Heed Foundation
The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation (heed.org) is an active nonprofit established in 1945 that awards merit fellowships for postgraduate ophthalmology training. The site includes current news (2025–2026), an applicant portal, board information, and contact details listing a San Francisco office and an AAO-associated email.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small organizations or training programs focused on postgraduate ophthalmology education or closely related humanitarian/education projects, typically operating in or serving Washington state and able to fit within modest fellowship-style grants.
Good Fit
- • Programs that provide postgraduate ophthalmology fellowships or clinical training.
- • Project budgets that match small grants (~$5K–$10K) or fellowship awards.
- • Demonstrable connection to the ophthalmology field or the American Academy of Ophthalmology network.
- • A Washington-state presence or clear service to WA communities (observed grant geography).
- • Willingness to engage with an online applicant portal and follow specific selection procedures.
Geography
Observed grants in the available years were concentrated in a single state (Washington); the latest year’s two grants were both Seattle-based, indicating a narrow in-state footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows only two distinct recipients and the three-year record documents a very small set of recurring grantees, so the observed recipient pool is limited.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of new recipient entry is limited but present (one new grantee in 2024) and a public application portal and instructions exist; however the fund signals that awards are limited to preselected applicants, so entry appears possible but selective.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
