Navigating the costs of education, specialized equipment, or starting a business can feel like a massive hurdle. That is exactly why the Lori Sheppard Memorial Fund was created by her friends, family and community members. The fund is designed to provide support to individuals who possess great passion yet face significant barriers.
Lori was an impassioned advocate who became totally blind at the age of twenty-seven. She worked tirelessly for others, including founding the charity PAWS International, before she passed away in 2005. Her capacity to bring the community together to assist other persons and organizations in need was her hallmark.
Today, the fund continues her legacy. The funds may be utilized for payment of tuition fees, professional fees, purchase of adaptive equipment, or to support costs linked with the creation of a home business.
Eligibility Requirements:
Must be a BC resident.
Must meet criteria for legal blindness or have a medical condition that could result in progressive vision loss such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc..
Must be 16 years of age or older.
If you meet these criteria, we highly encourage you to apply. You will need to submit a completed application form, a short personal statement outlining your goals, a brief explanation of how you plan to use the grant, and a letter of reference.
The deadline to submit your application is April 10th, 2026 and the form can be found online here: