NEWTON, Mass. (June 7, 2019) – The Carroll Center for the Blind, a leader in services for individuals confronted by the challenges of low vision and blindness, today announced it is one of 100 local nonprofits to receive a grant of $100,000 through Cummings Foundation’s “$100K for 100” program.

The Carroll Center for the Blind was chosen from a total of 574 applicants during a competitive review process. The organization proudly empowers people of all ages and all stages of vision loss to live independent and fulfilling lives by delivering instruction, counseling, and other vision-related services at both its Newton Campus and in the community.

Carroll Center for the Blind clients and staff hold up various “Thank You” signs to celebrate being chosen as recipients of the Cummings Foundation $100K for 100 grant.

“We’re beyond grateful for this tremendously impactful and kind support to allow us to serve the needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired of all ages,” said Carroll Center for the Blind President and CEO Gregory J. Donnelly, who attended a reception with approximately 300 guests at TradeCenter 128 in Woburn to celebrate the $10 million infusion into Greater Boston’s nonprofit sector. “We’re humbled by the Cummings Foundation’s embrace of our mission to empower those who are blind and visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life.”

Support from Cummings Foundation will allow The Carroll Center to meet the increasing demand for its services and to reach those in greatest need, including low-income and senior populations. According to the National Institutes of Health, the number of U.S. citizens who are blind and visually impaired is expected to double by 2050. With more than 25 million adult Americans – including 128,000 Massachusetts residents – already experiencing blindness or difficulty seeing (even when using corrective glasses or contacts), this is a significant size of the population.

The $100K for 100 program supports nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. With the conclusion of this grant cycle, Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $260 million to Greater Boston nonprofits alone. Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate Cummings Properties. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 10 million square feet of space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.

“By having such a local focus, we aim to make a meaningful positive difference in the communities where our colleagues and leasing clients live and work,” said Joel Swets, Cummings Foundation’s executive director. “We are most grateful for the nonprofit organizations that assist and empower our neighbors, and we are proud to support their efforts.”

This year’s diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes, including homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. Most of the grants will be paid over two to five years. The complete list of 100 grant winners is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org

About The Carroll Center for the Blind

Established in 1936, The Carroll Center for the Blind empowers those who are blind and visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. The nonprofit organization provides services for individuals of all ages and all stages of vision loss, including vision rehabilitation services, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, services for seniors, and an optical shop. For more information, visit www.carroll.org.