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Blue Grass Council of the Blind

EIN 61-0971827 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BCB'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR KENTUCKIANS AFFECTED BY VISION LOSS THROUGH PEER SUPPORT, TECHNOLOGY, TRAINING AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

Income
$323,074
Spending
$320,375
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
10.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
8

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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Weak: 48 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $145,818 spent. THROUGH NEARLY 50 TOTAL PEER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES, SUPPORT GROUPS, WORKSHOPS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED BUILT LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, GAINED CONFIDENCE, AND REDUCED SOCIAL ISOLATION. MOBILE MARKET & INDEPENDENT LIVING: OUR TWICE MONTHLY MOBILE MARKET PROGRAM PROVIDED FRESH FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS TO 294 HOUSEHOLDS. IN ADDITION TO OFFERING SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES, THE PROGRAM GAVE CLIENTS THE ABILITY TO SHOP WITH DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING SIGHTED VOLUNTEERS FOR IN- STORE ASSISTANCE AND TRANSPORTATION PASSES TO ACCESS THE MARKET. THIS REDUCED BARRIERS AROUND BOTH ACCESS TO FOOD AND THE NEED FOR CONSTANT RELIANCE ON FAMILY OR FRIENDS FOR BASIC ERRANDS. IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED OVER 3318 POUNDS OF FOOD TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. STAFF GUIDED CLIENTS THROUGH CRITICAL CHALLENGES IN HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, LEGAL RIGHTS, AND TRANSPORTATION, ENSURING THEY COULD LIVE SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY. OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS REACHED 480 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND SEMINARS, EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC ON THE RIGHTS, NEEDS AND ABILITIES OF PEOPLE WITH LOW TO NO VISION, ALONG WITH USEFUL TECHNIQUES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN A FRIENDLY AND DIGNIFIED MANNER. THROUGH NEARLY 50 TOTAL PEER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES, SUPPORT GROUPS, WORKSHOPS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED BUILT LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, GAINED CONFIDENCE, AND REDUCED SOCIAL ISOLATION. MOBILE MARKET & INDEPENDENT LIVING: OUR TWICE MONTHLY MOBILE MARKET PROGRAM PROVIDED FRESH FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS TO 294 HOUSEHOLDS. IN ADDITION TO OFFERING SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES, THE PROGRAM GAVE CLIENTS THE ABILITY TO SHOP WITH DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING SIGHTED VOLUNTEERS FOR IN- STORE ASSISTANCE AND TRANSPORTATION PASSES TO ACCESS THE MARKET. THIS REDUCED BARRIERS AROUND BOTH ACCESS TO FOOD AND THE NEED FOR CONSTANT RELIANCE ON FAMILY OR FRIENDS FOR BASIC ERRANDS. IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED OVER 3318 POUNDS OF FOOD TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. STAFF GUIDED CLIENTS THROUGH CRITICAL CHALLENGES IN HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, LEGAL RIGHTS, AND TRANSPORTATION, ENSURING THEY COULD LIVE SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY. OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS REACHED 480 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND SEMINARS, EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC ON THE RIGHTS, NEEDS AND ABILITIES OF PEOPLE WITH LOW TO NO VISION, ALONG WITH USEFUL TECHNIQUES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN A FRIENDLY AND DIGNIFIED MANNER.
  2. $145,817 spent. TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENCE: THIS YEAR, BCB DEMONSTRATED 1106 AND DISTRIBUTED OR LOANED 477 ASSISTIVE DEVICES AND PROVIDED 455.75 HOURS OF TECHNOLOGY TRAINING TO HELP CLIENTS MASTER SCREEN READERS, SMARTPHONES, ADAPTIVE DEVICES AND APPS: TOOLS THAT SUPPORT EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND DAILY LIVING.

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 July 1980.

    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.