Readers Digest Partners For Sight Foundation

What Readers Digest Partners For Sight Foundation does

Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity foundation established in 1955 by DeWitt Wallace, founder of The Reader's Digest Association, and headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York. The foundation operates two distinct lines of activity in service of its mission to foster independence for blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals. The primary program is strategic grantmaking to US 501(c)(3) organizations serving the BVI community, structured across four tracks — Continuation Grants (up to $175,000), Track #1 Proven Program Grants (up to $150,000), Track #2 Single Program Grants (up to $350,000), and Track #3 Small Discretionary Grants ($5,000-$10,000) — with annual giving of $600,000 to $1,000,000 drawn from an endowment of approximately $14 million.

The second line of activity is a consumer publishing business, Reader's Digest Fiction Favorites Large Print, which provides a curated subscription of five volumes (ten best-selling fiction books) per year in accessible large-print format at $25 per year. This service serves approximately 31,000 subscribers and generates roughly $1 million in annual revenue, with a portion of proceeds funding the foundation's grantmaking mission. Subscription fulfillment runs through a dedicated e-commerce platform (ssl.drgnetwork.com) with phone support at 1-800-877-5293. The foundation is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors (including Board Chair Matthew G. Krieger, Vice Chair Angela C. Winfield, and Treasurer/Secretary John Krieger) and operated by a very small staff of 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Soja Orlowski, who joined in October 2024. The foundation's geographic footprint is United States only, with no disclosed plans for international expansion.

Name

Readers Digest Partners For Sight Foundation

Legal name

Reader's Digest Partners For Sight

Website

https://partnersforsight.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that supports blind and visually impaired individuals through strategic grantmaking to service organizations and a 31,000-subscriber large print book subscription service, operating with a $14M endowment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Grantmaking and Accessible Publishing

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG)

Keywords

• Nonprofit foundation
• Grantmaking services
• Large print publishing
• Blind support services
• Accessibility resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Kisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grantmaking: RDPFS is a public charitable grantmaking foundation that annually awards up to $600,000 in grants to organizations assisting blind and visually impaired people. Has approximately $14 million in endowment assets and annual giving between $600k to $1MM.
2. Large Print Book Subscriptions: Publishes Reader's Digest Fiction Favorites Large Print, providing approximately 31,000 subscribers with best-selling fiction in easy-to-read large print format. Generates approximately $1MM in revenue annually. Subscription price is $25 per year for five volumes containing ten books total.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving blind and visually impaired individuals, and publishes a Reader's Digest Fiction Favorites Large Print book subscription service. It supports BVI independence through grantmaking (up to $600,000 annually) and accessible publishing.

Product overview

Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation operates two primary offerings: a large print book subscription service (Fiction Favorites Large Print Books) providing bestsellers in accessible large print format, and a grantmaking program that funds organizations serving blind and visually impaired individuals. The organization also publishes the RDPFS Bulletin news resource and connects the BVI community to partner organizations and resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Reader's Digest Fiction Favorites Large Print: Large print book subscription service providing best-selling fiction in easy-to-read large print format. Subscribers receive five volumes annually (ten books total) for $25.

