Indicate if this is a new request or continuation/renewal

Section B - Project Budget Form

• Use accepted accounting classifications and terminology
• Download budget form from application portal
• Submit to torrey@uab.edu with subject line: "Grant Application and [project name]"
• If funded, use same worksheet to report actual expenses and variances at end of funding period

Section C - New Request Application (answer all questions)

1. Organization Background: Mission, history, major programs, accomplishments, collaborations
2. Project or Program: Specific eye care need; goals and objectives; activities; key personnel and qualifications; organizations involved; other similar services
3. Project Evaluation: Effectiveness criteria; methods to analyze results; who will assess results
4. Project Continuation: Plans to continue beyond this funding period (donations, other grants, earned income, insurance reimbursements, etc.)
5. Additional Funding: List other foundations/sources where proposal submitted with amounts and status (approved/declined/pending)
6. Factors that May Influence Funding: Internal or external issues affecting project or organization funding
7. References: If never received ESFA funding, provide three professional references familiar with organization's work

Section D - Continuation Request Application (for renewal/continuation)

Stewardship Report on Prior Funding - Answer all questions:

1. List original goals and how they were met; describe current status toward meeting special terms/conditions
2. Impact on served population; whether reached original target population; use measurable indicators
3. List changes in organization since award (leadership, personnel, mission, funding, etc.)
4. Describe variances from initial plans (budget, scope, collaborators, etc.); explain how and why
5. Describe unanticipated results (positive/negative); what was learned
6. Adjustments to be made based on changes/variances/results
7. Funding from other sources; progress toward securing future funding
8. Internal or external factors affecting funding or organization's financial position
9. Whether collaborative/cooperative efforts proceeded as planned
10. Other important outcomes from award
11. Plans to share results or findings
12. Acknowledgment of funding source; provide copies of printed recognition
13. Additional comments, recommendations, or feedback
14. Supporting Documentation (Not required of UAB applicants; all others must submit by email)

• Current operating budget
• Income and expense statement for last fiscal year
• Tax return or audited financial statement
• List of current Board of Directors with affiliations
• IRS tax-exempt letter

1. Submission
   • Email all materials to: torrey@uab.edu
   • Subject line: "Grant Application and [project name]"
   • Submit Section C or D based on application type (new or continuation)