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Via Visually Impaired Advancement

EIN 16-0743930 · Buffalo, 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 HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH VISION IMPAIRMENTS ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE.

Income
$15.2 million
Spending
$12.9 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
14.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
175
Volunteers
49
Highest pay
$190,439, ceo

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 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 (3)
  1. $6.1 million spent. LIGHT MANUFACTURING & WAREHOUSING: WE OPERATE A MARKET COMPETITIVE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND IN A COMMUNITY AND MARKET-COMPETITIVE SETTING. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS WE SELL, WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTE MERCHANDISE TO GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCIAL CONSUMERS THAT ARE PRODUCED, ASSEMBLED OR PACKAGED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PROVIDED WITH MARKET COMPETITIVE WAGES AND BENEFITS AND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR UPWARD MOBILITY.
  2. $2.8 million spent. SWITCHBOARDS & CONTACT CENTER: WE OPERATE A MARKET COMPETITIVE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS WE OPERATE CONTACT CENTER AND SWITCHBOARD SERVICE FOR NUMEROUS FEDERAL, STATE, MUNICIPAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS PROVIDING SERVICES 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. SERVICES INCLUDE 211, THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE INFORMATION REFERRAL HELP LINE AND RESOURCE DATABASE FOR THE 8 COUNTIES OF WESTERN NEW YORK; NIAGARA COUNTY 311 SERVICE; SWITCHBOARD OPERATIONS AT THE VA MEDICAL CENTERS IN BUFFALO, NY AND ERIE, PA; UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO SWITCHBOARD SERVICES; INTAKE FOR EMERGENCY RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES; HOUSING PLACEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS; AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFERINGS. OVER 65% OF THE STAFF IS BLIND OR PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND COMPENSATED WITH COMPETITIVE WAGES AND BENEFITS.
  3. $1.8 million spent. VISION REHABILITATION: AGENCY PROGRAMS PROVIDE VISION REHABILITATION AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE 8 COUNTIES IN WESTERN NEW YORK. WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES FROM BIRTH TO THE ELDERLY THAT FOCUS ON EARLY INTERVENTION, PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS IN THE HOME, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY; ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY (WHITE CANE TRAVEL); SOCIAL WORK AND ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS COUNSELING; VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON EMPLOYMENT; LOW VISION EXAMS AND INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT ASSIST WITH MAXIMIZING INDEPENDENCE. WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 1000 CLIENTS ANNUALLY.

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

  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 June 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 July 1942.

    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.