Vision Loss Resources
Vision Loss Resources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1914 that provides rehabilitation training, social support, and community services for individuals with vision loss, low vision, and deafblindness in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1914
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Vision Loss Resources does
Vision Loss Resources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1914 (originally as the Minneapolis Society for the Blind) and headquartered at 3230 Spruce Street in Little Canada, Minnesota. The organization provides rehabilitation, training, social-emotional support, and community programming for individuals with vision loss, low vision, and combined hearing and vision loss (deafblindness) across the Twin Cities. Its core service portfolio includes Adjustment to Blindness training (personalized rehabilitation and independent living skills), Professional Training with continuing education units (CEUs), Social and Emotional Support Services (support groups, peer mentoring, book clubs, and events), Technology Training on assistive devices, Resources and Information (educational content on eye diseases, sighted guide guides, books by clients, eye care specialist listings), and Business Training for Employers. The DeafBlind Services Minnesota subsidiary, joined the organization in 2005, serves children and adults with combined hearing and vision loss. A separate wholly-owned social-enterprise subsidiary, Contract Production Services, provides co-packing revenue that contributes to organizational stability.
The organization's business model is a hybrid of contributed income and program/earned revenue. Donations from individuals (processed via the Donor Perfect platform) and grants constitute the primary funding mechanism, augmented by a Live Well at Home grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and revenue from the Contract Production Services co-packing subsidiary. Services are delivered directly in-person at the Little Canada office and through community locations across the Twin Cities, as well as virtually via Zoom and conference calls, with no commercial product distribution. GTM is community-led: outreach to culturally-specific community leaders, eye care professionals, professionals who work with older adults, and healthcare providers drives awareness and referrals, supported by organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter), an email newsletter, and the organization's website. Strategic partnerships extend reach into the state rehabilitation ecosystem, including collaborations with State Services for the Blind (SSB), the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH), the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and the Minnesota Access Alliance. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors chaired by Tony Thomann, with leadership from President and CEO Matt Kramer (appointed February 2023).
Vision Loss Resources firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vision Loss Resources
- Legal name
- Vision Loss Resources, Inc.
- Website
- https://visionlossresources.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1914
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Vision Loss Resources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1914 that provides rehabilitation training, social support, and community services for individuals with vision loss, low vision, and deafblindness in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vision Loss Resources industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vision Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
Keywords
Where Vision Loss Resources is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Vision Loss Resources business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on donations from the public to fund programs and services for individuals with vision loss.
- Grant Funding: Funded in part by a Live Well at Home grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Vision Loss Resources product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vision Loss Resources provides personalized vision rehabilitation training, independent living skills instruction, and assistive-technology training for individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. It also runs social and emotional support programs — including peer support groups, mentor pairings, book clubs, and community events — and offers professional continuing-education and employer accessibility training. The organization's DeafBlind Services Minnesota subsidiary additionally serves children and adults with combined hearing and vision loss.
Product overview
Vision Loss Resources is a single unified nonprofit service organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs for individuals with vision loss, low vision, and deafblindness. The core offerings include Adjustment to Blindness Training (personalized rehabilitation), Professional Training with continuing education (CEUs), Social & Emotional Support Services (support groups, peer mentoring, events), and Resources and Information. The subsidiary program DeafBlind Services Minnesota serves individuals with combined hearing and vision loss. Additional services include Technology Training and Business Training for employers. The organization operates from its main office in Little Canada, Minnesota, and has a history dating back to 1914.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adjustment to Blindness Training Personalized training programs helping individuals adapt to vision loss through rehabilitation and independent living skills, delivered to clients in the Twin Cities area.
- Professional Training with CEUs Training programs for healthcare and service-provider professionals with continuing education units (CEUs), covering signs of vision loss, emotional impact, and accessibility.
- Social & Emotional Support Services Support groups, peer mentoring, and social activities including book clubs, movie days, low-vision support groups, and virtual meetings for individuals with vision loss.
- DeafBlind Services Minnesota A wholly owned subsidiary program advancing the independence of children and adults with combined hearing and vision loss across Minnesota.
- Technology Training In-person and virtual technology training sessions covering assistive technologies and devices for individuals with vision loss.
- Business Training for Employers Training and accessibility infrastructure evaluation services for businesses on how to support low-vision and blind employees and customers.
