Independence for the Blind of West Florida
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO TEACH INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, COMPUTER AND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT-RELATED SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED SO THEY CAN ACHIEVE MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE.
- Income
- $736,963
- Spending
- $733,749
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 5.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 68%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $74,880, executive di
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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $191,710 spent. THE OLDER BLIND PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS 55 OR OLDER WHOSE GOALS DO NOT INCLUDE FUTURE EMPLOYMENT. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS HELPING THE OLDER BLIND TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT, RETURN TO A FULL ROLE IN THE FAMILY, PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY, ADDRESS PERSONAL NEEDS AND GOALS THROUGH SPECIFIC TRAINING IN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ORIENTATION & MOBILITY - TRAINING IN SAFE AND INDEPENDENT TRAVEL; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS - TECHNIQUES FOR MONEY MANAGEMENT, HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE, PERSONAL GROOMING, RECORD KEEPING, ORGANIZATION, AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT; ACCESS TECHNOLOGY - COMPUTERS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKE THINGS ACCESSIBLE TO THE BLIND INCLUDING WORD PROCESSING, E-MAIL, AND THE INTERNET.
- $186,268 spent. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM - PROVIDES INSTRUCTION TO BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS WHO DESIRE TO BECOME OR REMAIN EMPLOYED. INSTRUCTION INCLUDES: EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS INCLUDING RESUME WRITING; INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES; JOB SEARCH METHODS; ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SKILLS, COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING.
- $169,953 spent. TRANSITION PROGRAM - A PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGES 14 THROUGH 21 THAT IS OFFERED YEAR-ROUND AFTER SCHOOL AND ON WEEKENDS PLUS AS AN INTENSIVE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR PLANNING POST-HIGH SCHOOL LIFE. TRAINING INCLUDES: COLLEGE PREPARATION AND/OR JOB READINESS SKILLS; SAFE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRAVEL SKILLS; COOKING AND SELF-CARE TECHNIQUES; USE OF VARIOUS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING THE USE OF COMPUTERS AND OTHER DEVICES; POLITE SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SELF-ADVOCACY; GUIDANCE IN UNDERSTANDING VOCATIONAL INTERESTS AND VALUES, AND ACTUAL ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCES.
- $118,920 spent. ADULT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.