Your Donation Supports Those With Vision Loss

Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We provide programs and services at no charge to persons who are blind or visually impaired. We can offer high-quality, comprehensive programs to residents of Hillsborough, Polk and surrounding counties through the generosity of various funders, including the United Way of Central Florida, the Division of Blind Services, Hillsborough and Polk County Board of County Commissioners, grants, special events, and through corporate and individual contributions.

From online to in your will or through your IRA, there are many ways to make a financial donation to support the Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision mission.

Online Donation

Complete an online donation form and securely pay through PayPal using your credit card or checking account. Options are available to designate your donation to a specific area or as a tribute gift.

Make a donation online today >

Leave a Legacy Through Planned Giving

Additional ways to support Lighthouse for the Blind and Low Vision programs include planned giving avenues, such as Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities, Bequests, Retirement Plans and Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations.

Please contact Director of Major Gifts and Development Tom Swanston at 757-377-4016 for more information if you would like to explore one or more of these options.

Maximize Tax Benefits White Supporting Lighthouse’s Mission

According to U.S. News, retirees who are 70 1/2 or older can avoid paying income tax on annual IRA withdrawals of up to $100,000 ($200,000 for couples) that they donate to charity. You must make your qualified charitable donation directly from your IRA.

You don’t need to itemize your taxes to make an IRA charitable distribution, and you can donate to multiple charities. An IRA charitable contribution will satisfy your RMD. You can also donate part of your RMD to charity and withdraw the rest as income.

If you have questions about qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) or other options for giving to Lighthouse for the Blind and Low Vision, please contact Director of Major Gifts and Development Tom Swanston via email or phone at 757-377-4016.

Designate a Gift Through Florida Government Services

Drivers License / ID Registrations and Renewals

When it is time to renew your driver’s license, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. While renewing, you can submit a voluntary contribution of $1 per applicant to Senior Vision Services, which shall be distributed to the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind, a not-for-profit organization.

Tag and Title Registrations and Renewals

For motor vehicle renewal of your license plate, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and purchase the “A State of Vision” specialty plate. When renewing your vehicle registration, you can also choose a voluntary contribution of $1 per applicant to Blind Babies.

All contributions benefit the Florida Agencies Serving the Blind (FASB), a not-for-profit organization, of which Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is a founding member. A voluntary contribution collected and distributed under this chapter, or any interest earned from those contributions, may not be used for commercial or for-profit activities or for general or administrative expenses except as authorized by law.

Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision requires that donor information be held in strict confidence. Information is used only for its intended business purpose. We do not sell, trade or give away your information to other organizations or individuals.

Within our organization, access to confidential information is limited to those who need it to perform their jobs. We allow auditors and other third parties access to your information only as mandated by regulatory requirements.

Donor Information

Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision collects the following information when it is voluntarily provided to us by you, the donor:

• Your contact information, including your name, address, telephone number and email address,
• Your giving information,
• Information on events you attended.

We offer donors the option of being recognized anonymously. Donors may request at any time not to receive solicitations or be contacted via email, social media, or other avenues by emailing us; calling 813-251-2407; or sending a letter to 1106 W. Platt Street, Tampa, Florida 33606.