Better Business Bureau Report for
Guild for the Blind

Better Business Bureau Report issued November 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires November 2013


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Guild for the Blind
Address: 65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 1010
  Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-236-8569
Web Address: www.guildfortheblind.org
Also known as:The Guild
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:Catholic Guild for the Blind

Year, State Incorporated: 1947, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Through the recognition of individual strengths and aspirations, the Guild for the Blind offers alternative perspectives for living with vision loss. Working together, we tailor our training and support to help every person realize their potential.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Guild for the Blind meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Vision loss affects an individual physically, emotionally and socially. Without intervention, the quality of life deteriorates with a higher risk for depression, lower self-esteem and a poorer outlook for the future. We provide client-centered vision rehabilitation services in a supportive environment. Vision loss affects each individual differently and adjusting to vision loss is a process, with different people at different stages. Each program is designed to have a direct and immediate impact on the quality of our clients' lives and to prepare them for more advanced training. Our programs empower our clients, encouraging them to take control of their lives, not become dependant upon our services. Our services are offered individually or in small groups and fall in three areas: Counseling Services helps clients accept their vision loss and prepares them emotionally to move ahead with more complex rehabilitation training. It prepares our members to take control of their lives, set their own goals and reach out for those resources that will assist them in reaching those goals. Independent Living Services teaches adults with vision loss how to safely and efficiently do the daily living tasks that make up every day lives. Training can be as simple as learning to thread a needle or as complex as crossing a major intersection. . Adaptive Technology Services offers training on computers and other technology, both mainstream devices and those that are adapted specificially for people with vision loss—using screen magnification and speech output.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, Guild for the Blind's program expenses were:

  
Rehabilitation Services 291,930
Adaptive Technology 227,026
Employment Services 126,702
Total Program Expenses: $645,658
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : David J. Tabak, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$110,200

Chair of the Board: John Budzynski
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Illinois College of Optometry

Board Size: 10

Paid Staff Size: 7

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements, membership
Fund raising costs were 35% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $380,673, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on Guild for the Blind's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Government Contracts 341,785
Contributions 233,823
Investment Inceom 77,187
Bequests 74,034
Product Sales 50,018
In Kind 42,589
Special Events 30,227
Service Revenue 26,904
Miscellaneous 456
Total Income $877,023


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 75%  Fund Raising: 16%  Administrative: 9% 

Total income   $877,023
  Program expenses $645,658
  Fund raising expenses 133,354
  Administrative expenses 74,417
 
Total expenses   $853,429
Income in Excess of Expenses   23,594
Beginning net assets   831,906
Ending net assets   855,500
Total liabilities   183,912
Total assets   $1,039,412


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

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