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Central Association for the Blind Inc

EIN 15-0543587 · Utica, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ASSIST PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES AND OFFERING INTEGRATED COMPETITIVE JOBS THROUGHOUT ALL LEVELS OF THE ASSOCIATION INCLUDING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CONTACT CENTER, SOCIAL WORKER, ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR, MAINTENANCE AND SERVING ON THE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

Income
$28.2 million
Spending
$19.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
65.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 80%
Employees
361
Volunteers
63
Highest pay
$284,140, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 65.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $7.5 million spent. CENTRAL INDUSTRIES (CI) IS THE EMPLOYMENT DIVISION OF THE CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (CABVI). CI EMPLOYS 190 PEOPLE IN AN INTEGRATED AND DIVERSE COMPETITIVE WORK SETTING COMPRISED OF 109 LEGALLY BLIND AND 81 SIGHTED INDIVIDUALS. TASKS INCLUDE PACKAGING, MACHINE OPERATION, CALL CENTER SERVICES, DATA ENTRY, WAREHOUSING SERVICES, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASSEMBLY. EMPLOYEES EARN COMPETITIVE WAGES AND ENJOY BENEFITS SUCH AS PAID TIME OFF, HEALTH INSURANCE AND A VALUABLE RETIREMENT PLAN WITH UP TO 6% IN COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS. THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED ARE SOLD TO NEW YORK STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGH THE PREFERRED SOURCE STATE PROGRAM AND THE FEDERAL ABILITY ONE PROGRAM. CABVI ALSO PURSUES COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS.
  2. $4.8 million spent. THE REHABILITATION SERVICES DIVISION OF CABVI SERVED 2,185 INDIVIDUALS, ASSISTING PEOPLE ALL OVER NEW YORK STATE, LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND SAFELY. SERVICES PROVIDED ARE:-ORIENTATION & MOBILITY TRAINING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS MOVE SAFELY THROUGH THEIR ENVIRONMENT,-ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND UTILIZE COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE,-SOCIAL CASEWORK HELPS INDIVIDUALS DEAL WITH AND ACCEPT BLINDNESS,-LOW VISION EXAMS HELP TO DETERMINE WHAT ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT CAN BE HELPFUL,-VOCATIONAL TRAINING HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND FIND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT,-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO HELP CHILDREN WITH OCULAR MUSCLE IMBALANCE TO STRENGTHEN THEIR WEAK EYE; TO HELP ADULTS ADJUST TO THE OCULAR IMPLICATIONS FROM STROKE OR CONCUSSION,-VISION REHABILITATION THERAPY TO ASSIST ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN BUILDING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS,-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WITH TEACHERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED WORKING CLOSELY WITH CHILDREN WITH VISION LOSS TO ENSURE THEY ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS ALONGSIDE THEIR SIGHTED PEERS, -CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT IN CLINICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT WILL HELP US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS OF VISION LOSS THAT COULD LEAD TO SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS IN TREATMENT,-ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RECREATION SERVICES THAT ALLOW CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO DEVELOP SELF-CONFIDENCE, ENHANCE FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH, REDUCE ISOLATION AND CREATE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES AND-PRESCHOOL VISION SCREEENINGS THAT HELP US TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN IN NEED OF EYEGLASSES OR ADDITIONAL VISION REMEDIATION.
  3. $1.7 million spent. CABVI'S THIRD LARGEST DIVISION IS COMPRISED OF SIX BASE SUPPLY CENTERS, WHICH ARE OFFICE SUPPLY STORES ON MILITARY BASES LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST. MANY OF THE PRODUCTS SOLD IN THESE STORES ARE PRODUCTS MADE BY CABVI AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE DISABLED. THESE STORES EMPLOY LEGALLY BLIND EMPLOYEES THAT SERVE CUSTOMERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1937.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 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.