The Rudolph Williams Charitable Trust is dedicated exclusively to supporting nonprofit organizations that provide benefits and services to blind individuals. This specialized trust offers financial support to qualifying charities that are solely organized for the aid and advancement of people who are blind. The fund focuses on organizations based in New Jersey but allows distributions for use anywhere within the United States.
Grants are intended to support organizations working in the fields of education, health, human services, and public or societal benefit, provided these programs are specifically designed for individuals who are blind. To be eligible, applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and must be exclusively organized to benefit blind persons. This is a key limitation—only organizations with a mission entirely focused on serving the blind community are considered.
The trust does not fund requests from private individuals or for political activities. With an average grant size of $3,000 and approximately five grants awarded annually, the trust supports focused, mission-aligned nonprofit efforts rather than large-scale funding initiatives. The application process is straightforward but competitive due to the trust's narrow focus and limited annual disbursement.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, but to be considered during the annual grant cycle, submissions must be received by April 15. Grant decisions are made in June. Once an application is submitted, an automated confirmation email is sent. If selected for funding, grantees may be required to submit periodic progress reports to detail how the funds were used and the outcomes of the funded work.
Organizations should prepare a clear and concise proposal that demonstrates how their mission and activities are aligned solely with benefiting blind individuals. Providing specific details about program goals, populations served, and intended impact will improve competitiveness
