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Braille Institute of America Inc

EIN 95-1641426 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. (See Schedule O)

Income
$83.6 million
Spending
$30.0 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
92.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 83%
Employees
220
Volunteers
1,405
Highest pay
$469,113, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 92.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 145% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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. $14.9 million spent. (SEE SCHEDULE O)A. Through BIA's Educational Services, 2,186 adults, ages 18 and older, participated in more than 82,000 hours of group classes in two core areas: 1) Daily Living Skills, which teaches adaptive techniques for completing everyday tasks that are critical to staying independent and maintaining quality of life, and 2) Arts & Healthy Living classes, which support emotional and mental well-being. These include classes on topics such as exercise, art, fall prevention, diabetic management, book clubs, discussion groups, and more. 2,800 individuals (including BIA students, low vision professionals, and other community members) attended a variety of seminars, workshops, and professional trainings. Independent Living Skills Instructors provided one-on-one instruction to 347 adults on adaptive techniques for completing routine tasks in the home on their own.B. BIA's Youth Program helped 106 young people (ages 7-19) cultivate self-confidence, independence, and set goals for the future.C. BIA's Child Development program for blind and visually impaired children (ages birth to 6) provided one-on-one services to 213 children and their families.D. BIA's Low Vision Occupational Therapists provided 11,239 one-on-one low vision consultations to 2,800 adults.E. BIA's Orientation and Mobility Specialists provided 4,045 one-on-one training sessions to 909 adults on how to prevent falls and safely navigate their environment using a white cane and sensory awareness.F. BIA's Access Technology staff provided 3,572 one-on-one training sessions in the use of mainstream devices with adaptive features and specialized technologies designed for people with a vision impairment to 1,412 students.
  2. $3.6 million spent. (SEE SCHEDULE O)BIA's award-winning Library is the official Southern California branch of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a division of the Library of Congress. With a collection of more than 170,000 titles in digital cartridge and braille formats, the Library is BIA's most used service, with 7,886 patrons receiving books and other support. In addition to checking out 792,972 books, Library patrons received one-on-one and group training in the use of accessible reading technologies, and BIA hosted a variety of clubs, classes, and other events. BIA's comprehensive Library services are available through the main library in our Los Angeles headquarters and through our six centers (Anaheim, Coachella Valley, Laguna Hills, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara) and through partner institutions.
  3. $3.0 million spent. (SEE SCHEDULE O)A. BIA's Special Collection produced and distributed 1,478 "Dots for Tots" braille storybook kits (for children ages 0-6) free to subscribers.B. BIA's award-winning national Braille Challenge competition, which tests braille competency skills, reached 1,320 students in grades 1-12 across more than 50 media markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.C. BIA's national orientation and mobility competition, Cane Quest, reached 378 students in grades 3-12.

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 September 1963.

    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.