Vision Foundation

Who they support

The Vision Fund is designed to support innovative projects that are changing the lives of visually impaired people in our communities and their families.

The average annual spending of grantees has been £7 million
The average age of charities supported has been years.

Grant criteria

In 1921 The Greater London Fund for the Blind was set up to support and give a voice to blind and partially sighted people across London. Today we’re called The Vision Foundation and we’re still transforming lives. We’ve distributed more than £30m to sight loss organisations that work to inform, include and empower London’s visually impaired community. Empowerment is at the heart of what we do; our work focuses on what people can do, rather than what they can’t.

Grant details

The Vision Fund is designed to support projects which empower, inform and include blind and partially sighted people and improve eye health across London. It is available for sight loss organisations and other specialist organisations which wish to reach blind and partially sighted people. We recognise applying for funding can be challenging, time consuming and stressful. Please get in touch with our team by emailing grants@visionfoundation.org.uk if you have ideas but are not sure if they fit our criteria, or if you would like any help with our application process.

www.visionfoundation.org.uk

hello@visionfoundation.org.uk

02076202066

Fight For Sight
18 MANSELL STREET
LONDON
E1 8AA

Charity registered in England & Wales, No: 1074958

Charity Commission for England and Wales

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Analysis of Grants Made

In this period 78 donations have been made totalling £2,192,690 to 53 organisations

Where are the Beneficiaries?

How big are the Recipients? ?

Which activities are being funded?

How old were the charities when supported?

Growth in Spending
(per annum over last 3 years)

Main Overlaps with other Grant Makers ?

	By Value	By Number
The National Lottery Community Fund	83%	62%
City Bridge Foundation	66%	43%
Garfield Weston Foundation	39%	32%
BBC Children in Need	37%	21%
DCMS	35%	26%
Co-operative Group	33%	23%
The Clothworkers' Foundation	32%	17%
Masonic Charitable Foundation	30%	19%
Wolfson Foundation	21%	11%
Greater London Authority	19%	15%

Sole supporter: 23% by number, 7% by value.

