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Non-profit funding sight-saving research for children

Check our Past Winners page for all past winners! ✨🌟

18,900+ reviews · rated 4.9 Excellent on Trustpilot and Google

We’re Funding Sight-Saving Clinical Trials to Treat Childhood Blindness.

Our goal is to advance therapies for pediatric inherited retinal diseases. Our current target: we are fundraising for rare disease research and gene-agnostic therapies for childhood blindness.

ENTER A FUNDRAISERSee our impact
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Current Fundraisers

You can make an impact on saving childhood eyesight by entering our giveaway fundraisers.

How our fundraisers work

Built on trust and transparency

Learn how you can make an impact on sight-saving research and have a chance to win a life-changing prize.

  1. Donate to support sight-saving researchEntries are automatically captured and can be seen in your Donor Portal.
  2. Winner selection by third-party adminWe aren't involved in the winner selection process, to ensure fairness and compliance.
  3. Winner livestream announcementWe announce all winners live on social media. See our past winner calls!
  4. It's time for winner day!For vehicle prizes, we fly the winner to Arizona to get the keys, a free-and-clear title, and the prize cash.

What you can check for yourself

  • Registered 501(c)(3), EIN 92-2174042Exempt under Section 501(c)(3); look us up on the IRS and Candid.
  • 18,900+ verified reviews on Trustpilot and GoogleRated 4.9 Excellent. Read what past entrants and winners say.
  • Registered and bonded sweepstakesEligibility, all methods of entry, and start and end dates are published before every fundraiser.
  • Donor PortalCheck your entries for any fundraiser you've joined.
Fundraiser FAQs

Our impact

Sight-saving research funded

$6.1M

granted to sight-saving research as of November 2026, from giveaway fundraisers and direct donations. Every mile below was paid for by entries like yours.

  1. $1MFirst grant: AXV-101 gene therapy for BBS1

    To Axovia Therapeutics, to move a gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa caused by BBS1 toward a clinical trial.

    Oct 2024
  2. $2MManufacturing and safety studies

    Second Axovia grant: GLP toxicology, manufacturing, and the regulatory work needed before a trial could open.

    Dec 2024 · announced Feb 2025
  3. $1MClinical trial authorization

    Third Axovia grant, bringing AXV-101 funding to $4M; the UK trial application was cleared in Q3 2025.

    Sep 2025
  4. $1.1MTrial fully funded

    Closed the remaining funding gap; RAB's total funding for AXV-101 reaches $5.1M, from lab to first patient.

    Dec 2025 · announced Jan 2026
  5. $1MGene-agnostic research

    With Foundation Fighting Blindness: $775,000 to the RD Fund for gene-agnostic research, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Gund Foundation Challenge, and $225,000 to Dr. Thomas Mendel at Ohio State.

    Jun 2026
  6. OpenResearch Grants Program

    Researchers worldwide can now apply for RAB funding through the Grants Portal.

    Aug 2026
  7. Next grantThe next grant

    Decided by the fundraisers running now.

    Enter a fundraiser
Where the totals come from

Amounts and dates come from our grant records and update when a new grant is announced. Each grant links to its announcement where available.

Visit the Grants Portal

About us

We were told there was nothing we could do.

It isn't a race we run. It's a race against time. Kristina and Stephen Johnston founded A Race Against Blindness after their son Luke was diagnosed with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare genetic condition that is slowly taking his sight. What began as a race to fund one gene therapy for one gene has grown into funding research across inherited retinal diseases, a grants program for scientists, and an education hub for families.

  1. 2020Luke's diagnosis, and a decision

    No treatment existed for RP caused by BBS1. We decided to fund one.

  2. 2023A Race Against Blindness is founded

    Our family became the first donor, donating our first prize: the 2023 Adventure Van giveaway fundraiser that started it all.

  3. 2024First $1 million grant

    To Axovia Therapeutics for AXV-101, a gene therapy for RP caused by BBS1.

  4. 2026Initiation of the AXV-101 gene therapy clinical trial

    A total of $5.1M in grant support from RAB made this trial initiation possible.

  5. 2026Expanding our impact

    New $1M grant to gene-agnostic clinical research in partnership with Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Read our storyMeet the team

See our Feature on Good Morning America!

Luke’s story of seeing the world before losing more vision was featured on GMA, helping propel our mission to the national level.

Winner's circle

Recent winners

View all past winners

Real winners

Latest fundraiser stories

Who won, how the day unfolded, and what every entry funded for children with inherited retinal diseases.

All fundraiser stories
Danette H. with the Rossmönster Baja LX expedition truck she won

Winner story, November 9, 2026

Who Won the Final Chance Baja Adventure Truck Fundraiser? Danette H. from Iowa

Danette H. from Iowa won the Rossmönster Baja LX and $100,000 cash on Sept 7, 2026, after the first winner chose cash. The Baja finally has a home.

Read the story

Don't take our word for it. Take theirs.

Every review you see here is collected and verified by Trustpilot, not by us. We can't edit them, hide them, or pick the order.

We show every star rating, one through five, because that's what transparency means.

