Minnesota State Academy for the Blind Foundation

Empowering students 

         …............… to achieve their full potential.

Nurturing students' curiosity while paving the way to independence

Supporters of the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind Foundation (MSABF) enable us to fund programs that give MSAB students from across Minnesota who are visually impaired the best opportunity to become confident and productive citizens.

MSABF grants have provided the Academy with a full breadth of enhancements to the education process, ranging from independent living and the arts to assistive technology, athletics and recreation.

Education through the arts  

Art programs and residencies funded by MSABF expose students to a variety of creative expressions involving theater, dance, sound technology, music and tactile arts.  Recent grants have included drum and guitar purchases and residencies, theater field trips, a sound studio, digital piano upgrades and more.

Independent living skills  

A core part of programming at MSAB is teaching independent living skills.  The Family and Consumer Science Room is used to instruct students in cleaning, cooking and household chores.  The foundation is augmenting state funding to create a newly designed, well-equipped space that will serve students for years to come.  Our Foundation also  recently provided funding for a raised bed garden built at the school.

Assistive technology

MSAB students have challenges that range from low vision to multiple disabilities.  Our Foundation has provided funding for a wide array of technology to assist in learning, including Optrons, Intended Touch Platforms and software, iPads and Braille Edge 40s.

Athletics and  recreation   

Over the years, MSABF has funded equipment and facilities that focus on the physical fitness of the Academy's students.  Grants have supported such projects as the Mark Sathe Bike Path, adaptive bikes, a climbing wall, multi-sensory playground, obstacle course and underwater speakers for the swimming pool.  These projects are key to developing physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills that are important in building self-awareness, self-esteem and confidence in students who are visually and/or multiply challenges.

Through our ongoing partnership, MSAB and the MSAB Foundation are dedicated to bringing opportunity and bright tomorrows to these special and very deserving students. Your support can help make this a reality. 

Thank you! 

The MSAB Foundation Board of Directors