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Overbrook School for the Blind

EIN 23-1445631 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 89 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER EDUCATION THAT ENHANCES THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS AND OTHER CHALLENGES SO THAT THEY HAVE THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE ACTIVE AND FULFILLING LIVES.

Income
$36.4 million
Spending
$31.9 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
67.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
280
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$366,635, executive director

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 67.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 89 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $25.9 million spent. THE SCHOOL SERVES STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED, MANY OF WHOM HAVE ADDITIONAL DISABILITIES, ON A DAY AND RESIDENTIAL BASIS. STUDENTS ON CAMPUS RANGE FROM AGES 6 THROUGH 21 AND ARE GROUPED BY AGE INTO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL AND SCHOOL-TO-WORK PROGRAMS. ALL STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT IN SMALL CLASS SETTINGS WITH A TEACHER AND 1-2 PARA-EDUCATORS. STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN THE PA CORE STANDARDS AS WELL AS THE EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS. ALL MATERIALS ARE PRESENTED BASED ON THE RESULTS OF A LEARNING MEDIA ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE THE NEED FOR BRAILLE, LARGE PRINT, SPEECH OUTPUT AND/OR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. STUDENTS' PROGRAMS ARE INDIVIDUALIZED BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AS DETERMINED BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM.OSB ALSO SERVES CHILDREN AGES BIRTH-FIVE AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE HOME OR COMMUNITY SETTINGS WHICH COULD INCLUDE DAY CARE CENTERS, PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS, OR SPECIALIZED SETTINGS. OUR ITINERANT PROGRAM SERVES SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS WHO ATTEND PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.ALL INSTRUCTION IS FOCUSED ON PREPARING OUR STUDENTS TO BE AS INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY HAVE THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE ACTIVE AND FULFILLING LIVES.
  2. $2.5 million spent. OPERATION OF EARLY INTERVENTION, PRE-VOCATIONAL AND HABILITATION, AND WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED. THE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAMS OCCUR IN THE CHILD'S HOME, DAY CARE CENTER OR ON LOCATION AT THE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SERVICES. THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO EMPOWER FAMILIES WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO BE ADVOCATES FOR THEIR CHILDREN, TO HELP THE CHILDREN LEARN TO EXPLORE THEIR ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH PLAY AND FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TO HELP THE CHILDREN LEARN TO BE AS INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE. THE SCHOOL-TO-WORK PROGRAM PROVIDES INTENSIVE INSTRUCTION FOR 19-21 YEAR OLDS. STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN COMMUNICATION SKILLS, SOCIAL SKILLS, DAILY LIVING, VOCATIONAL OR WORK EXPERIENCE SKILLS, LEISURE SKILLS AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. THE WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM PREPARES STUDENTS THROUGH CLASSROOM LESSONS AND VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCES AT THE SCHOOL AND AT AREA BUSINESSES FOR THE ADULT WORK WORLD THEY WILL ENTER AFTER GRADUATION. THE EMPHASIS IS ON T.E.C.H., TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, CAREERS AND HABILITATION. THE MISSION OF THE PROGRAM IS "TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE AND DYNAMIC VOCATIONAL ATMOSPHERE WHICH PREPARES EACH STUDENT TO CAPABLY HANDLE PRESENT AND FUTURE WORK ASSIGNMENTS PLUS DEVELOP THE SOCIAL BEHAVIORS REQUIRED FOR THE ADULT WORLD VOCATIONAL PROGRAM AND EMPLOYMENT ENVIRONMENTS." THE WHITEHALL INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM IS ALSO A COMPONENT OF SERVICES PROVIDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND SCHOOL-TO-WORK AGED STUDENTS THAT ENTAILS DORMITORY/APARTMENT LIVING WITH MENU PLANNING, FOOD PREPARATION, SELF-CARE SKILLS, AND LAUNDRY SKILLS AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM.

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 November 6, 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 December 1935.

    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 November 4, 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.