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EnglishHow the Lowell Association for the Blind Is Funded and How You Can Support It
Updated
The Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB) is a non-profit, community-based organization, and its work is funded through a mix of memorial donations, grants from foundations, and program funding. If you want to support LAB, the most direct route is to contribute to those funding streams—though the site does not publish an online donation form, payment platform, or membership pricing, so you will need to contact the office directly to ask how to give.
What LAB Is
LAB was established in 1923 and has served the Greater Lowell/Merrimack Valley community for over 97 years. Its stated mission is "to support, educate, and nurture the blind and visually impaired residents of the Greater Merrimack Valley."
It is a non-profit, community-based organization rather than a government agency, which is why contributions from the community matter to its operation.
How LAB Is Funded
According to the organization's own description, LAB is supported by three main sources:
| Funding source | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Memorial donations | Gifts made in memory of someone, given by families and community members |
| Grants from foundations | Funding awarded by philanthropic foundations |
| Program funding | Money tied to specific programs and services |
Because these are the only funding sources the site names, treat any other revenue assumptions—such as government contracts or fees for service—as unconfirmed.
Who LAB Serves
Understanding who benefits from your support helps you decide whether to give:
- Youth Services — programs for participants between the ages of 5 and 22.
- Adult Services — programs for participants age 22 and older.
- Technology Services — on-site training with assistive technology.
- Radio Reading Service — broadcasts from the downtown office, live on weekdays.
The office in downtown Lowell provides 4,000 square feet of accessible space used for meetings, adaptive equipment training, braille lessons, and a radio/recording studio.
How to Support LAB
The site does not list a donation link, payment platform, or suggested giving levels, so the practical steps are:
- Contact the office directly using the "Contact Us" section of the website to ask about current giving options.
- Ask specifically about memorial donations if you wish to give in memory of someone, since this is one of the named funding sources.
- Ask whether foundation or grant support is welcome if you represent a foundation or are exploring grantmaking.
- Ask about program funding if you want your contribution directed to a specific service, such as Youth Services, Adult Services, Technology Services, or the Radio Reading Service.
Because no online payment method is published on the page, do not assume you can donate through the website without confirming with LAB first.
Why Support Matters
A client testimonial from Suzy Eppling, MS, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, describes LAB as doing "an outstanding job supporting the needs of both children and adults with vision loss," noting educational and social opportunities, sensory-rich field trips, welcoming and knowledgeable staff, and clients traveling from as far as Littleton and Salem twice a week to take part in the LAB community.
That description points to the kind of work your contribution funds: programs, field trips, and a physical space where people with vision loss can build skills and independence.