Service for Sight Grants

Program Description: The Foundation awards grants to organizations that share Delta Gamma's mission of Service for Sight, supporting programs that benefit people living with blindness or low vision.

Philanthropic Mission:
The grant program funds:

• Education and Research: Programs supporting sight preservation and research
• Prevention: Early intervention for conditions affecting visual impairment
• Quality of Life: Resources, tools, technology and experiences for people living with blindness or low vision
• Awareness: Vision-related public awareness initiatives

Award Information:

• In 2024-25 fiscal year: $925,000 awarded to 56 national organizations
• Not all qualified proposals receive funding
• Award amounts may be adjusted based on budget limitations
• Funds must be used within one year of receipt

Eligible Applicants:

• 501(c)(3) or comparable tax-exempt organizations
• Based in countries with Delta Gamma presence: United States, Canada, or United Kingdom
• Must have compatible mission/programs with Delta Gamma Service for Sight mission
• National in scope OR available to individuals on a nationwide basis
• Cannot be local or single state-specific

Program Preferences:

• Priority given to programs that directly benefit individuals living with blindness or low vision
• Foundation prioritizes programs benefiting the greatest number of persons in the most impactful ways

What Will NOT Be Funded:

• Staff salaries or overhead expenses (outside program delivery)
• General operating expenses or fundraising purposes
• Programs already completed before grant funding awarded
• Political activities of any kind
• Programs promoting religious activities
• Programs inconsistent with federal, state or local non-discrimination ordinances
• Multiple grant requests from same organization in one cycle
• Applications received after published deadlines

Contact Information:

• Email: grants@deltagamma.org
• Delta Gamma Foundation
• Address: 3250 Riverside Drive, Columbus, OH 43221
• Phone: 614-481-8169

Application Process

Submission Platform: Online application via SmarterSelect (when available)

Application Steps:

1. Complete online Service for Sight Grant application through SmarterSelect
2. (If organization received grant in previous cycle) Complete Grant Outcome Report before or by application deadline
3. Submit application by published deadline
4. Application reviewed by Service for Sight Grants Committee
5. Committee makes recommendations to Delta Gamma Foundation Board of Trustees
6. Applicants notified of approval status each spring

Required Application Materials:

1. Organization Information:
   • Organization's mission statement
   • Most recent financial statement (IRS 990 or Canadian T3010 form)
   • Proof of 501(c)(3) or comparable tax-exempt status
2. Program Details:
   • Detailed description of the program for which grant is requested
   • Detailed budget with exact use of funds
   • Number of individuals expected to benefit from proposed program
   • Timeline showing how all funds would be used within one year of receipt
3. Recognition & Reporting:
   • Specifics of how organization will recognize Delta Gamma Foundation and acknowledge grant contribution
   • Commitment to provide Grant Outcome Report detailing:
   • Grant expenditures and outcomes
   • Number of individuals served (directly and indirectly)
   • How intended results/goals were realized
   • How grant impacted organizational work
   • Documentation of Delta Gamma recognition/acknowledgment
   • Information on additional Delta Gamma support received
   • Permission waivers and photos/testimonials from beneficiaries (optional but encouraged)

Restrictions on Budget:

• Funds cannot be used for staff salaries (except direct program delivery)
• Funds cannot be used for overhead expenses or fundraising
• All funds must be used within one year of receipt and timeline-specific

Post-Award Requirements:

• Grant Outcome Report required for recipients
• Documentation of grant expenditures and outcomes
• Delta Gamma acknowledgment in organizational materials (website, communications, social media)