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San Diego Center for the Blind

EIN 95-3076944 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO INCREASE THE ABILITIES OF ANY ADULT WITH BLINDNESS OR VISUAL IMPAIRMENT TO REACH THEIR OWN HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
59.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 34%
Employees
22
Highest pay
$137,116, executive di

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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 59.9 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 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 90 out of 100.

  • 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $648,803 spent. THE SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR THE BLIND PROVIDES VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH CHANGING VISION TO THOSE WITH NO VISION. IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP CLIENTS REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE. PROFESSIONAL, HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMING THAT HAS BECOME A NATIONAL MODEL FOR SERVICE DELIVERY, APPROXIMATELY FIFTY PERCENT OF TEACHING STAFF ARE VISION IMPAIRED. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES: INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS; ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS COUNSELING, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY; ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY; BRAILLE AND OUTREACH SERVICES.
  2. $261,190 spent. THE SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR THE BLIND PROVIDES A VISION REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS 55 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. THIS COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM INCLUDES: INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS; ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS COUNSELING; ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY; ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY; BRAILLE AND OUTREACH SERVICES. IT IS PARTIALLY FUNDED THROUGH A TITLE VII CHAPTER 2 GRANT.
  3. $81,242 spent. THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND STORE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8:30 AM TO 4:30 P.M. IT PROVIDES ASSESSMENT,TRAINING, AND THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE PRODUCTS BASED ON EACH INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS. OUR LOW VISION PROFESSIONALS ARE ABLE TO EVALUATE EACH INDIVIDUAL CLIENT'S NEEDS BY HANDS ON ASSESSMENT WITH A VAST ARRAY OF THE LATEST AS WELL AS TRIED AND TRUE TECHNOLOGY. OUR PROFESSIONALAL STAFF ARE ALSO ABLE TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING ON THE PROPER USE OF OUR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES. THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND STORE IS THE ONLY CENTER OF ITS KIND IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TO ALL GROUPS TO BENEFIT ANY INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING CHANGING VISION TO THOSE WITH NO VISION.
  4. $341,852 spent. EXPENSES REVENUES SDCB LOW VISION CENTER THE SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR THE BLIND (SDCB) CONTINUES TO PROVIDE QUALITY CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH VISION LOSS. THE SDCB LOW VISION CLINIC PROVIDES THE NECESSARY ASSESSMENT, TRAINING AND RECOMMENDATION OF PRODUCTS (E.G. MAGNIFICATION, LIGHTING AND TRAINING) FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE VISION CAN NO LONGER BE CORRECTED WITH GLASSES, SURGERY OR OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENT. STAFF INCLUDES A LOW VISION OPTOMETRIST AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. EXPENSES 128,171 REVENUES 93,333 OUTREACH SERVICES EXPENSES 35,784 REVENUES 0
  5. EXPENSES REVENUES SDCB LOW VISION CENTER THE SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR THE BLIND (SDCB) CONTINUES TO PROVIDE QUALITY CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH VISION LOSS. THE SDCB LOW VISION CLINIC PROVIDES THE NECESSARY ASSESSMENT, TRAINING AND RECOMMENDATION OF PRODUCTS (E.G. MAGNIFICATION, LIGHTING AND TRAINING) FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE VISION CAN NO LONGER BE CORRECTED WITH GLASSES, SURGERY OR OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENT. STAFF INCLUDES A LOW VISION OPTOMETRIST AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. EXPENSES 128,171 REVENUES 93,333 OUTREACH SERVICES EXPENSES 35,784 REVENUES 0

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 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 June 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 January 1990.

    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.