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Options for Giving Now

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

We rely on the generosity of our donors to invest in our current programming and to help us plan for our future, by ensuring we have the funding to offer these services at no or low cost. Your investment in the BVIC allows individuals to define and live life on their terms rather than letting their vision loss define it for them. Please be generous.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Steven Macias, 831-649-3505 or steven@blindandlowvision.org.


Your Gift Will Make a Difference!

Gifts of cash, stock, bonds, mutual funds, property, life insurance or other assets are greatly appreciated. We also welcome monthly giving, legacy gifts, and gifts-in-kind. Your gift is tax-deductible.

Donate by mail:

Donations at BVIC
225 Laurel Ave
Pacific Grove, Ca 93950

Donate Online through PayPal:





Lives Changed – Your Support Paves the Way Toward Independence

Our work as a nonprofit organization providing low vision assessments, training, social adjustment and independent living skills, we instill hope and empower individuals with vision loss to gain the skills and confidence they need to maintain their independence and desired quality of life. This is only possible through the generosity of donors, foundations and corporations like you.


Need for Services

As with other health issues, Low Vision conditions increase with age, with a marked rise beginning in the mid-sixties. According to a 2010 NEI study, 2% of all races aged 40+ will experience low vision, with those aged 80+ experiencing reduced vision at a rate of 17.25%. Females account for 63%, compared to males at 37%. This is partly due to females out living males. The prevalence by race is: White-2.2%, Black-1.2%, Hispanic–1.7%, and all other 1.5%. Of the average 2% of population experiencing low vision: 84% are White, 7% Black, 6% Hispanic, and 3% all other. Our 2015 statistics are in line with these numbers except with a higher Hispanic population, which is expected for our community.

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For Monterey County, with a population of 431,344 (2014 census.gov) this means an average of 8,626 of all residents are living with low vision. With 12% (51,761) of the population being age 64+, this means an estimated 1,035 seniors are experiencing vision loss. As the baby boomer population continues to age, the numbers in the 64+ range will increase. The National Federation of the Blind estimates that 2.4% (compared to NEI 2% rate) of the adult population is blind or has low vision, so these numbers could be even higher. The BVIC saw 355 unduplicated clients in 2016, far less than the projected needs of Monterey County, as this is what our current budget and staffing levels allow. Our staff works hard to efficiently and effectively use their time, but even so we have waiting lists for our various program services.

It can be an overwhelming and difficult adjustment to transition from living fully sighted to partially or not sighted. The BVIC is here as a safe harbor of hope and as a partner in the journey through this adjustment. As the only center for teaching low vision and blindness skills in the county, we take our role very seriously.

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Corporate Giving – Become a Visionary Partner

Your business or company can show its compassion for our mission by becoming a Visionary Partner. Through corporate grants, event sponsorship, donations and in-kind services, your partnership helps to remove barriers and build independence.

Please help us in supporting and thanking our generous business partners who make a difference in the lives of those in our community who are visually impaired!

List of Visionary Partners under development…


Give with Confidence

All gifts are receipted. BVIC will never rent, sell or share your information. If you wish your donation to be anonymous, please notify us at the time you make your gift. Your gift is tax-deductible.

Federal Tax ID #23-7221588

Confidentiality is very important to us, both for the individuals we serve and for our donors. BVIC will never rent, sell or share your information. The BVIC abides by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.


Other Giving Opportunities

Click to expand description

Become a Monthly Supporter

Providing ongoing support ensures a steady source of funds to assist our clients.

Simply complete the Donation Form and check the Monthly Charge Donation box or set-up your automatic monthly check donation. You can change or cancel your monthly donation at any time.

Memorial & Honorarium Gifts

Honor a special friend for birthdays, anniversaries, in mourning, or just to show your gratitude. We will send a thoughtful letter to the individual or the family being honored and provide your contact information. BVIC never discloses the amount of the gift.

Tribute Gift

If you or a family member would like to recognize someone – a mentor, employee, or volunteer – who played a special role in your journey at BVIC, you can make a donation in his or her honor.

The honoree will receive a card informing him or her of your thoughtful gift without reference to the amount. Your gift will pay tribute to a special person while also ensuring that tomorrow’s clients will continue to receive resources and services from our expert and caring team.

Contact vision@blindandlowvision.org or call (831) 649-3505.

Workplace / Employee Giving / United Way / Combined Federal Giving Campaign

Support BVIC by making charitable contributions through payroll deduction.

Make BVIC the beneficiary of your company or organization’s next event. Employees of your company or members of your organization can join together and design a fundraising event or an ongoing workplace campaign. Let us know how we can help.

