The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
What Is Its Purpose?
Who Does It Serve?

What is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.?
Who is eligible for assistance?
Does the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. provide eye glasses?
Who selects the surgeon and hospital?
Does the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. have any doctors or ophthalmologists?
How can one contact the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.?
Who sponsors the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.?
Where do the funds come from to provide the financial assistance?
How many cases does the Foundation have during a year's time?
How many cases has the Foundation handled since it was formed?
Is the Foundation involved in research?
Who handles the case applications?
How does one find a person called a "Knight Templar?"
In case of emergency can I get help from the Foundation?
Is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. involved as a co-sponsor with any other organization?
Does the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. have a large staff?
Is it necessary to reside in the U.S.A.?
Are contributions to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. tax deductible?

What is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.?
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. is a charitable foundation founded in 1956 to aid those who need help in the preservation of sight.

Who is eligible for assistance?
Assistance is available to anyone in need of surgical treatment without regard to race, color, creed, age, sex, or national origin provided they are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources and provided they are within the financial guidelines of the Foundation.  A letter of denial from a social or government agency is necessary for assistance.

Does the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. provide eye glasses?
Yes, provided the Foundation has approved the surgical financial costs, and the doctor has recommended eyeglasses for the patient, eyeglasses would also be approved by the Foundation.  The Foundation does not provide eyeglasses if no surgery was involved.

Who selects the surgeon and hospital?
The patient  selects the surgeon and hospital.  The Foundation does not make these recommendations.

Does the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. have any doctors or ophthalmologists?
The Foundation does not have doctors or ophthalmologists as employees of the Foundation, but several prominent Doctors, Ophthalmologists, and Researchers serve as Advisors and give of their time, knowledge, and experience without compensation.

How can one contact the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.?
The administrative office of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. is located in Chicago, and the address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address are:

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
5097 North Elston Avenue, Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60630-2460
Phone: (773) 205-3838
Fax: (773) 205-1689
e-mail: ktef@knightstemplar.org

Who sponsors the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.?
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. is sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.  The Knights Templar is a part of the York Rite of Freemasonry.

Where do the funds come from to provide the financial assistance?
The foundation is funded by donations from the members known as Knights Templar who engage in fund raising activities.  Many members as well as non-members leave sizable bequests in their wills because of the high opinion they have of the Foundation.

All contributions are tax-deductible, and if so designated, are applied to the Endowment Fund, from which only earnings may be used to fund current requirements.

How many cases does the Foundation have during a year's time?
The number of cases is approximately 2,000 annually, and the cost per case varies depending on the surgery.

How many cases has the Foundation handled since it was formed?
Since 1956 the Foundation has handled over 59,000 case applications representing over $61 million.

Is the Foundation involved in research?
Yes.  Research grants totaling over $5 million have been made to researchers working in the field of pediatric ophthalmology or development biology.

Who handles the case applications?
A contact is usually made with a Knight Templar in the area where the person in need lives and it is the Knight Templar's responsibility to obtain the application and assist the applicant in its completion.

How does one find a person called a "Knight Templar?"
A Knight Templar is a member of the Masonic Fraternity.  It may be necessary to contact the local Masonic Lodge for the information on who to contact.   If contacting a local member is not convenient, it is suggested that a phone call be made to the Administrative Office of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. at the telephone number shown above.

In case of emergency can I get help from the Foundation?
Help or assistance is available by phone in case of emergency.

Is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. involved as a co-sponsor with any other organization?
Yes.  The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. is a co-sponsor of the National Eye Care Project through an agreement with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.   Persons 65 years of age or over may receive help by calling 1 (800) 222-EYES.   Persons must state that a Knight Templar has referred them to the N.E.C.P.

Does the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. have a large staff?
No.  It is the policy of the Foundation to keep administrative expenses at a minimum in order that financial assistance may be given to as many people as possible.

Is it necessary to reside in the U.S.A.?
An applicant must be a resident of the United States for at least one year.

Are contributions to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. tax deductible?
The Foundation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland in 1956.  It is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and as such, all contributions are tax deductible.

Copies of this information may be obtained from The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. Administrative Offices at the address shown above.

Prepared by the Committee on Public Relations of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.  (4-98)  Charles A. Garnes, Trustee, Chairman.