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Passes our checks

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired Inc

EIN 39-0977746 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE DIGNITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED BY PROVIDING SERVICES, ADVOCATING LEGISLATION, AND EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
57 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 49%
Employees
14
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$106,394, ceo/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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 57.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 78% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (2)
  1. $585,643 spent. THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED SELLS SPECIALIZED ASSISTIVE PRODUCTS AT LOW COST TO PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. DURING 2024, THESE ASSISTIVE PRODUCTS HELPED KEEP ABOUT 1,433 BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS INDEPENDENT. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO DISTRIBUTED 551 WHITE CANES AT NO COST TO BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS. WCBVI STILL PROVIDED 21 IN-HOME VISITS AND 164 PHONE CONSULTATIONS TO TEACH INDIVIDUALS WITH CHANGING VISION HOW TO DO FAMILIAR TASKS IN NEW WAYS. ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO GROUPS OF PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH OLDER ADULTS WITH VISION LOSS. LOW VISION ASSESSMENTS WERE ADMINISTERED TO 157 INDIVIDUALS, HELPING THEM LEARN HOW TO USE THEIR REMAINING VISION WITH THE BEST RESULTS. 308 PEOPLE RECEIVED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING DURING 2024. 232 PEOPLE WERE SEEN FOR ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING APPOINTMENTS.
  2. $336,469 spent. THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PROVIDES VARIOUS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT. 67 COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS PROVIDED INFORMATION TO 3,049 ATTENDEES.

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 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 2024.

    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 April 1953.

    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.

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