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Maryland School for the Blind

EIN 52-0584118 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS A STATEWIDE RESOURCE CENTER, THE SCHOOL PROVIDES OUTREACH, EDUCATIONAL AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL BY PREPARING THEM TO BE AS SUCCESSFUL, INDEPENDENT, AND WELL-ROUNDED CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES AS POSSIBLE. THE MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND, SERVING AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF MARYLAND'S SPECIAL EDUCATION CONTINUUM, WILL EXCEED STUDENT-ACHIEVEMENT EXPECTATIONS BY SETTING HIGH STANDARDS AND PROVIDING BEST-PRACTICE PROGRAMS IN STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES. TO ACHIEVE ITS MULTIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES, THE SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO SAFETY, WELLNESS, FAIRNESS, RESPECT, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, ETHICAL STANDARDS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF PROGRAM QUALITY, PROFESSIONALISM, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND STEWARDSHIP OF FUNDS.

Income
$52.6 million
Spending
$43.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
20.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
438
Volunteers
145
Highest pay
$271,596, msb superintendent, & 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 (4)
  1. $16.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION FOR DIPLOMA-TRACK STUDENTS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THOSE PURSUING A CERTIFICATE OF PROGRAM COMPLETION. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS STUDENTS' ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT TO PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT. A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT IS AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS EDUCATIONAL NEEDS THAT CANNOT BE MET THROUGH DAY PROGRAMMING ALONE.
  2. $9.2 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S ESSENTIAL SKILLS LEARNING PROGRAM PROVIDES SPECIALIZED, COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WITH MULTIPLE AND SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT NEEDS WHO ARE WORKING TOWARD A CERTIFICATE OF PROGRAM COMPLETION. INSTRUCTION FOCUSES ON FUNCTIONAL LIFE SKILLS AND MULTI-SENSORY LEARNING AND INCORPORATES THE EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM AND INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORTS ALIGNED WITH IEP GOALS TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS. A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT IS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHOSE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED THROUGH NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.
  3. $4.6 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S INTENSIVE PROGRAM DELIVERS HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED ACADEMIC, BEHAVIORAL AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL, ADAPTIVE AND BEHAVIORAL SKILLS TO PROMOTE STUDENT PROGRESS, INCLUSION AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH AND MAY INCLUDE A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT.
  4. $8.0 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES (SUCH AS EARLY LEARNING, SUMMER PROGRAMS, OUTREACH AND ELECCT) THAT FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.

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 November 1934.

    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.