Endowment / Foundation

Updated:

Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins School for the Blind was established in 1829 in Watertown, Massachusetts. David Barth leads as President and CEO. The school provides education...

Perkins School for the Blind logo

Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins School for the Blind was established in 1829 in Watertown, Massachusetts. David Barth leads as President and CEO. The school provides education services for children and young adults who are blind and visually impaired with multiple disabilities. Perkins focuses on EdTech, Digital Health, Healthcare Services, Mobility & Transportation, and Robotics & Automation. It pursues philanthropic and mission-related investing alongside startup commitments. Geographic reach covers North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South America. Technology priorities include AI/ML and Robotics & Automation. The school maintains an endowment in Watertown. It operates Perkins International and holds specialized collections including the Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Collection. Board and committee members hold affiliations with CFA Society Boston. David Barth's appointment as President and CEO takes effect in 2026. Governance centers on a board chaired by Corinne Basler with separate finance and investment committees. The structure separates operating programs from endowment management through named trustees and external advisors.

General information

Firm type

Endowment / Foundation

Year founded

1829

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Watertown

Corporate office

Watertown, Massachusetts, United States

Principals

Corinne Basler

Chair of the Board

Jennifer DeSisto

Trustee and Investment Committee member

Vaithehi Muttulingam

Finance Committee Chair

Sean Belka

Innovation Advisory Board member

David Barth

President and CEO

Sector focus

EdTechDigital HealthHealthcare ServicesMobility & TransportationRobotics & Automation

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at Perkins School for the Blind?

Jennifer DeSisto serves on the Investment Committee. Vaithehi Muttulingam chairs the Finance Committee.

What investment stages does Perkins School for the Blind typically target?

The school commits to startups through philanthropic and mission-related channels.

Which sectors does Perkins School for the Blind focus on?

Confirmed focuses include EdTech, Digital Health, Healthcare Services, Mobility & Transportation, and Robotics & Automation.

Where does Perkins School for the Blind operate geographically?

Programs and partnerships span North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South America.

How is Perkins School for the Blind structured relative to its endowment?

The endowment sits in Watertown alongside the main campus. Separate committees handle finance and investments.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

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