named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Travel Grants Program
Provides financial awards to individuals diagnosed with blindness, low vision, or degenerative vision conditions to support travel experiences before further vision loss occurs.
Travel Tips, Tricks, Tools, and Techniques
Offers comprehensive guidance for blind travelers, particularly those with guide dogs, covering airport navigation, security screening, lodging, transportation, and international travel regulations.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Fundraising and Financial Support for IDD Services 2 activities
- Funding organizations that support blind and low-vision individualsAwards grants to organizations that provide services or support to individuals who are blind or have low vision.
- Funding travel grants for community-benefiting travel projects led by blind individualsFinances travel projects designed and led by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, with the goal of benefiting the broader blind and low-vision community through education and awareness.
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
- Building capacity through partnerships and post-grant supportSecures partnerships to support grant winners, such as providing $1,000 in store credit via FEELDOM, and supports professional development, with 2023 grant recipients obtaining employment at organizations like Aira and Yahoo Sports.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Funding travel grants for individuals who are blind or have low visionAwards $10,000 travel grants to individuals who are blind or have low vision to support meaningful travel experiences and the creation of educational content. In 2023, three grants were awarded from over 150 applications, with recipients traveling to Japan, Ghana, and U.S. state and national parks.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Newsletter dissemination on organizational activitiesOffers a newsletter for subscribers interested in updates about the organization’s programs and initiatives.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Producing public outreach content on blind travelConducts interviews, maintains a blog, and produces a podcast to share stories and experiences of blind travelers as part of a public outreach initiative.
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Vision Rehabilitation Services 1 activity
- Supporting educational content creation by grant recipientsRequires and supports travel grant recipients in producing educational videos, blogs, and social media content documenting their travel experiences and use of accessibility tools, such as a widely viewed video on using Aira to operate a bidet in Japan.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Developing and publishing travel resources for blind travelersPublished and maintains a comprehensive guide on travel tips, tricks, tools, and techniques for blind travelers, reviewed in September 2025.
- Facilitating international aid and equipment deliveryOrganized the delivery of 163 white canes to the Ghana Blind Union in honor of International White Cane Day.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$79K
Contributions & grants$78K99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$77K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$39K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$90K
Cash$90K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$88K
Liquid reserves14.0 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue -25.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL WALSH | PRESIDENT | 40 | $24K |
| ANITA ROSALIE CHANDLER | SECRETARY | 20 | $7K |
board members · 2
- JOHN WALSH — VICE PRESIDENT
- MEGAN KENNEDY — TREASURER
relationships · 36
Who they work with
- Aira Partner — Partner organization where grant winner Marybai Huking was hired as Social Media Manager.
- Aira Partner — Provides donated Aira minutes to Blind Travel Foundation grant recipients for use during their travels.
- Aira Partner — Sponsor of the Blind Travel Foundation and featured in a podcast conversation.
- Ambutech Partner — Leading white cane manufacturer that donated canes for delivery to Ghana by a grant winner.
- Andy Warhol Foundation Funder — Provided a grant to Ted Tahquechi, a Blind Travel Foundation grant recipient, for developing tactile photography software and printing.
- Apple Inc. Partner — Provided a corporate matching gift to support Blind Travel Foundation.
- Challenged Athletes Foundation Partner — Partner organization offering athletic travel grants for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
- Cocky Guides Partner — Partner organization providing multi-sensory adventure tours in Australia for the blind and low-vision community.
- DAISY Consortium Partner — Collaborated on the development of travel resources for blind individuals.
- Daniel Gutz Partner — Recipient of a 2025 grant for the project "Unseen Chronicles".
- DiversiGO Partner — Partner organization offering guided tours in Budapest and Hungary for people with disabilities.
- Emeline Lakrout Partner — Recipient of a 2025 grant for the project "Unseen Chronicles".
- Erin Pruitt Partner — Recipient of a 2025 grant for the project "Accessible Travel on a Budget".
- FEELDOM Partner — Adaptive backpack company providing $1,000 in store credit to each 2025 grant winner.
- Foreseeable Futures Foundation Partner — Partner organization offering financial and travel assistance grants for athletic activities.
- Ghana Blind Union Partner — Organization in Ghana receiving white cane donations from Blind Travel Foundation grant winners.
- Gordon and Llura Gund Foundation Funder — Provided a $30,000 matching grant in 2023 and issued a $60,000 matching challenge grant for 2024.
- Gordon and Llura Gund Foundation Funder — Provided a $30,000 matching grant to support Blind Travel Foundation's travel grant program.
- Gordon and Llura Gund Foundation Funder — Provided a $60,000 matching grant to support the foundation’s operations and growth.
- Ignasi Cambra Partner — Recipient of a 2025 grant for the project "Blind Notes".
- James T. and Louise R. Broyhill Foundation Partner — Provided a generous contribution toward Blind Travel Foundation's matching grant goal.
- Mike May Partner — Advisor and board member who contributes expertise in travel and technology for the blind community.
- Mike Walsh Partner — Founder and Executive Director of Blind Travel Foundation
- Minds Eye Travel Partner — Partner organization offering worldwide excursions for the blind and visually impaired, emphasizing accessibility and comfort.
- Monica Pruitt Partner — Recipient of a 2025 grant for the project "Accessible Travel on a Budget".
- National Guardian Life Insurance Company Partner — Made a large and unexpected gift that helped Blind Travel Foundation secure a matching grant.
- Planet Abled Partner — Partner organization providing inclusive vacations in India for people with disabilities.
- Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) Partner — Contributed to the creation of travel guidance materials for blind travelers.
- Seable Partner — Partner organization creating customized, inclusive vacations for blind and partially sighted travelers focused on independence and cultural immersion.
- Seeing Eye Partner — Provided expertise in guide dog training and travel for inclusion in travel resources.
+ 6 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Led Travel Empowerment Modelmethodology: community-led travel initiativesBy supporting blind and low-vision individuals to create and lead their own travel initiatives, the organization fosters leadership, self-direction, and community visibility, because empowering individuals to design their own experiences strengthens agency and models independence for others.
- Storytelling Amplification Through Mediamethodology: storytelling_amplificationBy using podcasting and newsletters to amplify the voices of blind travelers, the organization increases the reach and impact of personal narratives, because accessible media platforms extend public engagement beyond direct travel experiences.
- Travel-Based Education and Public Understandingmethodology: travel-for-educationBy providing travel grants to individuals who are blind or have low vision, the organization enables them to explore the world and share their experiences, thereby educating the public and increasing societal understanding of blindness, because lived storytelling fosters empathy and challenges misconceptions.