Midwest Eye-Banks' ability to maintain its leadership among eye banks, continue its support of eye and vision research, and provide community education relies on philanthropic support. The Eye-Bank's long-term fund development strategy is to create a constant source of income to support current and future programs.

The Gift of Sight Charitable Endowment Fund 

This fund supports the Eye-Bank's program to reduce or waive eye tissue processing fees for patients unable to afford medical procedures when a cornea transplant is required to restore sight. The Eye-Bank provides more than $500,000 annually in uncompensated and reduced-fee services to provide eye tissue to these patients.

The Gift of Hope Eye and Vision Research Endowment Fund 

This fund will provide research scientists with funding to investigate the causes and cures of a wide range of blinding eye conditions. The first endowment fund would provide a growing source of support for the Eye and Vision Research Program, which the Eye-Bank now supports at a cost of about $100,000 annually.

Planned Giving 

Midwest Eye-Banks has established a charitable gift annuity program that allows individuals to make a financial commitment to the organization, while realizing tax benefits for the rest of their lives. Given Midwest's strong history of sound financial management and stewardship of contributed financial resources, prospective contributors can include the Eye-Bank in their estate plans and know that their resources will be handled with care. Planned giving serves an organization's constituency by providing important benefits for personal and family financial planning, particularly in the preservation and use of accumulated assets. Planned giving is an ideal fundraising method to encourage gifts for endowment purposes.