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Industries of the Blind Inc

EIN 56-0532308 · Greensboro, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACHIEVE GREATER INDEPENDENCE.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
14 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 71%
Employees
329
Volunteers
31
Highest pay
$360,921, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $3.9 million spent. TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACHIEVE GREATERINDEPENDENCE. INDUSTRIES OF THE BLIND, INC. OPERATES A MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLY, AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICE BUSINESS THAT EMPLOYS BLIND ANDSIGHTED PEOPLE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THEM THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE MANUFACTURING CONSISTS OF TEXTILE CUTTING AND SEWING FOR PRODUCTION OF MILITARY UNIFORMS, CLOTHING, AND COMMERCIAL GOODS. THE BLIND AND SIGHTED EMPLOYEES OF INDUSTRIES OF THE BLIND, INC. ALSO MANUFACTURE AND ASSEMBLE A VARIETY OF OFFICE SUPPLY AND SANITATION PRODUCTS INCLUDING WRITING INSTRUMENTS, CLIPBOARDS, MOPS, BROOMS, AND A VARIETY OF OTHER ITEMS. THE PROCESS TEACHES SEWING SKILLS, WORKING WITH FABRICS, AND MECHANIZED PROCEDURES TO THE BLIND AND SIGHTED EMPLOYEES. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, INDUSTRIES OF THE BLIND EMPLOYS 136 BLIND AND 111 SIGHTED PEOPLE. REVENUE SHOWN ABOVE IS NET OF COST OF GOODS SOLD EXPENSES ON THE FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 10B.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 September 1956.

    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.