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Blind-Visually Impaired Early Services of Tennessee

EIN 85-3579692 · Brentwood, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BLIND EARLY SERVICES TN ENSURES THAT FAMILIES ARE EMPOWERED AND EQUIPPED THROUGH SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS OF SUPPORT TO PROVIDE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE BLIND OR LOW VISION THEIR ABSOLUTE BEST START.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
32
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$92,291, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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

    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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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. $878,855 spent. OUR BEST START PROGRAM PROVIDES EARLY INTERVENTION AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THROUGH CERTIFIED TEACHERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED (CTVIS) OR SPECIALLY TRAINED DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPISTS OR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH BLINDNESS OR LOW-VISION. AN ESTIMATED 5,414 SERVICES HOURS WERE DELIVERED TO MORE THAN 300 FAMILIES IN OVER 50 COUNTIES.
  2. FIRST OFFERED IN THE WINTER OF 2022, OUR BEST ADVOCATE PROGRAM PROVIDES QUARTTERLY VIRTUAL TRANNG FREE TO PARENTS/CAREGIVERS THAT INTRODUCES IDEA PART B LAW AND HELPS TO PREPARE FOR THE CHILDS TRANSITION INTO SCHOOL/PART B SERVICES.
  3. OUR BEST SCREENING PROGRAM IS IN THE PILOT STAGE PHASE WITH THE GOAL OF DECREASING THE AGE OF REFERRAL TO EARLY INTERVENTION VISION SERVICES. WE HAVE ALSO ADDED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO OUR SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2021.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.