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Mindseye Radio

EIN 81-2553623 · Belleville, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Translating Vision into Audio. MindsEye builds a more inclusive community by translating vision into audio for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Income
$820,659
Spending
$728,371
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
10
Volunteers
288
Highest pay
$76,033, president & ceo

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 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 (3)
  1. $182,882 spent. MindsEye began an audio description service, training 30 volunteers to go to theatres, museums and other cultural events to describe action on stage or art. A total of 31 events were described to people who were visually impaired
  2. $167,418 spent. MindsEye produced over 130 hours a week of unique programming that featured volunteers reading from magazines, newspapers, books and retail ads. This programming was distributed to over 13,000 people who are blind, low vision, or had another physical disability that prevents them from reading. Broadcasts played over closed circuit radio, several apps, a phone service, and on MindsEye's website. Additionally, all hours of programming are available as mp3s each week that are available for registered listeners to download, 20 of these hours are available in specialized DAISY format, making them easier to navigate.
  3. $124,017 spent. BeepBall is described by blind athletes as a dream come true, it adds a spin on baseball that allows players with a visual disability to compete on the same field with sighted players. Guided by sound rather than sight, three key things make BeepBall different from traditional baseball. One is the ball. The BeepBall is a Chicago-style softball with an internal speaker that makes a beeping sound when activated. Next are the bases there are only two: first base and third base. The bases are made of dense foam covered in vinyl fabric and are in the shape of a four-foot pillar with a cubed base that houses a buzzing speaker system. That speaker system is activated manually by an umpire with a switch box. The third difference, and most important leveling the playing field, is the blindfold. Continued on Schedule O A typical at bat works as follows: a blindfolded batter steps up to the plate and a pitcher, who is sighted and on the hitter's team, underhand pitches the BeepBall to the batter, telling them when to swing. If contact is made and the ball is put into play, the umpire with flip the switch randomly for first OR third base. If the batter touches the base before one of two sighted spotters, gets possession of the ball before the batter reaches the base, then the batter is out. BeepBall became one of Minds Eye's programs in July 2018. MindsEye's BeepBall program hosts two annual tournaments. The program also offers demonstrations around the St. Louis region for universities, schools, and events where we teach individuals about persons with Visual Impairments as well as how to play this great adaptive game. The Beep Baseball has teams from all over the country, and a few from outside the US, compete on a national level in a week-long tournament to be the Beep Baseball World Champions.

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 November 6, 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 October 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.