About the Nonprofit
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The Foundation Fighting Blindness was established in 1971 by a passionate group of individuals driven to find treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases that were affecting themselves or loved ones. At the time, very little was known about these devastating retinal degenerative diseases that lead to blindness.
The Foundation’s goal was clear: To drive the research that would lead to preventions, treatments and vision restoration for the degenerative retinal diseases – including macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and Usher syndrome – that together affect more than 10 million Americans and millions more throughout the world.
Today, the Foundation is the world’s leading private source for inherited retinal disease research funding. The Foundation is committed to driving research until the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases is eradicated.
Key Facts about the Foundation
During its now 47 year history, the Foundation has raised over $750 million in support of its effort to reverse blindness and restore vision.
The Foundation has over 40 volunteer-led chapters across the U.S. These dedicated volunteers raise funds, increase public awareness, and provide support to families affected by retinal diseases in their communities.
In 2014, the Foundation kicked off Envision 20/20, a campaign to end blindness and raise the funds necessary to advance current and future research. To accelerate funding, then FFB Chairman, Gordon Gund and his wife, Llura, created The Gordon and Llura Gund Family Challenge. The Gund Family Challenge closed in June of 2016 having raised over $111 million for retinal disease research.