- Volunteer Reader and Shopping Support Services Volunteer programs providing reading and shopping assistance to community members with vision loss in the Twin Cities.
Companies that use Vision Loss Resources
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Vision Loss Resources technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Vision Loss Resources partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- State Services for the Blind (SSB)coreState agency partnership providing services to blind and visually impaired Minnesotans. SSB offers summer programs, vocational rehabilitation, and independent living services. Vision Loss Resources works with SSB to provide comprehensive services to clients.
- Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH)coreState commission providing outreach and engagement specialists. VLR participates in panel discussions and collaborative events organized by MNCDHH to improve services for DeafBlind individuals.
- Minnesota Access AllianceminorCollaboration on accessible arts and culture events. The Minnesota Access Alliance publishes a calendar of accessible events that VLR promotes to its community.
- Minnesota Department of Human ServicescoreFunded in part by a Live Well at Home grant. Also collaborates on Telephone Equipment Distribution Program for people with hearing or speech disabilities.
- Community Organizations and Healthcare ProvidersminorOutreach program building relationships with culturally-specific community leaders, eye care professionals, and professionals who work with older adults to increase awareness of services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vision Loss Resources competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Second Sense (Chicago): Chicago-based nonprofit offering rehabilitation training, independent living services, and assistive-technology programs for people with vision loss — closely mirrors VLR's mix of Adjustment to Blindness training, tech training, and social support.
- San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Regional nonprofit in a single metro (SF Bay Area) providing vision rehabilitation, vocational services, and adaptive technology training to blind and low-vision residents — same single-region community-based model as VLR.
- The Chicago Lighthouse: Midwest-based nonprofit operating vision rehabilitation, education, and employment programs for people with vision loss, including a strong social enterprise — a direct functional overlap on rehab services and Contract Production-style revenue diversification.
- Outlook Foundation / Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: California nonprofit delivering low vision rehabilitation, counseling, and assistive-tech training in a defined regional catchment — comparable service mix and single-region operating model.
- VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: New York City-based nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired residents with rehabilitation, social services, and adaptive technology — same multi-service regional nonprofit model as VLR.
Emerging players
- Hadley (Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired): National nonprofit providing distance-education and assistive-tech learning to people with vision loss nationwide — competing with VLR's training programs via a remote-first, geographically unconstrained model.
Broad incumbents
- Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit combining vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and healthcare services across multiple U.S. locations — broader portfolio but overlapping mission on vision rehab and training.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National advocacy, research, and resource organization serving blind and low-vision populations — overlaps with VLR's professional training and resource library functions.
Regional players
- State Services for the Blind (SSB) — Minnesota: Minnesota state agency providing vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to blind/visually impaired residents — VLR's identified strategic partner and a key public-sector provider in the same Twin Cities catchment.
Others
- Minnesota Access Alliance: Minnesota nonprofit coalition publishing accessible arts and culture event calendars — an ecosystem partner with which VLR co-promotes community programming, not a direct service competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vision Loss Resources social profiles
Digital presenceVision Loss Resources financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vision Loss Resources leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Vision Loss Resources subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Vision Loss Resources funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vision Loss Resources M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vision Loss Resources
What does Vision Loss Resources do?
Vision Loss Resources provides personalized vision rehabilitation training, independent living skills instruction, and assistive-technology training for individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. It also runs social and emotional support programs — including peer support groups, mentor pairings, book clubs, and community events — and offers professional continuing-education and employer accessibility training. The organization's DeafBlind Services Minnesota subsidiary additionally serves children and adults with combined hearing and vision loss.
Is Vision Loss Resources a public or private company?
Vision Loss Resources is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Vision Loss Resources founded?
Vision Loss Resources was founded in 1914. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Vision Loss Resources based?
Vision Loss Resources is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vision Loss Resources make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are grant Funding.
Who are Vision Loss Resources's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Second Sense (Chicago), San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Chicago Lighthouse, Outlook Foundation / Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Hadley (Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Lighthouse Guild and American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). State Services for the Blind (SSB) — Minnesota is listed as a regional player. Minnesota Access Alliance is listed as an others.
Does Vision Loss Resources have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vision Loss Resources.
What industry is Vision Loss Resources in?
Vision Loss Resources's product category is Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.