Non-profit funding sight-saving research for children
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.
You can make an impact on saving childhood eyesight by entering our giveaway fundraisers.
Enter for your chance to win the Ultimate Adventure Package: a 2026 Entegra Esteem XL Super C motorhome + 2026 Polaris trailer + $100,000 cash! Every entry helps support A Race Against Blindness and the search for cures to blindness!
LEARN MOREEnter for your chance to Build Your Own Adventure Van: We already built out the outside of a 170" WB AWD Sprinter, and you get an extra $125,000 custom build budget to use with Rossmönster Vans, plus $50,000 cash! Alternatively, the winner may select a $150,000 cash-only option.
LEARN MOREOne winner will receive up to $150,000 to spend at Right Toyota and $50,000 cash, creating one of our most flexible prize packages ever
VIEW DETAILSHow our fundraisers work
Learn how you can make an impact on sight-saving research and have a chance to win a life-changing prize.
Our impact
$6.1M
granted to sight-saving research as of October 2026, from giveaway fundraisers and direct donations. Every mile below was paid for by entries like yours.
To Axovia Therapeutics, to move a gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa caused by BBS1 toward a clinical trial.
Oct 2024Second Axovia grant: GLP toxicology, manufacturing, and the regulatory work needed before a trial could open.
Dec 2024Third Axovia grant, bringing AXV-101 funding to $4M; the UK trial application was cleared in Q3 2025.
Sep 2025Closed the remaining funding gap; RAB's total funding for AXV-101 reaches $5.1M, from lab to first patient.
Jan 2026With 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 2026Researchers worldwide can now apply for RAB funding through the Grants Portal.
Aug 2026Amounts and dates come from our grant records and update when a new grant is announced. Each grant links to its announcement where available.
About us
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.
No treatment existed for RP caused by BBS1. We decided to fund one.
Our family became the first donor, donating our first prize: the 2023 Adventure Van giveaway fundraiser that started it all.
To Axovia Therapeutics for AXV-101, a gene therapy for RP caused by BBS1.
A total of $5.1M in grant support from RAB made this trial initiation possible.
New $1M grant to gene-agnostic clinical research in partnership with Foundation Fighting Blindness.
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
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.
Great cause, great giveaways, easy app
Read on Trustpilot (review by Jason R)It's a great cause and the process is seamless.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Kristen Smith)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Amazing Cause Making a Difference! A Race Against Blindness is doing something meaningful by helping fund research to fight childhood blindness. I love that this organization is bringing awareness to such an important cause while giving people an opportunity to participate in exciting vehicle and RV giveaways. It's inspiring to see a family turn a difficult personal journey into something that can help other children and families. Every step toward finding treatments and protecting children's eyesight matters. Keep up the amazing work! Wishing your organization continued success, more research breakthroughs, and a brighter future for children and families affected by vision loss. 👏❤️
Read on Trustpilot (review by Michael Morel)your doing it for a good cause thats good 👍
Read on Trustpilot (review by Efrem)Great cause, bringing awareness to blindness.
Read on Trustpilot (review by John Hoovan)It's a great cause and a great chance to win with even a small donation.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Tina a customer)Hello, I am 68 and I have Macular Degeneration. I know whats its like when loosing one's eye sight and there is no cure. So if I can give a little here and there to help these children of our world then of course it fills my soul with happiness. I pray that your son and many thousands of other children get help. I think you're blessing to many and may God bless you! Thank you Karie
Read on Trustpilot (review by Terry and Karie Willman)Plain talk information about your organizations mission, the fundraiser as a means to pursue the goal, and I get to support something I can believe in while hopefully becoming a winner!!😊😛👏
Read on Trustpilot (review by customer)HELPING OUT OTHERS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A VEHICLE.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Donna Doucette)Very informative site on blindness; easy donation transaction.
Read on Trustpilot (review by A Herrera)To me anyone who helps children that is not theres and takes passion in doing so has my vote. We need more people who do this and it's not much but I hope the little bit i donate makes a difference, and if it were my child I would be greatly appreciative for someone to reach out and help. Keep doing what you do and God bless.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Raymond Smith)Im super proud to be a part of something so powerful. You guys do amazing work for the people that need it most. I dont have much money at all but I will continue to support such a great organization weather I win the contest or not. I know my money was well spent in the best way possible. I hope it helps. Much love to you all.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Preston Del Rio)Intended recipients are more than deserving. Tasteful communication, reward vs risk a no-brainer. Good communication on drawing dates and results.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Richard Mulloy)I think making a donation to a very just cause that will help other people is worth every penny. Research is important to find new treatments that may work. Entering a raffle that may give you a chance to win something is a bonus.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Susan Parr)Great charity for children plus you get a chance to win great things.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Savina Cinnamon)Great charity doing good work.
Read on Trustpilot (review by James Fredell)Easy process and a good cause. Hope I got a winning one!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Brad)A great cause brought to people’s attention in a creative way
Read on Trustpilot (review by Jozi)This is always a good experience to be a part of a race against blindness!!
Read on Trustpilot (review by Karen & John)Dealing with Macular Edema as an adult, I can't imagine how it would be for a child to face potential blindness. I hope a cure found quickly. I appreciate your efforts and think this is a great way to earn funds for research. Very clearly explained and compelling offers.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Cynthia)I love the mission of this 501(c)3 program. They have been very open and responsive to any questions.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Julianne Rinard)
The process was very easy and it's for a good cause.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Wanny)Helping children is always great.
Read on Trustpilot (review by Gloria Staib)I haven't been selected yet 😕 😪
Read on Trustpilot (review by Mark Eibel)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 TrustpilotGrant funding updates
Blindness Education Resources
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
RAB educational series
Blindness Education Podcasts with Co-Founder Dr. Steve Johnston
An introduction to the free clinical trial hub for inherited retinal diseases.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
An overview of vision loss treatment topics, including gene therapy and optogenetics.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
A look at how viral vectors deliver missing genes in retinal gene therapy.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)For information only. Discuss clinical trial information with your retina specialist.
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.
New fundraisers, winners, and grant news, about twice a month. Questions? The Help Center is our front door.
Visit the Help Center