Individual Grants Made

When	Amount	Annual Spending	Grantee	To be used for
13/12/2023	£30,000		CAMDEN DISABILITY ACTION	To train 5 blind and partially sighted people (BPS) to lead change, transforming our Centre, into a community connectiveness hub for 300 members of the PBS community. They will have their access needs met in full and receive leadership training to run fi
13/12/2023	£30,000	£377,278	LOOK UK	The core purpose is to reduce isolation and tackle barriers faced by VI young people and their families living in London.
13/12/2023	£30,000	£3,413,000	THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR BLIND CHILDREN	At RSBC, we want every blind and partially sighted child, young person and their family to have the skills and confidence to live their life without limits. The project will reduce loneliness and isolation affecting blind and partially sighted children
13/12/2023	£29,623	£227,792	SUTTON VISION	The project will reduce isolation and loneliness by increasing social connection for blind and partially sighted people through one to one befriending (telephone and community based) social / interest and peer support groups by utilising the skills of sta
13/12/2023	£7,000		INTERGENERATIONAL MUSIC MAKING	The core purpose of our project is to create a vibrant and inclusive intergenerational experience in Islington, Westminster, Hackney, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets. Through five distinct intergenerational initiatives, each spanning ten weeks, we aim to add
13/12/2023	£24,947	£197,812	METRO BLIND SPORT	Metro will create and implement an activity programme for VI people in London to fight loneliness and isolation. The programme will revolve around a calendar of 12 low intensity, high impact activities. We will target our less active members who are les
13/12/2023	£10,000		4SIGHT VISION SUPPORT	Core funding
13/12/2023	£10,000		BERKSHIRE VISION	Core funding
13/12/2023	£9,375		ISLE OF WIGHT SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND	Core funding
13/12/2023	£10,000	£377,278	LOOK UK	Core funding
08/03/2023	£3,490	£2,794,696	SIGHT FOR SURREY	Our workplan is split into three areas as follows:_x000D_ Domestic Violence and Training - we have identified an online course run by CPD Online College - we don't offer our frontline and community engagement team this type of training as part of their inductio
08/03/2023	£4,750		TIME AND TALENTS ASSOCIATION	Time & Talents supports many visually impaired clients experiencing financial, physical and/or mental abuse from loved ones or carers. We have a track record of 11 years of successful delivery of our VIP (Visually Impaired People) social contact group for
08/03/2023	£16,394	£2,812,000	BEACON CENTRE FOR THE BLIND	Our project will transform the support offered to visually impaired people who are victims or survivors of domestic abuse. Led by West Midlands sight loss charity, the Beacon Centre, in partnership with local community housing provider and domestic abuse
08/03/2023	£5,000		PARENTAL EDUCATION GROWTH SUPPORT (PEGS)	We will promote awareness of CPA and help blind and partially sighted parents who are experiencing Child to Parent Abuse across England and Wales by creating a mini series (5 minute episodes) or short film (20 minutes) to raise awareness of: Signs and sy
08/03/2023	£49,674	£9,802,149	SAFELIVES	Funding from the Vision Foundation will enable SafeLives – in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and those with lived experience – to turn recommendations from The Unseen report into practice. We want to improve the capab
08/03/2023	£16,950	£333,323	EXTANT	To create an audio drama about how domestic violence uniquely affects the VI community, based on the themes and findings of the Unseen Report and consultation in partnership with Refuge. The audio drama will be available in podcast form to reach a young V
08/03/2023	£43,977	£30,055,933	REFUGE	Our project proposes to meet your core strategic aim of empowering those at risk, by improving pathways to support for visually impaired survivors of domestic abuse nationally. We recognise the gaps highlighted in the Unseen report and have sought to prod
08/03/2023	£19,261	£87,026,000	ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BLIND PEOPLE	RNIB is pleased to be applying into this funding round for a project that will partner with and draw upon the expertise and knowledge of DVA charity SafeLives. It will support blind and partially sighted adults across the UK by increasing their knowledge
26/09/2022	£9,965	£318,468	AMY AND FRIENDS	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£10,000	£101,776	KINGSTON UPON THAMES ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£10,000	£3,217,872	KENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£10,000	£2,794,696	SIGHT FOR SURREY	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£10,000		THE AMBER TRUST	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£10,000	£160,978	VISION CARE FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£10,000	£548,560	THE LIVING PAINTINGS TRUST	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£10,000		VISION ABILITY	In support of sight loss organisations based and working in London. This funding supports the sight loss sector’s continued adaptation and recovery during the protracted pandemic and the current economic crisis. Open primarily to charities whose main purpose is in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. For the continuation of a project, this project must be in support of those living with or at risk of sight loss. Applications for grants of up to £10,000 (for up to 12-24 months) to meet either operational costs, or for any other project activities supporting those living with or at risk of sight loss. Priority will be given to organisations which have been in receipt of a Vision Fund grant within the last three years.
26/09/2022	£35,000	£295,152	BLIND IN BUSINESS	We plan to help NEET people aged 17 upwards within the M25 into their first job, supporting their employers to retain them. We plan to give them intensive one to one support, training, in all aspects of the recruitment process, making them job ready, aw
26/09/2022	£24,405	£55,721	BALUJI MUSIC FOUNDATION	We will help blind and partially sighted people, in London, to showcase their talents and access paid work in the music industry. We will do this by: 1. Working with partners (Live Music Now, the Southbank Centre and other important music programmers), t
26/09/2022	£48,820	£3,413,000	THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR BLIND CHILDREN	34 BPS young people aged 18-25 will be supported either secure employment, embark on an apprenticeships or start their own business. We will deliver in-person, one-to-one, support, and coaching to build confidence and skills. We work with 10 employers p
26/09/2022	£49,820	£734,791	CROYDON VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	Our ‘Forging a Sustainable Community’ programme will do everything it says on the tin. We want to change lives, change thinking and put both employability and employment opportunities at the top of the agenda - helping both the sight loss community to ge
26/09/2022	£49,968	£15,257,322	SOLACE WOMEN'S AID	LUCE is a pilot project that aims to create readiness within Solace's Advice Line to provide professional training and recruit 6 blind and visually impaired women. Whilst challenging our programmatic barriers, we aim to: - Develop best practices that oth
10/03/2021	£9,500	£116,766	SUTTON VISION	Assistive Technology Outreach for Visually Impaired People
10/03/2021	£9,990	£5,083,000	MACULAR SOCIETY	Telephone Befriending: peer support for people with sight loss due to macular disease
10/03/2021	£49,979	£517,974	DISABILITY ADVICE SERVICE LAMBETH	Working with visually impaired people of working age from across London to develop their radio and podcasting skills. They will learn how to present, interview and produce a weekly radio chat show remotely and face-to-face once COVID restrictions end and how to produce and promote podcasts.
10/03/2021	£50,000	£42,210,000	BLIND VETERANS UK	Remote support services for elderly blind and partially sighted people living throughout Greater London, including provision of remote rehabilitation interventions, creative activity support, and 1:1 and group emotional and rehabilitative support.
