Audio Journal Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Audio Journal, Incorporated's mission in Central Massachusetts is to connect individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have an inability to access printed material, to their communities through broadcasting of local news, information and entertainment with exclusive programs and content.
- Income
- $379,014
- Spending
- $385,138
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 31.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 43%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 85
- Highest pay
- $89,287, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 31.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $263,071 spent. Audio Journal's mission in Central Massachusetts is to connect individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have an inability to access printed material, to their communities through broadcasting of local news, information and entertainment, with exclusive programs and content. Audio Journal's primary program is radio reading for the blind. Over 85 volunteers read over 60 local newspapers, as well as magazines, books, grocery and retail fliers, health information and more to ensure our listeners know what is happening closest to their own homes. Reaching over 6,000 listeners in Central Massachusetts, 24/7 broadcasts may be heard on the Audio Journal website, (WWW.AUDIOJOURNAL.ORG), Audio Journal Mobile App. with I phone, I pad and Android, podcasting through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, etc. smart speaker (Amazon Echo and Google Home), phone, local cable access TV and a special receiver tuned to Audio Journal's frequency. Almost all programs are available as on-demand podcasts from the website and Audio Journal App. All services are provided at no cost to the listeners. The Executive Director or a volunteer deliver and setup Amazon smart speakers (Echos) or radio receivers in individuals' homes. In addition to reading newspapers, we have specialty programming: Speaking Volumes is a radio book group highlighted in the February 2019 issue of Oprah's O MAGAZINE. Listeners may call in and participate in the discussion and sometimes the authors join the discussion. Another Point of View considers a current topic from both sides of the political aisle.Talking Topics and Beautiful Minds are interview shows introducing our listeners to interesting local individuals talking about what they do in the community. A Common Voice shares articles about living in the community with your disability.Radio Active Theater broadcasts family-friendly plays from old time radio and film.Our purpose includes offering entertainment and intellectual stimulation for our listeners, many of whom were avid readers. Also, listeners who are socially isolated feel more connected to people and events.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Audio Journal broadcasts include public service announcements specific to our visually and print disabled listeners. Information about COVID-19 symptoms; how to stay safe and move about while wearing a mask; vaccine FAQ's; how to get a homebound vaccine; support available from the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) scheduling vaccines and getting transportation to vaccine appointments; vaccination boosters; and accessible voting.The board of directors:Updated the bylaws in January of 2021.Developed a conflict of interest policy and disclosure form reviewed and signed by all board members.Developed a financial policy and an operating account policy.Other policies and an employee handbook were completed and approved by the Board of Directors in December, 2021.The volunteer board of directors developed an official content policy for all broadcast programs and added it to the official volunteer handbook. Audio Journal works closely with the other five radio reading services in Massachusetts. As a group we are known as the Massachusetts Audio Information Network (MAIN). We also closely work with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB).Audio Journal is a member of the International Association of Audio Information Service (IAAIS).
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.