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The Colorado Center for the Blind

EIN 74-2465141 · Littleton, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND PROVIDES TRAINING WHICH ENABLES BLIND INDIVIDUALS TO LEAD INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIVE LIVES.

Income
$12.1 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
14.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
27
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$96,473, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 10 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $6.2 million spent. INDEPENDENCE TRAINING PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR BLIND ADULTS AGES EIGHTEEN AND UP. THE TYPICAL PROGRAM LENGTH IS SIX TO NINE MONTHS. STUDENTS NOT ONLY BUILD THE SKILLS THEY WILL NEED TO BE INDEPENDENT, BUT ALSO FOCUS ON GAINING CONFIDENCE AND BELIEF IN THEMSELVES AS BLIND PEOPLE. CLASSES INCLUDE HOME MANAGEMENT, CANE TRAVEL, BRAILLE, ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS, COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY, INDUSTRIAL ARTS AND VOCATIONAL PLANNING. STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT BY POSITIVE BLIND ROLE MODELS AND LEARN THAT THEY CAN COMPETE WITH THEIR SIGHTED PEERS. WHEN THE STUDENT COMPLETES TRAINING, THEY ARE ABLE TO APPLY FOR EMPLOYMENT OR ATTEND A VOCATIONAL OR ACADEMIC PROGRAM.
  2. $297,289 spent. OLDER BLIND ADULTS SERVICES PROGRAM. DESIGNED TO SERVE BLIND ADULTS 55 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP OLDER BLIND ADULTS GAIN THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO STAY INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOMES AND CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN DAILY ACTIVITIES. OPTIONS OFFERED INCLUDE IN-HOME TEACHING SERVICES, GROUP CLASSES (BRAILE, COOKING AND CANE TRAVEL), SUPPORT GROUPS AROUND THE METRO AREA, COMPUTER AND PHONE INSTRUCTION AND OLDER BLIND ADULTS TAKING CHARGE THIS IS A FIVE DAY RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM OFFERING INTENSIVE SKILLS OF BLINDNESS TRAINING.
  3. $223,498 spent. YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-21 IN BOTH YEAR ROUND AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING. CORE COMPONENTS ARE MENTORING, SKILLS OF BLINDNESS BUILDING, INDEPENDENT LIVING, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND SERVICES TO PARENTS AND EDUCATORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 1988.

    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.