10/03/2021	£50,000	£21,141,249	SEEABILITY	Recruitment of a London Pathway Expert by Experience and a Co-ordinator to engage with Local Optical Committees and health commissioners and present to them the need for commissioning of the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) Learning Disability eye care pathway in all London boroughs.
10/03/2021	£43,890	£278,420	METRO SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB OF VISION IMPAIRED PEOPLE	This project targets blind and partially sighted young people and adults from the Asian community to be active through dance. This project will support those disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, using dance to tackle inactivity, isolation and the loss of independence. This project combines 4 elements: 1) 8-week home based virtual dance programme to initiate engagement with inactive people; 2) support material to empower people to transition from home to community-based activity; 3) 12-week dance programme in 5 London Boroughs with high Asian populations; 4) stakeholder engagement programme to imbed support.
10/03/2021	£47,450	£4,830,000	THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR BLIND CHILDREN	Support for blind and partially sighted young people living in London (aged 16-25) to access employment by providing bespoke, 1-2-1 employment support to young people and working with employers to open up the employment market for blind young people. The support will be available both online and in person.
23/09/2020	£9,700	£2,557,176	KENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	Covid-19 Assistive Technology Support Service for visually impaired people (Covid-19 response grant)
17/08/2020	£8,890	£702,380	LONDON VISION	Establish Sight Loss Council for London and virtual network of engagement champions to tackle inequality and challenge decision makers. (Covid-19 response grant)
09/06/2020	£10,000	£257,888	BLIND IN BUSINESS	The funding is for staff to support blind and partially sighted people back to work who have been directly unemployed due to Covid-19. This work will be done remotely to abide by social distancing rules. (Covid-19 response grant)
19/05/2020	£5,800	£3,716,291	THE PHOTOGRAPHERS' GALLERY	"Slow Looking" sessions on Zoom led by audio-describers. Although open for all, they are particularly designed for people who are blind and visually-impaired. Over one hour, participants unpack and discuss three photographs by one artist. 10 sessions for up to 30 people each. (Covid-19 response grant)
11/03/2020	£90,000	£515,154	CROYDON VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£90,000	£86,357	KINGSTON ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£90,000	£394,281	MERTON VISION	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£180,000	£1,039,532	BLINDAID	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£90,000	£2,472,592	SIGHT FOR SURREY	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£180,000	£21,141,249	SEEABILITY	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£90,000	£116,766	SUTTON VISION	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£126,000	£489,813	MIDDLESEX ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	Transition grant offered at end of membership structure (core funding for 3 years)
11/03/2020	£5,000	£257,888	BLIND IN BUSINESS	To enable Blind in Business to offer employment support to blind and partially sighted people
04/03/2020	£40,000		EYE HEROES	To run workshops for children to raise their awareness of the importance of eye health and so that they can inform others in their community.
04/03/2020	£15,000	£69,471,916	SENSE UK	To pair young blind and partially sighted peole with additional difficulties with a buddy who can help them take part in activities.
04/03/2020	£14,873		AFGHANISTAN & CENTRAL ASIAN ASSOCIATION	Engage and empower a target group of recent migrant, refugee and isolated women to look after their own and their families' eye health.
04/03/2020	£20,000	£21,141,249	SEEABILITY	To make eye tests accessible to adults with learning disabilities.
04/03/2020	£15,000	£1,109,384	THE CHANGE FOUNDATION	VI Rugby Festivals: creation of the first national visually impaired rugby festivals in London (2 annual events)
04/03/2020	£16,000	£202,289	TIMEBANKING UK	To make Timebanks in London more inclusive and accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
04/03/2020	£16,000	£581,848	TIME AND TALENTS ASSOCIATION	Inter-generational project bringing young and old blind and partially sighted people together to build friendships and peer support through joint experiences.
04/03/2020	£15,000	£116,766	SUTTON VISION	To provide outreach services to reach more blind and partially sighted people in the community.
04/03/2020	£13,560	£338,941	THE AMBER TRUST	To run Music Makers workshops for blind and partially sighted young people with additional disabilities at Linden Lodge School in Wandsworth and Joseph Clarke School in Waltham Forest.
04/03/2020	£3,000		LUNCH CLUB + 4 THE BLIND	Lunch Clubs for older blind and partially sighted people.
04/03/2020	£20,000	£1,056,876	QUEEN?S CRESCENT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION	To raise awareness of the importance of having eye tests and leading a healthy lifestyle as a way of preventing avoidable blindness. To enable blind and partially sighted people to exercise by giving them support to use the Gym.
04/03/2020	£2,898	£11,889	BROMLEY DISTRICT TALKING NEWS	Talking News in Bromley for visually impaired people
04/03/2020	£14,850	£279,392	LOOK UK	Mentoring project officer to run the Look mentoring programme in London. The programme aims to support visually impaired young people.
04/03/2020	£4,997	£517,974	DISABILITY ADVICE SERVICE LAMBETH	Smashing Records Radio Show: Visually impaired people will be invited to be guests on and host the show once a month and to attend two VI radio training workshops
04/03/2020	£15,000	£27,460	BALUJI MUSIC FOUNDATION	To increase employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired musicians by facilitating performances, recordings, and other activities through the Inner Vision Orchestra.
04/03/2020	£4,980		COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE EAST LONDON	Feasibility study to develop a community leadership programme for BAME people who are blind and/or partially sighted.
04/03/2020	£10,000	£92,866,000	ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BLIND PEOPLE	Funding for a London employment advisor to raise awareness amongst employers re. employing blind and partially sighted people. To prevent those who have newly lost their sight from losing their jobs.
04/03/2020	£19,914		MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FOR REFORM AND PROGRESSION	To run martial arts and self-defence classes for blind and partially sighted people.
04/03/2020	£5,000	£182,093	EXTANT	No Dramas: regular, free monthly drama club in London for visually impaired adults
04/03/2020	£10,000	£2,472,592	SIGHT FOR SURREY	To run the 'Today Matters for Tomorrow' Project which involves providing ECLO support, benefits advice and making materials available for other organisations on how to support blind and partially sighted people.
25/09/2019	£6,000	£731,066	PANATHLON FOUNDATION LTD	To run sports sessions for blind and partially sighted children in London
25/09/2019	£6,000	£27,460	BALUJI MUSIC FOUNDATION	To run music spotlight workshops for blind and partially sighted musicians in London as part of the 2020 inner vision orchestra festival.
25/09/2019	£6,000	£768,290	MOUSETRAP THEATRE PROJECTS	To run 3-4 Envision days. Envision gives visually impaired young people an opportunity to experience London?s West End in an accessible way. Each trip includes a workshop, on-stage touch tour and audio described matinee performance at a West End play or musical.
25/09/2019	£6,000	£515,154	CROYDON VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND	To run Seeing Beyond the Eyes workshops for Eye health professionals to enable them to be aware of the need to refer to other services.
25/09/2019	£6,000	£61,356,000	JEWISH CARE	To support older blind and partially sighted people in acquiring the digital skills they need for everyday life.
25/09/2019	£6,000		WOOD STREET WALL CIC	To create tactile and accessible art in London
25/09/2019	£6,000	£581,848	TIME AND TALENTS ASSOCIATION	To continue to run social activities for older blind and partially sighted people.

