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Travis Association for the Blind

EIN 74-1143060 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWER TEXANS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED BY DEVELOPING SKILLS, BUILDING CAREERS, AND FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE.

Income
$45.7 million
Spending
$41.5 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 96%
Employees
460
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$429,255, 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 36% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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. $31.9 million spent. THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES SOCIAL SERVICES AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BY ASSISTING THE BLIND IN SOLVING PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO HOUSING, AIDS, SSI, SSDI BENEFITS, MEDICAL REFERRAL, REFERRALS TO OTHER AGENCIES, AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT AIDS. THE ASSOCIATION ASSISTS THOSE IN NEED BY PURCHASING GLASSES AND READING AIDS. COMPUTER CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES HIGHLY QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH MOBILITY TRAINING AND LONG CANE TRAVEL AND FUNCTIONS. THE ASSOCIATION OPERATES MANUFACTURING FACILITIES THAT PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL AND EXTENDED EMPLOYMENT FOR THE BLIND. THE BLIND WORKERS MANUFACTURE BELTS, KEY CASES, AWARD PLAQUES, AND HAND SOAP AND HAND SANITIZERS, WHICH IT SELLS TO FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. BLIND WORKERS ARE EMPLOYED IN OUR WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER OPERATIONS, FULFILLING CUSTOMER ORDERS THAT ARE SHIPPED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THESE WORKERS USE A VARIETY OF TECHNOLOGY TO ENABLE THEM TO PICK AND PACK ORDERS, OPERATE FORKLIFTS, AND OTHER MATERIAL MOVING EQUIPMENT.

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 February 1986.

    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.