Optometry Giving Sight Project Grants

Geographic Scope: United States, Canada, and international (projects in countries including Haiti, Malawi, Tanzania, Nepal, Vietnam, Mexico, Ghana, and others)

Focus Areas:
OGS funds organizations focused on three core pillars:

• Training local optometrists: Programs involving optometry training with clear outline of optometry's involvement and benefits
• Establishing optometry infrastructure: Support for optometry schools, eye clinics, vision centers, and optical labs
• Service delivery to underserved populations: Eye exams and low or no-cost glasses to underserved or marginalized populations with strong education and training components

Key Requirements:

• Long-term sustainability focus: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to sustainable, long-term solutions
• Education and training component: Service delivery must be tied to education and/or development of optometry
• Integrated programs: Programs should be integrated and view sustainability as a core objective

Eligibility:

• Qualified organizations with focus on activities with long-term sustainability
• Organizations addressing preventable blindness and impaired vision
• Programs with clear optometry involvement

Funding Examples (2021):

• Over $800,000 distributed in 2021 across 26+ projects in 21 countries
• 2025: 24 impactful projects funded

Contact Information:

• US Office: 1019 8th Street, Suite 304, Golden, CO 80401 | 303-526-0430 | 303-279-8042
• Canada Office: B110 – 4 Parkdale Crescent NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 3T8 | 403-670-2619 | 888-425-7296
• Website: https://givingsight.org/funding

Application Process

Online Application:

• Applications submitted through online portal at givingsight.org/funding
• Application deadline: April 22 (at midnight Central Standard Time) - based on 2022 cycle example

Funding Cycle Information:

• As of 2022, OGS transitioned from two funding cycles per year (spring and fall) to one annual cycle in summer
• Previous cycles occurred in spring and fall
• Check https://givingsight.org/funding for current cycle information and dates

Required Components:

• Organization description and mission
• Project description with clear focus on optometry involvement and benefits
• Sustainability plan demonstrating long-term viability
• Evidence of education and training components
• Budget information
• Evidence of alignment with OGS three pillars (training, infrastructure, service delivery)

Submission Format:

• Online application form
• Specific narrative questions required (details not fully specified in materials provided)

Note: For detailed current application requirements, instructions, and specific questions, visit https://givingsight.org/funding