If you found us by Googling “is a race against blindness legit”, you’re not alone.
One of the biggest things that makes people pause (totally fairly) is this:
“Why do you run so many fundraisers… and why does each one feel like its own ‘event’?”
Here’s the simple, honest answer:
Each fundraiser is its own legally compliant promotion — not one ongoing “contest”
A Race Against Blindness is a nonprofit, but the moment we run a fundraiser that includes a prize, there are important compliance requirements. That means every fundraiser must stand alone, with its own:
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start and end dates
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entry methods (including free mail-in entry)
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eligibility terms
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winner selection timeline
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prize details and odds language
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official rules specific to that fundraiser
In other words: entries don’t roll over, and one fundraiser doesn’t “feed” the next behind the scenes. They’re separate on purpose.
This is one of the reasons people searching “is a race against blindness legit” often feel better once they realize our fundraisers are structured like this intentionally — because the structure is part of doing it correctly.
Why can’t we use one set of rules for everything?
Because prizes, timelines, partners, and logistics change.
One fundraiser might be an adventure vehicle. Another might be an experience prize. Another might be a cash alternative or a different partner sponsor. Each change affects how the fundraiser must be described and governed.
So instead of trying to force everything under one umbrella (which would create confusion and risk), we keep it clear:
One fundraiser = one set of rules = one clear timeline.
“But why are there multiple fundraisers running at once?”
Two reasons:
1) Families can choose what resonates with them
Not everyone wants the same prize. Some people love an overland build. Some prefer travel. Some want a simple donation entry. Offering multiple options lets supporters engage in a way that feels fun and personal — without pressure.
2) Our mission is urgent
For many inherited retinal diseases (including BBS-related retinitis pigmentosa), vision loss is progressive. That means time matters. We’re trying to fund work now, not “eventually.”
Running multiple fundraisers helps keep momentum going so research doesn’t stall.
How the timeline typically works
Even though each fundraiser has its own rules, the flow usually looks like this:
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Fundraiser runs until its posted close date
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Entry window closes (including any allowed mail-in deadlines listed in the rules)
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Winner is selected by an independent third-party administrator
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Winner is contacted and announced shortly afterward
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We post winners publicly so anyone can verify outcomes and see real people receiving real prizes
(If you want to browse past winners, we keep a winners page on our site:
https://araceagainstblindness.org/pages/past-winners)
Why this should increase trust (not reduce it)
If your concern is, “is a race against blindness legit?”, this part matters:
A scam thrives on vagueness.
A legitimate organization builds structure.
Clear rules and clear timelines are how we protect:
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participants
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the integrity of winner selection
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the fairness of entry methods
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and the mission itself
The bottom line
We run separate fundraisers with separate rules because that’s the most transparent and compliant way to do it.
If you ever have a question about a specific fundraiser, the best place to start is that fundraiser’s page (where details + the official rules are posted), and you can always reach out to our team for clarification.
And if you’re still wondering “is a race against blindness legit”, we truly welcome that question — we’d rather you ask than feel unsure.
Still have questions?
This article is part of our ongoing series answering one of the most common questions we see online:
“Is A Race Against Blindness legit?”
Each article explores a different aspect of our organization — from transparency and compliance to community experiences and independent verification.
👉 Read the full series here:
Trust, Transparency, and Our Mission: Is A Race Against Blindness Legit?
