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Prior to the conference he arranged for a gathering of a small number of workers for the blind at the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind to discuss the subject. This was attended by Mr. Edward M. Van Cleve, Principal of the institute and the host, O. H. Burritt, Edward E. Allen, Charles F. F. Campbell and several other leaders in work for the blind, including the author. After a day's discussion most of the misunderstandings and misgivings regarding the establishment and purpose of such a national agency seemed to have been dissipated.

The convention program aroused much enthusiasm for the project and a committee was appointed with instructions to take the legal steps necessary for organizing what became the American Foundation for the Blind. Practically no money was available for this organization but it started with at least lip-service backing from everybody in work for the blind in the United States who had any influence.

The group naturally turned to Major M. C. Migel, the well-known philanthropist, who had financed the work of the Uniform Type Committee and who, it was believed, would be interested in this undertaking. Major Migel was in Europe at the time of the meeting of the board of trustees of the infant organization. Mr. Olin H. Burritt was elected president to hold office until Major Migel should return to the United States when it was hoped that he would take over the duties of president. To round out the temporary official set-up, Mr. Latimer consented to act as temporary part-time secretary-general pending the employment of a full-time executive.

Major Migel upon his return was unanimously elected president to take office in May 1922. He was very much interested in the project and promptly underwrote its expenses for three years, at the rate of $10,000 a year. What was more important, he undertook also to induce his friends to join with him in meeting the minimum financial needs of the Foundation for a three year period. Upwards of $30,000 a year was so raised.

The Foundation offices were opened in New York, February 1, 1923. The executive organization was completed with the assumption of duty as director-general by Dr. Joseph C. Nate and the appointment of the author as Director of Research and Education and of Charles B. Hayes as Director of Information and Publicity and Editor of the Outlook for the Blind. Under the readjustment in 1929 of the executive management the author was made executive director and Mr. Hayes, retaining the editorship of the Outlook, was made field director. Major Migel served as president until November 30, 1945 when he became Chairman of the Board and William Ziegler, Jr. took over his duties as president.

Work was begun immediately to raise money to carry on services nationwide in scope. This was difficult in the beginning, but gradually friends were found who were willing to contribute small amounts annually, both toward the current operation and toward the building up of an endowment. The board set a goal of an endowment of two million dollars and an annual income for operation purposes of $100,000. At the time money could be invested at around five per cent. Changes in the value of money and the exceptional growth of the Foundation throughout the years have caused a revision of these early plans and estimated figures. The annual budget of the Foundation is now over $1,000,000 and the endowment fund has long since passed the $2,000,000 mark.

Among the enthusiastic supporters of the Foundation from its beginning must be mentioned Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan Macy. Helen Keller in the early years conducted a series of mass meetings across the country to build up what was to be called the Helen Keller Endowment Fund. These meetings made thousands upon thousands of friends for the new organization, friends who have proved faithful supporters of its program throughout the years. Later Miss Keller joined the Foundation's staff and serves as Counselor of National and International Affairs. Her assistance in promoting legislation for the blind through appearances before federal and state legislative bodies has been invaluable, and she has always been ready to serve on projects where her wide influence would secure the success of an undertaking.

The first twelve years of the life of the Foundation was spent in rented quarters. However, as the agency grew and new projects were undertaken the problem of space became more and more acute. Major Migel, as so often before, recognized this emergency and generously donated a new three-story building at 15 West 16th Street to be used as headquarters, possession of which was taken on December 5, 1935. Since that time the need for space has made necessary the construction of another building and the acquisition of more space adjacent to the central building.

The American Foundation for the Blind was established by action of agencies for the blind and friends of the blind to fill the need for a national organization to serve the interests of the blind and to coordinate the work done by local agencies throughout the country. It works in close cooperation with all governmental agencies, both federal and state. In its discharge of duties it scrupulously makes referrals to state agencies and local voluntary agencies for those services that logically fall within the scope of such agencies.