Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Receives $250K Grant from NextFifty Initiative

Brookline, MA – February 15, 2022 — Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) has received $250,000 from NextFifty Initiative, a Colorado-based foundation that supports efforts to improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers. This funding will allow MABVI to expand its services for older adults across Massachusetts who live with blindness and low vision, and to invest in innovative efforts such as MABVI’s Age-Friendly initiative and Access Technology Training Program.

Sassy Outwater-Wright, MABVI’s Executive Director, shared: “MABVI is incredibly proud to have been awarded a grant from NextFifty Initiative to support thousands of older adults in their journey through vision loss. Grants such as these are transformative – especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has exacerbated already-present obstacles for older adults with disabilities.” NextFifty’s investment will allow MABVI to have even greater impact ̶ more older adults who are blind or low vision will have the tools and resources to live healthy lives with confidence, autonomy, and increased social connectedness. Through statewide Age-friendly efforts, MABVI is also working with key state elder service agencies and five Gateway city partners to ensure that health equity and access to care is prioritized for every individual who is blind or low vision.

“Our goal is to transform the way our society views and experiences aging, and that influences the types of and projects we fund,” said Diana McFail, president and CEO of NextFifty Initiative. “MABVI’s work with older adults aligns with our efforts to improve and sustain the quality of life for people in their second 50 years. We offer our support and congratulations.”

About MABVI

Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) is the oldest social service organization in the country that serves older adults who live with blindness or low vision. MABVI’s dedicated staff provide high-impact, cost-effective services, including vision rehabilitation, adjustment to vision loss, peer-led support groups, and access/assistive technology training to those who are aging into vision loss. MABVI also partners with community and medical groups and relies on hundreds of generous volunteers. http://www.mabvi.org

About NextFifty Initiative

NextFifty Initiative is a Colorado-based, private foundation funding efforts to improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers. The foundation works with community leaders, experts in the field of aging, and front-line professionals to support programs and projects that positively impact aging and longevity. They focus on education, sharing best practices, and supporting innovation that will transform aging for generations to come. To learn more, visit www.Next50Initiative.org.