Show more rows

Cumulative Grants

Amount	Grantee
£250,000	SEEABILITY
£180,000	BLINDAID
£145,820	CROYDON VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
£144,123	SUTTON VISION
£126,270	THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR BLIND CHILDREN
£126,000	MIDDLESEX ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
£113,490	SIGHT FOR SURREY
£100,000	KINGSTON UPON THAMES ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
£90,000	MERTON VISION
£68,837	METRO BLIND SPORT
£54,976	DISABILITY ADVICE SERVICE LAMBETH
£54,850	LOOK UK
£50,000	BLIND IN BUSINESS
£50,000	BLIND VETERANS UK
£49,968	SOLACE WOMEN'S AID
£49,674	SAFELIVES
£45,405	BALUJI MUSIC FOUNDATION
£43,977	REFUGE
£40,000	EYE HEROES
£30,000	CAMDEN DISABILITY ACTION
£29,261	ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BLIND PEOPLE
£22,000	TIME AND TALENTS ASSOCIATION
£21,950	EXTANT
£20,000	QUEEN?S CRESCENT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
£19,914	MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FOR REFORM AND PROGRESSION
£19,700	KENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
£16,394	BEACON CENTRE FOR THE BLIND
£16,000	TIMEBANKING UK
£15,000	THE CHANGE FOUNDATION
£15,000	SENSE UK
£14,873	AFGHANISTAN & CENTRAL ASIAN ASSOCIATION
£13,560	THE AMBER TRUST
£10,000	VISION ABILITY
£10,000	VISION CARE FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE
£10,000	THE LIVING PAINTINGS TRUST
£10,000	THE AMBER TRUST
£10,000	BERKSHIRE VISION
£10,000	4SIGHT VISION SUPPORT
£9,990	MACULAR SOCIETY
£9,965	AMY AND FRIENDS
£9,375	ISLE OF WIGHT SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
£8,890	LONDON VISION
£7,000	INTERGENERATIONAL MUSIC MAKING
£6,000	WOOD STREET WALL CIC
£6,000	PANATHLON FOUNDATION LTD
£6,000	MOUSETRAP THEATRE PROJECTS
£6,000	JEWISH CARE
£5,800	THE PHOTOGRAPHERS' GALLERY
£5,000	PARENTAL EDUCATION GROWTH SUPPORT (PEGS)
£4,980	COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE EAST LONDON
£4,750	TIME AND TALENTS ASSOCIATION
£3,000	LUNCH CLUB + 4 THE BLIND
£2,898	BROMLEY DISTRICT TALKING NEWS