1. Knights TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION, Inc.
“A Masonic Charity”
“That Others May See”

2. through research, education, and supporting access to care
Mission Statement
To improve vision
through research, education,
and supporting access to care

3. Walter Allen DeLamater
Our Legacy Begins
Walter Allen DeLamater
Most Eminent Grand Master 1958
First President & Founder of
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Walter was a veteran of WWI rising in rank from Private to Major General. He was highly decorated for distinguished service.
In 1941, he was stricken and paralyzed for a period of two months with a clot on the brain. Doctors did not expect him to live. While being prepared for an operation, heavenly bodies (angels) admonished him that if he lived he must do something to heal the blind, as Jesus had done on Earth.
He was fully healed and believed that it was for some divine purpose.

4. Vision Becomes Reality
Introduced and debated at the 1955 Grand Encampment Triennial.
100% charitable project
Initially provided funds for hundreds
Guided by a Medical Advisory Council
Earliest goal was to correct strabismus or “crossed eyes”
in children
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation was introduced and debated at the 1955 Grand Encampment Triennium, and it was decided that the Order of Templary offered a great medium to endeavor to do God’s Will.
All of the teachings and vows that we have taken in Templary demand that we do some charitable work. The Knights Templar Eye Foundation proved to be just what we were looking for and needed and gave us a 100% charitable project, on a national basis.
Sir Knight DeLamater’s dream soon became a reality. It provided funds for hundreds, then thousands, to see or improve their eyesight.
From the very beginning, a Medical Advisory Council consisting
of able and dedicated ophthalmologists from all over the country guided the Foundation.

5. Eye Foundation Early Success
These pictures show the before and after of some of the first patients treated through the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.
As you can see from the pictures, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation proved to be successful from the very beginning.
Eye Foundation Early Success

6. Where We Are Today Current Mission Statement:
Original Mission Statement:
To provide assistance to those who face loss of sight due to the need for 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 to provide funds for research in curing diseases of the eye.
Current Mission Statement:
To improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.
The original mission of the Foundation was “to provide assistance to those who face loss of sight due to the need for 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 to provide funds for research in curing diseases of the eye”.
On December 31, 2010, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation shifted the Foundation’s focus and adopted a new mission statement “to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.”
The Foundation now only participates in direct patient care through the Seniors Eye Care Program in partnership with EyeCare America and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. With this change, the Foundation is benefitting untold millions in generations to come through grants that support research and education. Our research dollars have helped develop new, non-surgical treatments for strabismus (crossed eyes) and ophthalmologists have told us that there are fewer and fewer surgeries for strabismus.

7. Fulfilling The Mission
Annually invites eligible investigators to submit applications
Supports the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO) Eyecare America and the ONE® Network programs.
Over $148 million has been expended since its incorporation
Over $24 million in grants have been awarded
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation provides grants to eligible investigators to conduct ophthalmology research.
We also co-sponsor the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO) Eyecare America program and the (One®) Network program (Ophthalmology News Education).
Since the Knights Templar Eye Foundation’s incorporation in 1956 over $148 million has been expended on research, education, and patient care and over $24 million in grants have been awarded to researchers working in the fields of ophthalmology and ophthalmologic genetics.

8. Pediatric Ophthalmology Grants
Career-Starter Research Grants
Competitive Renewal Grants
Training Mentors For Developing Countries Fellowship
Travel Grants
A list of those receiving career-starter research grants, competitive renewal grants, and institutions receiving
grants is located on our website
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is committed to support research that can help launch the careers of clinical or basic researchers focused on the prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants, children, and adults.
Proposals for support of basic research on eye and visual system development also are welcome.
At the annual meeting held every March, officers and trustees of the Foundation come together with 10 doctors specializing in pediatric ophthalmology from many leading hospitals and research institutions throughout the country to review the applications and recommend which applications based on the merits of the proposal should be funded with a grant.
The following grants are available.
Career-starter research grants – up to $65k/grant and applicants must be at the beginning of their careers and must have received a M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent
Competitive renewal grants – up to $65k/grant and are to extend the original grant project for one additional year if the data warrants.
Training mentors for developing countries fellowship - Annual stipend of $60k. The scientific advisory committee has identified a significant need for well-trained pediatric ophthalmology faculty in developing countries. Recipients agree to return to their native countries to practice pediatric ophthalmology for a minimum of five years and, to the extent possible, train residents in that country.
Travel Grants – Travel Grants are awarded through The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) to help student/trainee members attend the Annual Meeting. The funds received from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation helped ARVO and the ARVO Foundation increase the grant program by nearly 25%, in 2015 and Because of the success of this program for ARVO we have now extended it for the International Society for Eye Research (ISER)
As the Knights Templar Eye Foundation has grown, we have expanded the number and size of our grants, and we have commenced new initiatives in ophthalmology research and education. Our research grants are targeted to new research by those in the early stages of their careers.

