By making a gift, you join thousands of individuals, foundations, corporations, and friends who recognize the value of AFB’s mission and our impact on the blind community. Your generosity will ensure that current and future members of the blindness community have a voice and access to endless possibilities for the millions of Americans who are blind or have low vision.

If you have questions about your gift or need support making a gift to support our work, please contact our Resource Development team at rd@afb.org or 888-824-2184.

Unless otherwise specified, all gifts made to AFB go toward supporting our mission. Opportunities to support our work include:

Donate by Check

To donate by check to AFB, please make the check payable to the AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND, and mail it to:

American Foundation for the Blind
1108 Third Avenue, Suite 200
Huntington, WV 25701

Credit Card

Please use our secure online donation form to make a one-time gift or set up a recurring gift using your credit card.

Sustainer (recurring donation)

Become an AFB Sustainer by signing up for a recurring donation. Your commitment enables us to plan for the future and ensures that we can continue our vital work. Set up a monthly gift today and make a lasting difference. We’ll keep you updated on our work, events, and progress. You can modify your gift at any time by contacting Diane Wright, Donor Database and Stewardship Manager, at dwright@afb.org.

To become a Sustainer, follow the secure link below.

Sustainer Donation Form

Select the amount you would like to donate each month, or enter a custom amount in the text box.

Then, select the checkbox “Make this contribution monthly ($10 minimum).”

Thank you. Your support will expand possibilities for the blind and low vision community present and future.

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are easily established and offer donors the flexibility to reduce taxable income and direct charitable contributions.

Donors can support AFB through the DAF in two ways:

  • Designate AFB as a beneficiary to receive all or a portion of your DAF.
  • Make a grant recommendation for a specific gift amount to support the organization in the current year.

Please note that federal tax regulations prohibit the donor from receiving any goods or services in exchange for gifts made to a DAF.

IRA Charitable Transfer

If you are 70 1/2 or older, you are eligible to make a gift of any amount up to $100,000 annually directly from your IRA to AFB. While there is no charitable deduction, these gifts qualify for your required minimum distribution (RMD) and do not count as income for federal income tax purposes.

Tribute Program

A memorial gift can perpetuate the values and ideals that define a loved one’s life. Honorary gifts commemorate a significant event or an exceptional person who is still living. Any gift amount can be made in memory or to honor someone. Families of those honored or remembered will be notified of the gift if you provide us with contact information. The amount of your gift remains private and will not be shared with the family.

INSERT a BOX with a link to make a donation

Make a Tribute Gift

Obituary Language for Memorials

If you would like to direct gifts to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) in an obituary, the information provided below is sample wording for memorial gift language:

The family of (INSERT Name) requests that memorial gifts be made in support of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory to support the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).

Tribute gifts can be made online through our secure donation form or mailed to:

American Foundation for the Blind
1108 Third Avenue, Suite 200
Huntington, WV 25701

For assistance, please contact the Resource Development office at rd@afb.org. Thank you for your thoughtful support of AFB’s mission. Your support of our work is greatly appreciated.

Planned Giving

The Helen Keller Society

Leave a Legacy of Endless Possibilities

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”
– Helen Keller

Join Us on a Legacy that Transforms Tomorrow’s World

The Helen Keller Society honors compassionate individuals who, like Helen Keller, believe in a world full of endless possibilities for people who are blind or low vision. By including the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) in your estate plans, you join a community dedicated to lifelong empowerment, equal opportunity, and access for all.

Our Legacy of Leadership:

Founded in 1921 by philanthropist M.C. Migel to support veterans blinded in World War I, AFB has led efforts to expand opportunity, access, and independence for people with vision loss.

In 1924, Helen Keller joined AFB as a tireless global advocate. Through her powerful voice and presence, she helped transform public perceptions of blindness and elevate AFB’s mission worldwide. Keller remained active with AFB until she died in 1968, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to guide our work.

Your legacy gift ensures that AFB can continue to lead in:

  • Expanding accessible technology
  • Championing inclusive public policy
  • Creating opportunities for education and employment
  • Advancing research and resources for Access

Planned Giving Opportunities

Wills

The most frequently utilized planned gift is a bequest through a will. Your gift to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) in your will can be a fixed dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after making provisions for your family and loved ones.

The following is sample bequest language that may be adapted by your legal or financial advisor to fit your specific circumstances.

“I hereby give to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), Federal Tax ID13-5562161, located at River Tower, 1108 Third Ave, Suite 200, Huntington, WV 25701, the sum of ___ or ___% of my estate, herein described, for the benefit of the American Foundation for the Blind to be used by the Board of Directors as it may deem advisable.”

Don't have a will or trust? Start here.

IRAs and Other Retirement Assets

You can make a planned gift using the beneficiary designation of your IRA, 401(K), or other retirement plans. This type of gift avoids estate and income taxation on the assets accumulated tax-free during your lifetime.

Stocks

Securities, both publicly traded and closely held, bonds, and mutual funds can be used to make a gift to AFB. A donor is entitled to a charitable tax deduction equal to the value of the securities on the date of the gift. AFB can sell the securities and employ the proceeds without incurring capital gains taxes due to its status as a non-profit organization.

Insurance

One of the simplest ways to make a significant contribution is to establish a life insurance policy in the name of AFB. This can be done in several ways: you can give a policy you no longer need (change the ownership of the policy to AFB), take out a new policy, or name AFB as a beneficiary of an existing policy.

Fundraising with Friends Events

Birthday, Baptism, Wedding, Memorial

If you have a special occasion coming up, in addition to — or instead of — a gift registry, why not ask for contributions to AFB? It's a great way to show you care and let your friends know that our work matters to you.

Fundraising Event

Connect your network with your passion for creating a world of possibilities!

Fundraising events provide donors with a meaningful way to engage, learn more about our mission, and witness their impact firsthand. Join us — or host an event — to inspire others to give and help drive lasting change.

For more information on how to support AFB, setting up a fundraising event with friends, creating a social media or online account fundraising page, or seeking help with promoting an event, please contact Melody Goodspeed, Major and Planned Gifts Officer, at mgoodspeed@afb.org.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Multiply your impact! Many companies offer matching gift programs, where they’ll match employee donations to eligible nonprofits, such as AFB. Check with the human resources department to see if they offer a matching gift program for employees. If your company needs to be added or updated in our listing, please contact Diane Wright, Donor Database and Stewardship Manager, at dwright@afb.org.

Vehicle donations have become very popular throughout the United States. In an effort to accommodate the generosity of our donors, AFB has partnered with two non-profit organizations accepting vehicle donations on behalf of charities across the country. For more information, or to donate a vehicle, please contact:

arc Cars online, or by phone at 1-877-272-7212.

Thank you!

We understand that you have many options when it comes to donating, and we are grateful that you have chosen to support our cause. We promise to be responsible stewards of both your donation and your trust. On behalf of our board, staff, and those we serve, thank you for your commitment to AFB’s mission.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Thank you and warm regards.

– The AFB Staff and Board

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