Since 1971, the Foundation has raised more than $915 million in support of its mission to end blindness caused by all retinal degenerative diseases. Throughout our history, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to directing the highest possible proportion of revenue to research to find treatments and cures for the entire spectrum of retinal degenerations, including retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, and Usher syndrome. During the Foundation’s more than 50-year history, nearly $562 million has been committed to retinal research and nearly $61 million to public health education programs.
Over our history, the Foundation has, on average, directed about 75 percent of its annual revenue budget to research and public awareness programs, maintaining our high average investment in these key program areas.
Fiscal Year 2023
As of the Fondation's last fiscal year (2023), we are funding 93 research projects overseen by 96 investigators at 71 research institutions worldwide. Thanks to accelerated progress in clinical and translational research, more funds are being invested in the later stages of the research continuum; that is, in testing the safety and efficacy of emerging treatments and cures.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is an Accredited Charity by the Better Business Bureaus BBB Wise Giving Alliance. We are also pleased to be rated as four stars (top rating) for accountability and transparency by the Charity Navigator website. Our overall Charity Navigator rating is three stars.
We are extremely proud of the Foundation’s contribution to advancing retinal disease science. When the Foundation began its work, there was virtually no research on retinal diseases and no treatment options for people who were losing or had lost their sight to these diseases. Now, as the field launches clinical trials for many new treatments, our strategy of early and sustained investment in promising or emerging therapies, often with the hope of attracting later industry investment, has proven to be highly effective.
(Revised November 2023)