Products and services

• Fiction Favorites Large Print Books A large print book subscription service offering five volumes annually (ten best-selling books total) featuring fiction, romance, mystery, biography, and adventure genres in easy-to-read large print format. Annual subscription priced at $25, with each subscriber receiving a large-print calendar. Approximately 31,000 subscribers.
• Grantmaking Program Strategic philanthropy program awarding grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the blind and visually impaired community. Annual grantmaking target of $600,000 across four grant types: Continuation Grants (up to $175,000), Track #1 Proven Program Grants (up to $150,000), Track #2 Single Program Grants (up to $350,000), and Track #3 Small Discretionary Grants ($5,000-$10,000).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $13 million in grants awarded in the last 25 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• American Council of the Blind (ACB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlexandria, VA based organization advocating for independence, security, equality of opportunity for blind and visually impaired people. Received $50,000 for Community Engagement Platform providing best practices standards, curriculum, and software training for Zoom meeting hosts and attendees with vision loss.
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's largest nonprofit creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products. Hosts APH Connect Center originally developed through $1 million RDPFS investment. Provides articles, tools, guides, and directory of services for those with vision loss.
• The Carroll Center for the BlindmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewton, MA based foremost leader in vision rehabilitation services. Awarded $43,000 for 14-22 year old BVI students' Careers in Accessibility Training Program for employable digital proficiency, with continuation into Screen Reader User Tester Training (SRUTT) program.
• The Chicago LighthousemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago, IL based leader in comprehensive vision care and social services. Awarded $50,000 for new training curriculum supporting career advancement for BVI individuals employed in their IT call center, enabling higher IT certification and professional growth.
• Perkins School for the BlindmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatertown, MA based international leader in blindness education. Awarded $100,000 for The Perkins CVI Protocol, a whole-child initiative providing assessment tools and training to increase early CVI diagnosis for children.
• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually ImpairedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinnetka, IL based organization serving older adults adjusting to vision loss. Received $72,500 for Microsoft Seeing AI video workshop series development. Provides free services including online community membership, workshops, monthly discussion groups, and peer-to-peer support at 800-323-4238.
• Lighthouse GuildmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York, NY based organization providing exceptional comprehensive services inspiring people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. Received $52,700 for Insightful Saturdays Virtual Youth Enrichment Program serving geographically isolated children.
• National Braille Press (NBP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston, MA based organization promoting literacy of blind children through braille. Received $50,000 for TVI Braille Ignition Kits Program providing braille and large print teaching materials to Teachers of the Vision Impaired.
• VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually ImpairedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York, NY based organization providing individualized programs for people who are blind and visually impaired of all ages. Received $100,000 for new group Adaptive Living Program (ALP) training for legally blind older adults (age 55+) at the VISIONS Center on Blindness.
• Guiding Eyes for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYorktown Heights, NY based organization passionate about connecting exceptional guide dogs to people with vision loss. Received $40,000 to provide other U.S. guide/service dog organizations with training and resources to utilize the International Working Dog Registry (IWDR).
• Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlexandria, VA based organization. Awarded $31,000 for Ambassador Program recruiting BVI veterans as peer advocate-facilitators to connect more veterans to VA's Blind Rehabilitation Service across all 50 states and U.S. territories.
• Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually ImpairedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCincinnati, OH based organization operating Pediatric Low Vision Clinic in partnership with Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Received $30,000 grant to serve approximately 700 children and youth ages 3-21 with comprehensive low vision evaluations and rehabilitation services.
• Kings Bay YM-YWHA, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn, NY based organization operating Summer Day Camp for Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision on Fort Hamilton Army Base. Received $30,000 grant to serve at least 60 blind and low vision youth ages 4-17 with adaptive recreation and mobility training.
• KidpowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia based organization addressing heightened risk of bullying, harassment, and abuse for BVI individuals. Received $25,000 grant to equip approximately 100 participants with 'People Safety,' boundaries, consent, and self-advocacy skills through workshops and professional trainings.
• APH Connect CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource directory originally developed as Visionaware.org with significant RDPFS grants. Provides articles, tools, guides, and directory of services for those with vision loss. APH is the world's largest nonprofit creating accessible learning experiences.
• HadleymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes older adults adjusting to vision loss with free services including online community membership and training videos, monthly discussion groups, and peer-to-peer support. Contact: 800-323-4238 or HadleyHelps.org.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Perkins School for the Blind: International leader in blindness education serving children and adults with BVI; current RDPFS grantee partner for the Perkins CVI Protocol. Directly comparable BVI service organization.
• Lighthouse Guild: NYC-based organization providing comprehensive vision care and social services to BVI individuals; also a current RDPFS grantee partner. Directly comparable BVI service organization.
• American Foundation for the Blind: National nonprofit providing direct services, advocacy, and research for the BVI community. Operates with comparable grantmaking and service programs targeted at blind and visually impaired populations.
• National Federation of the Blind: Largest nationwide BVI advocacy and service organization with scholarship, training, and community programs funded by donations. Direct peer in serving the BVI community through programming and outreach.
• American Printing House for the Blind: World's largest nonprofit creating accessible learning experiences for BVI; houses the APH Connect Center originally developed with a $1M RDPFS investment. Directly comparable BVI service organization.
• Thorndike Press: Major large print publisher (a Gale/Cengage imprint) producing hardcover accessible editions of fiction and nonfiction. Direct publishing peer to RDPFS's Fiction Favorites Large Print subscription.
• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Education provider serving older adults adjusting to vision loss through workshops, online community, and peer support. Current RDPFS grantee partner developing Microsoft Seeing AI workshops.
• Center Point Large Print: Independent large print publisher specializing in mid-list fiction and nonfiction in accessible formats for libraries and readers. Direct competitor in the large print book subscription market.
• National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled: Library of Congress-administered free loan program for BVI providing large print, braille, and audio books. Competes indirectly with RDPFS's paid large print subscription service within the same reader demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Reader's Digest: Original parent brand of RDPFS, founded by DeWitt Wallace; current broad media and publishing company with overlap in large print and condensed publications. Heritage connection to RDPFS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Readers Digest Partners For Sight Foundation