LAVELLE FUND FOR THE BLIND INC
Annual Giving
$5.9M+4% YoY
Grants
77
Median Grant
$53K
Organizations Funded
58
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Foundation Overview
Mission
We envision a world where people who are blind and visually impaired can lead full, independent, and productive lives; The Lavelle Fund supports programs that help people who are blind and visually impaired lead independent, productive lives, together with eye care programs working to prevent and treat vision loss. Programs in the Catholic tradition of serving the disadvantaged are of special interest.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
Brother James Kearney Scholarship Program - $215,485 in scholarship grants in 2023. Lavelle Leaders Award - $5,000 one-time scholarships for outstanding scholars. Vision rehabilitation services grant of $525,000 over three years to VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Mental health peer support program grant of $365,604 over two years to Rutgers University Foundation for blind/visually impaired residents. International programs focusing on medical eye care training and education in Latin America. Total cumulative grants of $105.2 million awarded (as of December 31, 2023, excluding scholarships).
How to Apply
Currently undergoing transition to new grants management system and not accepting Letter of Inquiry submissions at this time. When operational, requires Letter of Inquiry first. Focus on organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or verifiable non-U.S. charitable status. Concentrates on support for program creation, expansion, or improvement rather than general operating support.
Does Not Fund
Does not fund individuals; Does not fund medical research programs; Does not fund advocacy efforts to influence legislation or elections; Does not fund organizations seeking support for deficit reduction; Does not fund direct service projects beyond the New York Tri-State area; Scholarship program does not cover fees for special programs, off-campus housing not included in official bill, or travel-abroad programs above regular Cost of Attendance.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$5.9M
Grants
77
Median
$53K
States
16
$5.6M
Grants
66
Median
$56K
States
15
$6.5M
Grants
66
Median
$77K
States
11
Grant Size Distribution
$53K
Typical Grant (Median)
$400
Smallest
$13K
25th Pctile
$103K
75th Pctile
$679K
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $13K and $103K.
Largest Recent Grants
$679K
2024
PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
MA · #22-24: EVERY CHILD CAN LEARN: SCALING UP SYSTEMIC CHANGE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
$355K
2024
LAVELLE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
NY · #24-28: GARDEN OF GIVING
$250K
2024
HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL
NY · #23-29: NEW JERSEY VISION PROGRAM
$239K
2024
BENETECH
CA · #24-10: SAKSHARTA (LITERACY)
$206K
2024
VISIONSERVE ALLIANCE
MO · #24-25: VISION REHABILITATION WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: A HUB AND SPOKE APPROACH
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.