9. Recipients Anthony B. Daniels, M.D. Janet L. Alexander, M.D.
Janet L. Alexander, M.D., received a grant to conduct research on two diseases, Pediatric Glaucoma and Pediatric Cataracts. You are probably familiar with glaucoma and cataracts however glaucoma and cataracts can affect people of all ages and carries a much greater risk of permanent blindness for children. Dr. Alexander is using a non-invasive ultrasound to measure the front part of the eye. These measurements will be compared to identify specific structures that are responsible for the disease and responses to treatment. This information will also be used to predict which patients will be able to successfully overcome glaucoma and avoid complications. Of the approximately 11,000 babies born each day in the United States, only one will have glaucoma and about five will have cataracts. Dr. Alexander’s hope is to prevent these children from permanent blindness.
Anthony B. Daniels, M.D., received a grant to conduct research on retinoblastoma, which is the most common eye cancer in children. This often causes babies to lose vision in one or more eyes and often requires the eyes to be removed. Dr. Daniels will research treatment with intravenous chemotherapy either by threading a thin catheter tube into the blood vessel that supplies the eye or by injecting chemotherapy directly into the eye. This will allow more advanced tumors to be cured and avoid the side effects of intravenous chemotherapy.
Additional information about those receiving career-starter research grants, competitive renewal grants, and institutions receiving grants is located on our website
Janet L. Alexander, M.D.

10. 2016-2017 Grants & Fellowships Grants – 30 awarded totaling $1,864,019
Career Starter Grants – 20 awarded totaling $1,222,982
Competitive Renewal Grants – 10 awarded totaling $641,037
Training Mentors For Developing Countries – None awarded
Travel Grants To ARVO (The Association For Research In Vision And Ophthalmology) & ISER (International Society for Eye Research awarded totaling $120,600
This shows the total number and dollar amounts of the grants that were given in Each year we receive far more applications than can be approved and funded.

11. Total 2015 - 2016 Research And Education Expenditures
Grants – Research $1,791,196
Grants – Travel (ARVO) $60,600
Fellowships $0
One Network $200,000
Seniors Eyecare Program $250,000
Total $2,301,796
This is a recap of LAST years grants, fellowships and program expenditures. This information is presented to give you an idea of all of the good that is being done through your donations.

12. Seniors Eye Care Program
EyeCare America provides no cost eye care to those who qualify.
One-in-three Americans has some form of vision impairing eye disease by age 65, and nearly 3,000,000 people of all ages have glaucoma.
Through its Online Referral Center, the Seniors EyeCare Program offers two types of services, based on qualifications.
Service I
Service II
EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, with additional support provided by Alcon.
The two types of services offered are:
► SERVICE I is for US citizens or legal residents, who are 65 years or older and have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years. They cannot belong to an HMO or have eye care through the veterans’ administration.
These patients may be eligible to receive a comprehensive, medical eye exam and up to one year of care at no out-of-pocket cost for any disease diagnosed during the initial exam. Volunteer ophthalmologists waive co-payments and unmet deductibles, and accept Medicare and/or other insurance reimbursement as payment in full; patients without insurance receive this care at no charge.
► SERVICE II is for US Citizens or legal residents with increased risk for glaucoma (determined by age, race, and family history) and who have not had an eye exam in 12 months or more.
These patients may be eligible to receive a free glaucoma eye exam if they are uninsured. Those who are eligible and insured will be billed for the exam and are responsible for any co-payments.

13. Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
The purpose of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center is to ensure a strong educational foundation for Ophthalmologists.
Childhood blindness is one of the top causes of vision loss world wide.
By supporting the Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center within the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s ONE Network, we have a real opportunity to make a difference and improve the outcomes in eye care for children worldwide.
The purpose of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center is to ensure a strong educational foundation for current and future generations of ophthalmologists, and by doing so, eliminate a lack of ophthalmic education as a contributor to global blindness.
The Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center will speed the adoption of new knowledge, technology and treatments. No such resource currently exists, even though the pace of innovation is increasing, and there is a real and growing need for the Education Center among pediatric ophthalmologists.
An estimated 500,000 children become blind annually, and up to 60% of these children in developing countries are thought to die within one year. Nearly half of all blindness in children is due to avoidable causes that could be prevented with interventions using existing knowledge.
This Online library has around 15,000 pages of content, including 1,700 videos and 3,500 downloadable images.
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation contributed $1,000,000 paid out over 5 year to form “The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center Endowment Fund” to support the ONE Network.
ONE stands for Ophthalmic News and Education.

14. Apl.de.ap Foundation International
Vision To prepare marginalized, creative, and gifted students as global professionals in arts and technology.
The Campaign for Filipino Children is the health initiative of the Apl.de.ap Foundation International, which was established by Apl.de.ap, a founding member of the group Black Eyed Peas (Birth name Allan Pineda).
Apl.de.ap himself suffers from an eye ailment and is considered legally blind. The Campaign for Filipino Children represents an emotional journey home for Apl, as it fulfills a promise he made to one day return to the Philippines and address the issue of childhood blindness as his way of giving back to those who were in the same situation as he was as a child.
The Campaign’s approach is to train the medical community in the Philippines to adequately diagnose retinopathy of prematurity (commonly referred to as ROP), an affliction among preterm infants that can cause lifelong blindness if not addressed within 48 hours of diagnosis. In a country with a very high birth rate, the issue can be alarming.
Mission To equip Filipino youth with the knowledge and skills to improve their lives.

15. Presentation of the first ophthalmology retcam
Apl.de.ap Foundation International
October 20, 2015
Presentation of the first ophthalmology retcam to
Southern Philippines
Medical Center
Davao City, Philippines
These are pictures that were taken on October 20, 2015, where the first ophthalmology retcam was presented to the Southern Philippines Medical Center, in Davao City, Philippines, which the Knights Templar Eye Foundation help fund with a grant. Pictures shows 35 Sir Knights from Davao Commandery.
Pictures from
Tuesday, October 20, 2015

16. Travel Grants ARVO 2015 2015 Travel Grants
As the KTEF has grown since its 1956 inception, we have expanded the number and size of our grants, and we have commenced new initiatives in ophthalmology research and education by offering travel grants to help student/trainee members attend their annual meeting.
For some ARVO members, travel grants make all the difference in whether they can attend.
The Foundation was able to offer travel grants to 59 members that otherwise could not attend which increased the total travel grant grogram for them by nearly 25% for a total of nearly 300 grants in 2015.

17. Travel Grants ARVO 2016 2016 Travel Grants
For the second year we were excited to continue the funding of travel grants for ARVO and award 58 travel grants and again increased their program by nearly 25% for a total of 300 total grants which they awarded this year.

