Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness
Click the image above to view and download our 2024 Annual Report
The mission of the Michigan Foundation for Vision Awareness (MFVA) is to provide educational outreach to people of all ages regarding their vision and eye health; to award academic scholarships to optometric students; to help fund grants to organizations that support vision related scientific research and to award grants to organizations helping the underserved that promote eye health and well being.
You know vision is a gift.
That’s why you can appreciate the joy of nearly 700 young Special Olympics athletes receiving prescription glasses. Or knowing that 150 children of Northern Michigan migrant workers received free vision screenings and follow-up care.
Support us by applying for grants to support your vision related project, or by joining the MFVA Board. If you have a vision-related project you need assistance with, please complete our online application for a project or research grant.
In the spirit of staying connected, the MFVA is on social media! Feel free to view our posts, glance through pictures, and post how you are educating Michigan about the importance of eye health and vision.
MFVA Grant recipient Dr. Avesh Raghunandan with MFVA Vice President, Dr. Cynthia Geneva and MFVA Past President, Michael Becker.
Dr. Julie Marvin-Manders, Lindsey Lewis, Dr. Cynthia Geneva and Dr. Mitch Dobrezelewski.
Recipients of first-year optometry scholarship with MCO Dean, Dr. David Damari and MFVA Past President, Michael Becker.
Project Grant Application
Grants will be reviewed by the MFVA Board shortly after the deadline dates of September 1 and March 1 of each year. It is imperative that your request be submitted prior to or by no later than the above dates to be considered by the Board in a timely manner. Submission of the application does in no way mean the funds will be granted. No plans or commitments should be made by the applicant until the request has been evaluated and approved by MFVA. Learn more
Research Grant Application
Grants will be reviewed by the MFVA Board shortly after the deadline dates of September 1 and March 1 of each year. It is imperative that your request be submitted prior to or by no later than the above dates to be considered by the Board in a timely manner. Applicant should complete the form with appropriate attachments, including letters of support and/or recommendation from faculty of sponsoring institution. Learn more
Our Impact
The MFVA has awarded more than $1,000,000 in grants and scholarships since 1995!
$185,049
Given in Grant awards in 2024
The MFVA awards grants annually for research and projects. In 2024, grants were awarded to: Great Lakes Bay Health Centers $49,231 for exam equipment for mobile optometry clinic to schools in Saginaw. Exalta Health $38,283 for exam lane equipment and visual field machine. St. Luke N.E.W Life Center Free Eye Clinic $8,220 for an autorefractor. Gary Burnstein Clinic $15,995 for optometry equipment including NCT and OCT machine. MCO $4,443 for a low vision research project. UD Mercy Optometry $32,125 for Myopia research: Multifocal contact lenses. Knights of Malta Clinic $16,309 for eye exam lane equipment for optometry students to rotate through the clinic serving Detroit. Association for Blind and Visually Impaired $3,561 for low vision equipment.
$30,000
Scholarship awards in 2024
Scholarships support Michigan first-year MCO optometry students or 3rd year optometry students. The MFVA has awarded $738,000 ($654,525 to MCO) in scholarships since 1958!
$16,880
For svosh trips in 2024
MFVA has supported the Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH) with funding of more than $200,000!