ExcellentTrustScore 4.9 out of 5Rated 4.9 / 5 · 18,919 reviewsTrustpilot
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best raffle you could get involved with along with acquiring of tickets was a very…

    The acquiring of tickets was a very easy process, very reasonable prices for such a great cause too. Most of all the information on the cause was an awesome read and heartbreaking at the same time, and the fact that there is still people out there in our country that strive to help on the issues of our children with health and medical along with disabilities that effect their future is such an outstanding way to help others in our country by offering such an exceptional prize on an raffle for purchasing tickets for your chance to win for an exceptional cause. I personally feel like they deserve an outstanding applause for doing what they are doing on this kind of issue facing our children’s life and futures. Thank you for caring so deeply that you do these things for others.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Jessica Hansen)

    Jessica HansenNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 3 out of 5 stars

    All of these contests are run about the…

    All of these contests are run about the same, maybe you should consider making less profit on each one and giving away more prizes…. It’s a win-win for both sides. You still win all the extra money on each vehicle. Just take less profit on each one and give away more vehicles. It’s all about getting paid back for what you’ve purchased give more and receive more.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Laura Greeley)

    Laura GreeleyNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Thank you for the opportunity to be…

    Thank you for the opportunity to be blessed towards this wonderful course. New opportunities and output for research to blindness is true to my heart and I feel like this is a great to get back.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by David Sanders)

    David SandersNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Straightforward information on process…

    Straightforward information on process if winning, timelines for details, etc. Helpful video explaining I.R.S. 1099 and effect of accepting cash option on 1099, and still "additional cash represented" for taxes Clarified travel expense benefit, with limits on local proximity travel. Other fundraiser sites award used vehicles and have lengthy process for inspections, travel etc.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Clifford M.)

    Clifford M.November 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    It was surprisingly simple to donate…

    It was surprisingly simple to donate and participate. You click which amount you want to donate and… done. Then when you want to check your status you just use your email and get a code to login. I also appreciate the free ways to participate through following on your social media accounts while leaving the other tab open. Contests are fun and all but it’s just nice knowing we’re all doing our part to fight something so tragic and it warms my heart seeing organizations like this one reaching out across communities to get people excited and involved in making a change in the world. Thank you for everything!

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Gabriel Robles)

    Gabriel RoblesNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    I especially liked the recent interview…

    I especially liked the recent interview with Federation for the Blind explaining things so well. Those aren't easy conversations to have. (The impact on Luke and their family emotionally ,psychologically and physically) The diagnoses are complex and to get a better understanding of it all ,also to know where Luke stands in his ability to access tx is important to hear.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Marjorie Jones)

    Marjorie JonesNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Help the kids!

    This is such a good charity. To help fund the research and maybe even tech solutions to blindness is very rewarding. And the sweepstakes are a side benefit, but they are very transparent in the offerings and in the presentation of the winners.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Sarah)

    SarahNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    I like the idea of donating to a worthy…

    I like the idea of donating to a worthy cause. Like you said it’s a win, win. I was happy to donate and yet have a chance to get a livable van for my homeless daughter. She is working but I give her rides to and from work and appointments. It was a long shot, but I tried. Thank you for helping people with blindness.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Jeanie Gamboa)

    Jeanie GamboaNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Doing a fundraiser for those in need…

    Doing a fundraiser for those in need while providing a possible dream come true for individuals who participate. Simply marvelous!

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Edward Rodeheaver)

    Edward RodeheaverNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The ease of creating the entries is…

    The ease of creating the entries is seamless. The cause is worthy and the icon you can feel. A great thing you’re doing that has to add many benefits towards your cause. Thank you!!!

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Diane Compton)

    Diane ComptonNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    A worthy charity

    A worthy charity. Well ran organization and they offer some cool stuff. Support a family looking for a cure!

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Gale)

    GaleNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Happy to help a good cause

    Happy to help a good cause. My mother in law was blinded by autoimmune disease. Hope my contribution help research for children

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Melissa Ghaphery)

    Melissa GhapheryNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    This is a Nonprofit that can really…

    This is a Nonprofit that can really help a lot of people, I wish I could give more but I hope there are individuals that have more than others could give a little more.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Eric)

    EricNovember 2026Verified

  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The whole experience with A Race…

    The whole experience with A Race Against Blindness has been all around a wonderful experience. Yes, the prizes are nice. But the fact that it is helping to find a cure for a rare disease makes it so special. I like to see the trials that have been started because of the sweepsteaks. My heart is filled with so much love for Luke because he has the most incredible parents, and also the most incredible community coming together to help this precious him. I will continue to donate until there's a cure. It's also been lots of fun to watch people win. And just see the tears in their eyes. I do believe they know they're blessed. That is beautiful.

    Read on Trustpilot (review by Rae Sanchez)

    Rae SanchezNovember 2026Verified

Reviews come from real donors and supporters who entered a fundraiser or had a direct interaction with our team, each one verified by Trustpilot.

Read all reviews on Trustpilot

Grant funding updates

The impact you made possible

Blindness Education Resources

Are you looking for education or resources for blindness?

As a family-run nonprofit and parents of a child facing blindness, we know how it felt when we got the diagnosis and didn't know where to begin. The resources were limited, and we felt alone. This education hub is here to help change that.

Open the Education Hub

Where would you like to start?

A mother and son in matching caps and RAB shirts smile side by side.

RAB educational series

Learn with Dr. Steve Johnston

Blindness Education Podcasts with Co-Founder Dr. Steve Johnston

Explore the full series on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

For information only. Discuss clinical trial information with your retina specialist.

Meet the Team

We founded the nonprofit when we found out our son has a rare genetic condition and is slowly going blind. But that really only scratches the surface in terms of our motivation. Since learning of Luke's diagnosis, we have become strongly connected to the rare-diseases community. While rare diseases are actually not unusual, with more than 7,000 diseases classified as rare, each one individually often affects only a small number of people. Thus many rare diseases don't receive enough attention and resources to help fund research for adequate treatments or even possible cures.

Stay in the race

New fundraisers, winners, and grant news, about twice a month. Questions? The Help Center is our front door.

Visit the Help Center

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