Giving Options

Donor Stories: Legacy Gifts to Braille Institute

Ordinary people are showing extraordinary generosity by making donations and leaving legacy gifts to Braille Institute. These stories show that kindness is evident in people from all walks of life.

The one constant since our founding has been that the impact we have on the lives of blind and visually impaired men, women, children and their families is not possible without our generous donors.

Each one of these stories represents the very best humanity has to offer. Because of each donor’s enduring love of life and concern for others, their memories will never be extinguished, and their gifts will remind us all that we, too, can make a difference in the lives of children and adults served by Braille Institute for years to come.

Read stories of hope and inspiration about those served by Braille Institute.

It All Started With One Couple’s Gift to Braille Institute

“I mean this, Mr. Atkinson. If you will undertake it, Mr. Longyear and I are prepared to contribute $5,000 a year for five years, toward the establishment and operation of a braille printing plant such as I’ve mentioned...”

Mrs. John M. Longyear
January, 1919

When a Montana cowboy, J. Robert “Bob” Atkinson was blinded by a gunshot wound, he discovered a sparse and expensive supply of braille reading materials. Experiencing frustration and a lack of resources, he was determined to eliminate the shortage of braille literature. By securing a grant from East Coast philanthropists, John and Mary Longyear, their collaborative efforts helped to establish the Universal Braille Press in 1919, which became incorporated as Braille Institute of America, Inc. in 1929.

Since 1919, we have grown from a small braille press (developed in Atkinson’s home garage) to five regional centers serving tens of thousands of blind and visually impaired adults and children each year. And in the more than eight decades that Braille Institute has served the community, we have expanded our programs and services to include a nationally recognized free library, free low vision rehabilitation services and classes, free early childhood education programs, free youth and career programs, free community outreach programs and, of course, our press department that provides free braille publications to young readers. Only now we call it Braille Publishing.

But one thing hasn’t changed. We still rely on the support of individuals, not the government, to help us provide our programs and services.

It all began with that first gift from John and Mary Longyear. It will continue for many years to come through the continued generosity of people like you.

Related links:

Donate Now Online, By Phone or By Mail – Your gift now will bring hope to thousands in Southern California and across the nation.

A Bequest for Braille Institute – Leaving a bequest through your will or trust is easy.

Charitable Gift Annuities – A Charitable Gift Annuity will pay you lifetime income in return for a donation to Braille Institute.