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Blind Service Association Inc

EIN 36-2240484 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 40% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 82 cents.

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

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES VARIOUS SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE TO THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN THE CHICAGO AREA. IT PROVIDES READING AND RECORDING SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO ITS CLIENTS, IN ADDITION TO A NUMBER OF OTHER SUCCESSFUL AND POPULAR EDUCATION, RECREATIONAL AND SUPPORT GROUPS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
40%
Reserves
47.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 77%
Employees
10
Volunteers
84
Highest pay
$143,395, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 47.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 398% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    40% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 82 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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, 2024, 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 (6)
  1. $145,543 spent. READING AND RECORDING:THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE READING AND RECORDING OF MATERIAL SO THAT BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE WHETHER AT SCHOOL, ON THE JOB OR IN THEIR HOME.
  2. $204,155 spent. PATHWAYS (YOUTH PROGRAM):THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND STUDENTS WITH MENTORING, ACADEMIC TRACK COACHING, COLLEGE READINESS, COMPUTER TRAINING, A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER AND A 6-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM CALLED PATHWAYS. THE PURPOSE OF PATHWAYS IS TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE AS THESE YOUNG PEOPLE REACH ADULTHOOD. THEY ARE TAUGHT DAILY LIVING SKILLS, PARTICIPATE IN RECREATIONAL AND PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES AND LEARN CANE TRAVEL AS THEY VISIT VARIOUS CULTURAL SITES IN THE CITY. BSA ALSO PROVIDES GLASSES AND VISION AIDS TO THOSE IN NEED AND GRANTS $30,000 YEARLY IN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO LEGALLY BLIND COLLEGE, GRADUATE AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS.
  3. $106,683 spent. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS. ACTIVITIES OFFERED INCLUDE KITTING CLUB, TAI-CHI, PILATES, BOOK CLUB, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AUDIO DESCRIBED FILMS, CURRENT EVENTS, FARMERS MARKET, SUPPER CLUB, ARTS AND LITERATURE WEEK, TOURS AND OUTINGS, AND A DEDICATED THEATRE PROGRAM.
  4. $40,037 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE GRANTS OF $40,000 YEARLY IN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO LEGALLY BLIND AND LOW-VISION COLLEGE, GRADUATE, AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS.
  5. $102,449 spent. CLIENT SUPPORT SERVICES:THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, RECREATION, AND SUPPORT TO BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS. THERE ARE FOUR SEPARATE SUPPORT GROUPS THAT INDIVIDUALS ATTEND ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE PURPOSE IS TO OFFER SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO ADJUST TO THEIR EYE CONDITION. EDUCATION SEMINARS ARE HELD ONE TO TWO TIMES PER MONTH IN ORDER TO OFFER INFORMATION TO HELP BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE BETTER ADAPT TO THEIR CONDITION. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS THEIR CLIENTS WITH VARIOUS CLUBS AND SOCIAL EVENTS THAT HELP THEM TO REMAIN ACTIVE AND CONNECTED TO OTHERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE BRAILLE LESSONS AND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT.
  6. $34,106 spent. VISION EXPO:THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL VISION EXPO SHOWCASES THE LATEST PRODUCTS, SERVICES, ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, AND RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 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 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.