Service for Sight Grants

The Delta Gamma Foundation Service for Sight grant program provides funding to organizations that share the Foundation's mission of Service for Sight, supporting programs that benefit people living with blindness or low vision.

Philanthropic Mission

The program funds:

• Education and research involving sight preservation
• Prevention and early intervention for conditions affecting visual impairment
• Resources, tools, technology and experiences to enhance quality of life for people living with blindness or low vision
• Vision-related public awareness initiatives

Geographic Scope

• United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom only
• Organizations must be based in countries with Delta Gamma collegiate chapters or alumnae groups
• Funds awarded must remain in these countries

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant organizations must be:

• 501(c)(3) or comparable organization (non-profit)
• National in scope and/or available to individuals on a nationwide basis
• Compatible in mission with the Delta Gamma Foundation Service for Sight grant program

What the Delta Gamma Foundation Does NOT Fund

• Programs that are local or single state-specific in scope or reach
• General operating expenses or staff salaries outside of the delivery of the proposed program/service
• Programs that are completed before requested grant funding is awarded
• Political activities of any kind
• Programs that promote religious activities
• Programs inconsistent with federal, state or local non-discrimination ordinances
• More than one grant request from the same organization
• Applications received after published deadlines

Preferences

Programs that directly benefit individuals living with blindness or low vision are given preference. The Foundation prioritizes programs that benefit the greatest number of persons possible in the most impactful ways.

Award Determination

• Grant requests are reviewed by the Service for Sight Grants Committee
• Committee makes recommendations to the Delta Gamma Foundation Board of Trustees for approval
• Organizations are notified each spring
• Due to budget limitations, not all qualified proposals will receive grants, and not all award requests will be approved for the amounts requested

Reporting Requirements

• Grant recipients must provide documentation detailing grant expenditures, outcomes, and Delta Gamma award acknowledgment through completion of a Grant Outcome Report
• Organizations that received a grant in the previous cycle must complete a Grant Outcome Report before submitting a new request (or no later than the application deadline)

Application Process

1. Complete the online Service for Sight Grant application using SmarterSelect (application available on the Delta Gamma Foundation website)
2. Submit required documentation:
   • Organization's mission statement
   • Most recent financial statement (IRS Form 990 or Canadian T3010)
   • Detailed description of the program for which the grant is requested
   • Detailed budget outlining the exact use of funds
   • Number of individuals expected to benefit from the proposed program
   • Timeline of how all funds would be used within one year of receipt
   • Specifics of how the organization would recognize the Delta Gamma Foundation and its contribution to the proposed program
3. For returning applicants: Complete a Grant Outcome Report online from the previous grant cycle (ideally before submitting request for current cycle, but no later than the application deadline)
4. Submit by the published deadline
5. Review and approval:
   • Service for Sight Grants Committee reviews applications
   • Committee makes recommendations to Delta Gamma Foundation Board of Trustees
   • Organizations are notified in spring
6. Post-award reporting:
   • Approved grant recipients must complete a Grant Outcome Report documenting:
   • Number of individuals benefited (directly and/or indirectly)
   • How intended results/goals were realized
   • How grant funds were utilized/expended
   • Impact on the organization's work
   • Accomplishments that could not have been achieved without funding
   • Documentation of Delta Gamma recognition on website, communications, and social media
   • Photos and stories (with permission) of individuals impacted by the grant
   • Opportunities for Delta Gamma member volunteering

Important Notes

• Funds cannot be used for staff salaries, overhead expenses, or fundraising purposes (except as noted above for direct program delivery)
• Applications received after published deadlines will not be considered
• Organizations are limited to one grant request per cycle