18. Endowed Professorship Program
$2,000,000 committed, and matched dollar for dollar, to establish the first Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc., Professor of Ophthalmology research at the Mayo Clinic.
The first Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc.,
Professor of Ophthalmology Research
recipient was Michael C. Brodsky, M.D.
The original mission of the Foundation was “to provide assistance to those who face loss of sight due to the need for 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 to provide funds for research in curing diseases of the eye”.
Following the decision of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation's Board of Trustees to cease direct patient care, the Board revised its mission statement to better reflect the Foundation's emphasis on eye disease research and education. The revised mission of the Foundation is "to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.“
In 2011, the Board explored the feasibility and desirability of establishing an endowed professorship at a leading research university or teaching hospital focusing on ophthalmic education. Preliminary groundwork proved positive and in 2012 the President formed a committee of the Board to further explore this idea.
Advantages to the Foundation of endowing a professorship program are that it would provide a perpetual benefit to the Foundation from a one-time investment, promote visibility of the Foundation, and it would create a new partnership legacy for the Foundation.
Guidelines for the selection of an institution to partner with to establish an endowed professorship included the reputation of the institution; seniority of the identified faculty member; and whether the institution would guarantee that the endowment would be permanently on-going, used exclusively for research, and include on-going recognition of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation partnership.
Based on these factors, in August 2013 the committee recommended and the Board subsequently approved committing $2 million, matched dollar for dollar, to establish the first endowed Professorship Program and awarded it to Michael C. Brodsky, M.D.
Dr. Brodsky is also a professor of neurology and a professor of ophthalmology.

19. Endowed Professorship Program
$2,000,000 committed, and matched dollar for dollar, to establish the second Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc., Professor of Ophthalmology research at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University.
The second Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc.,
Professor of Ophthalmology Research
recipient was Thomas McCarthy Bosley, M.D.
The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, founded in 1925, is an internationally-renowned eye institution that specializes in the diagnosis and management of complex medical and surgical eye disease; and serves as a preeminent provider of routine eye care and refractive, optical, cosmetic, and eye trauma services for the Mid-Atlantic region. Wilmer is also recognized as a national leader in research and in the training of medical students, residents, fellows, and ophthalmic technicians. As the largest department of ophthalmology in the United States, the Wilmer Eye Institute has earned recognition for bringing together ophthalmologists and optometrists consistently regarded as being among the finest in the field.
Based on these factors, in October 2015 the committee recommended and the Board subsequently approved committing $2 million, matched dollar for dollar, to establish the second endowed Professorship Program and awarded it to Thomas McCarthy Bosley, M.D.
Dr. Bosley is a Professor of Ophthalmology. He is interested in all aspects of Neuro-ophthalmology and has been particularly involved in genetic abnormalities affecting human vision and ocular motility.

20. 2016 – 2017 Budget
Grants – Research $1,625,000 Grants – Travel (ARVO & ISER) $ 120,600 Fellowships $ 0 Endowed Professorship Program $ 0 One Network $ 200,000 Seniors Eyecare Program $ 250,000 Total $2,195,600
This is the approved budget. You will notice we have not budgeted for Fellowships or Endowed Professorship Program this year.

21. Recognition Programs Life Sponsor Associate Patron Patron
The Grand Master’s Club
The Grand Commander’s Club
Memorials
Honorariums
Wills & Bequests / Trusts – Planned Giving
Life Sponsor – Available to Sir Knights - $ Associate Patron – Available to any person or organization - $50.00
Patron – Available to any person or organization - $100.00
Donations received must indicate that a sponsorship is being requested.
*Payments for Life Sponsor, Patron, and/or Associate Patron will exempt your Grand Commandery from further assessment to the
Knights Templar Foundation, Inc.
The Grand Master’s Club - $1, enrolls you as a concerned individual in the humanitarian work of the Foundation. The Grand Master’s Club is available to all individuals, whether Templars or others, but not to organizations. Your membership in the Grand Master’s Club entitles you to a lapel pin and an engraved wall plaque.
The Grand Commander’s Club – You can enroll in the Grand Commander’s Club by sending in your first installment of $ or more. At the time of your enrollment, you will receive a lapel pin and wallet card (signifying your membership). In addition, members of the Grand Commander’s Club pledge to make annual contributions of $ or more for nine more years until a total of $1, is reached. Once contributions total $1,000.00, the individual is enrolled in the Grand Master’s Club.
*The Grand Master’s Club and Grand Commander’s Club are available to all individual Templars or others, but not to
organizations. As of 2/1/2015 once 25 Grand Master’s Clubs are reached, a Sword of Merit will be awarded.
Memorials – These donations are of any amount in memory of a deceased person.
Honorariums – These donations are given in honor of a living person in recognition of service, or friendship.
Wills & Bequests – Anyone who believes in the service provided by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. may leave a bequest to the Foundation in their will.

