The mission and purpose of the Foundation has come from Ray Charles himself. Although Mr. Charles was blind since the age of seven, he had always maintained that blindness was not a handicap, but rather believed that the inability to hear was a handicap. Because of this philosophy, Ray Charles began to make contributions to the field of ‘hearing impairment’, funding cochlear implants for those who could not afford them.

In addition, Ray Charles also expressed concern about the youth and the tremendous need for education. In 1995, just a few short years after the Foundation came into existence, under the direction and guidance of Ray Charles the “Foundation” embarked on a pattern of generous contributions and donations to various educational facilities across the United States.

The specific purpose of the Foundation has been to administer funds for scientific, educational and charitable purposes; to encourage, promote and educate, through grants to institutions and organizations, as to the causes and cures for diseases and disabilities of the hearing impaired and to assist organizations and institutions in their social educational and academic advancement of programs for the youth, and carry on other charitable and educational activities associated with these goals as allowed by law. The Foundation has provided financial donations to various institutions involved with areas of hearing diseases and cures, as well as other educational resources for the needy.