If your workplace supports local charities through the United Way, Combined Federal Giving Campaign or other employee payroll deductions, you can designate The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County for your non-profit support.

Contact vision@blindandlowvision.org or call (831) 649-3505.

Company Matching Gifts

Many employers will match, double or even triple employee donations. You can make an even greater impact with your gift by taking advantage of your company’s matching gift benefit. Each company has its own guidelines for employees, spouses and retirees but most procedures are simple:

Simply request a Gift Matching Form from your Human Resources Department.

Complete and submit your portion of the form to The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County along with your gift.

Please mail to:

Resource Development Department
BVIC
225 Laurel Ave
Pacific Grove, Ca 93950

BVIC will verify your donation and return the completed form to your company so they can issue their matching contribution to BVIC!

Contact vision@blindandlowvision.org or call (831) 649-3505.

eScrip / S.H.A.R.E.S. / Benefit-Mobile

Hundreds of merchants have partnered with eScrip to provide non-profits a percentage of your purchases. Our registered name and number is: Blind-Visually Impaired Ctr Monterey Co; eScrip Group ID – 500024165. Simply visit https://secure.escrip.com/signup/, register, select to sign-up and select up to three non-profits. This eScrip Group ID number is good with hundreds of other participating merchants, too! Be sure to check other stores where you shop and select Blind-Visually Impaired Ctr Monterey Co to benefit!

Benefit-Mobile (https://www.benefit-mobile.com) is a free app you can download to your smart phone, purchase cards to your phone and use when you check-out without having to manage the physical card. Just use your app at check-out and BVIC gets a percentage of your purchase!

Save Mart S.H.A.R.E.S. Card is now eScrip on-line. Simply follow the directions above.

Contact vision@blindandlowvision.org or call (831) 649-3505.

Goodshop / GoodSearch

Select Blind and Visually Impaired Center – BVIC to benefit from your use of Goodshop (www.goodsearch.com/goodshop/). Don’t forget to download their mobile app.

Raise money for BVIC by simply doing the things you do every day online! When you search the internet, shop, dine, play games, locate coupons and more with GoodSearch.com (https://www.goodsearch.com), you can designate BVIC as your cause of choice. For more information and to get started, please visit GoodSearch.com

Donate a Car, Truck, Boat or RV through Chariots for Charity

Operated by the Old Capitol Lions Club, Chariots for Charity donations support BVIC with cash donations from the sale of donated vehicles. A huge thank you goes out to Russ Hatch who oversees this program! For more information or to donate a vehicle, please contact Russ Hatch at 831-659-5360.

What We Will Do
The Old Capitol Lions Club evaluates the vehicle (car, truck, boat, or other vehicle), has it safety checked, and makes it as salable as possible consistent with Blue Book values. They invest money and time for every vehicle that benefits all involved. They sell the vehicle on your behalf and the resulting funds benefit the Lions Club’s work with the BVIC. The registration will be transferred to the new owner and the Lions Club will handle smog certification and DMV transfer documents. We will then acknowledge your donation by letter for your tax purposes. The BVIC is a non-profit, charitable organization under the IRS Code Section 501 (c) 3. Individual tax situations vary so please check with a tax professional to determine how you may benefit.

What We Ask of You
Your signature on our Chariots for Charity donation form and the signed registration will enable the Lions Club to offer the vehicle for sale. We request that you retain ownership and liability insurance until the vehicle is sold. Otherwise, the BVIC will take title to the vehicle as soon as the smog certificate can be issued. We appreciate your cooperation and patience in enabling us to get a fair price for the vehicle.

Chariots for Charity Donation Form

Contact vision@blindandlowvision.org or call (831) 649-3505.

Wish List

Help us direct resources where they are needed most by donating in-kind gifts of supplies or items from our Wish List. We use these items in our classes and in social support activities and they are crucial to the success of our clients in reaching their goals. Donations of items used daily in the office also helps reduce operating cost. Gift cards to stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Michael’s, Beverly’s, Costco, Smart and Final, Staples, or grocery stores can also help us defray costs.

You may drop off donations at our office at 225 Laurel Ave, Pacific Grove. Please contact the Resource Development Department at vision@blindandlowvision.org to coordinate your donation.

View our Wish List

Legacy Giving

Over the years, many BVIC supporters have included us through bequests in their wills or with another type of legacy gift. Their foresight, and yours should you choose to join them, strengthens and helps ensure the future of The Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County.

Leave a Legacy