What Is the American Action Fund?

Many of you may have known us for years as the American Brotherhood for the Blind. The American Brotherhood for the Blind was established in 1919 by a member of the Theosophical Society to give help to the blind. The new organization took its name from the Society's belief in the universal brotherhood of all mankind, and since 1919 the organization has held fast to its belief in the brotherhood of all—that is, that its services are to be provided to all without regard to race, sex, creed, or national origin. Although the American Brotherhood's basic beliefs have not changed in the seventy plus years since 1919, The American language has. Today, the word “Brotherhood” has come to have in some people's minds insensitive and sexist overtones of exclusion—the very opposite of the founder's original intent of universal service to all, which he wished to convey by choosing the name American Brotherhood for the Blind.

The Board of Directors of the American Brotherhood for the Blind decided during 1990 to initiate action to restore the original descriptive connotation of the organization's name by adopting the name, “American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults” as its federally registered operating name, or trademark, while still retaining the trademark of American Brotherhood for the Blind. The process is under way of associating the services of the American Brotherhood for the Blind with its modernized operating name, American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults—a name which reflects the language and cultural notions of the times in which we live while at the same time preserving the traditional service values envisioned by the organization's founders more than seventy years ago.

All of the board members of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults are blind and receive no financial compensation for their services. The members of the Board have succeeded in a variety of occupations and activities and have learned to deal with blindness and its inconveniences.

You may view our Annual Report or you may obtain our IRS 990 report at www.guidestar.org. Guidestar requires users to sign-up for a free log-in; once you are registered, please search for us using American Brotherhood for the Blind.

About Us
Many of you may have known us for years as the American Brotherhood for the Blind. The American Brotherhood for the Blind was established in 1919 by a member of the Theosophical Society to give help to the blind. The new organization took its name from the Society's belief in the universal brotherhood of all mankind, and since 1919 the organization has held fast to its belief in the brotherhood of all—that is, that its services are to be provided to all without regard to race, sex, creed, or national origin. Although the American Brotherhood's basic beliefs have not changed in the seventy plus years since 1919, The American language has. Today, the word “Brotherhood” has come to have in some people's minds insensitive and sexist overtones of exclusion—the very opposite of the founder's original intent of universal service to all, which he wished to convey by choosing the name American Brotherhood for the Blind. The Board of Directors of the American Brotherhood for the Blind decided during 1990 to initiate action to restore the original descriptive connotation of the organization's name by adopting the name, “American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults” as its federally registered operating name, or trademark, while still retaining the trademark of American Brotherhood for the Blind. The process is under way of associating the services of the American Brotherhood for the Blind with its modernized operating name, American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults—a name which reflects the language and cultural notions of the times in which we live while at the same time preserving the traditional service values envisioned by the organization's founders more than seventy years ago. All of the board members of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults are blind and receive no financial compensation for their services. The members of the Board have succeeded in a variety of occupations and activities and have learned to deal with blindness and its inconveniences. You may view our Annual Report or you may obtain our IRS 990 report at www.guidestar.org. Guidestar requires users to sign-up for a free log-in; once you are registered, please search for us using American Brotherhood for the Blind.

About Us