22. Recognition Programs Sight Crusader The Permanent Donor Fund
The Grand Master’s Sword of Merit
The Golden Chalice
Sight Crusader - Anyone who designates the KTEF in their will and provides suitable notification to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. will be listed in the Gold Book and designated a Sight Crusader.
The Permanent Donor Fund – This unique fund gives perpetual recognition to any person or organization that becomes a recipient of the Golden Chalice or Sword of Merit. Recognition is given by presentation of the Golden Chalice or Sword of Merit and the name and amount contributed appear in the Annual Report on a continuing basis. Additional donations by the individual or organization in the amount of $1,000 or more will be acknowledged in future annual reports. The donor may be an organization, foundation, corporation, or individual.
The Grand Master’s Sword of Merit – This coveted award is given in recognition of a single donation of $25,000 or more. The donation may be applied to the Permanent Donor Fund. As of 2/2015 once 25 Grand Master’s Clubs are reached a Sword of Merit will be awarded.
The Golden Chalice – The Chalice is awarded in recognition of a single donation of $10,000 or more. The donation may be applied to the Permanent Donor Fund.

23. to Voluntary Campaigns Fund Raising Can be Fun
Ideas to increase campaign donations.
First Method (The Easy Way)
Second Method (Special Approach)
Third Method (Efforts of many)
Additional Fund Raising Methods
An Idea For 100% Participation
The Voluntary Campaign is important to supplement the income so that sufficient funds are available to provide the assistance as stated in the Mission Statement.
There are numerous ways to raise funds for the Annual Voluntary Campaign of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. You can be creative, put on your thinking cap and ask other Sir Knights to get involved. One project may raise enough to reach the Goals set for the Campaign or more.
First Method – We will call this the Easy Way. Even though it may seem painful to some Sir Knights, an out of pocket or check donation from ALL SIR KNIGHTS requires the least effort. It does require a charitable attitude which we have all committed ourselves to in the Order of the Temple. The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY SIR KNIGHT. This method is almost painless. “Your attitude will determine your altitude.”
Second Method – We will call this the Special Approach. Donations from outside our membership may be accomplished with a tactful approach. These sources are businesses, fraternal organizations, foundations, and generous individuals.
Third Method – We will call this the efforts of many. Projects require special effort, dedication, and enthusiasm of many Sir Knights who enjoy fund raising and believe in the purpose. Fun and Fellowship are part of working on projects. Give it a try.
Additional Fund Raising Methods include things like dinners before conclaves, public dinner/dance/entertainment, a “Big Band” dance, hoagie sale, flea market, auction, jewelry sale, fish fry, spaghetti dinner, candy sale, pancake/sausage breakfast, shirt sale, baseball cap sale, fruit sale or many other creative ideas. Your imagination will provide many ways and methods to provide funds so “That Others May See”.
An idea for 100% participation is to pass a collection plate at your Christmas Observance as you would at any other religious service. By doing this, every Commandery in the Grand Encampment will have participated in the Voluntary Campaign before the end of December.
Please explain this to the members and try it. You will be surprised at the success.

24. For More Information
Robert W Bigley Office Administrator/Assistant Secretary Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc Long Prairie Road, Suite 5 Flower Mound, TX Phone: Fax: Website:
There are pamphlets with more information available today and should you have any questions after you leave here today, please feel free to contact the Knights Templar Eye Foundation office.

25. Our Future
Together, we will make our mark in the eye community by preventing blindness in future generations through research and education God is THE giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17)
Together, we will make our mark in the eye community by preventing blindness in future generations through research and education
In the past we could help one person one time but in the future we will help generations to come through research and education
God is THE giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17)
As His image-bearers we are called to copy His giving, to be mini-pictures of His infinitely large heart.
The larger our hearts (and the wider our hands), the larger the picture we paint of God’s character.