BBB Wise Giving Report for
American Council of the Blind

BBB Wise Giving Report issued October 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires June 2013


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: American Council of the Blind
Address: 2200 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 650
  Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 202-467-5081
Web Address: www.acb.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1961, District of Columbia
Affiliates: American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services, Inc.

Stated Purpose: "to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people by: serving as a representative national organization of blind people; elevating the social, economic and cultural levels of blind people; improving educational and rehabilitation facilities and opportunities; cooperating with the public and private institutions and organizations concerned with blind services; encouraging and assisting all blind persons to develop their abilities and conducting a public education program to promote greater understanding of blindness and the capabilities of blind people."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

American Council of the Blind (ACB) does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 7: Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness - Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

ACB does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the past two years.

Standard 9: Fund Raising Expense Ratio - Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.

ACB does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to its 2009 audited financial statements (consolidated with subsidiary), the organization's fund raising costs were 37% ($272,567) of related contributions, which totaled $728,807.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

ACB does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.acb.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.

Standard 18: Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy - Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

ACB does not meet this Standard because:

  •  The organization's website, www.acb.org, does not have a privacy policy that includes the recommended privacy information.
ACB meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

ACB seeks to improve the well being of blind and visually impaired individuals through its monthly magazine, “the Braille Forum.” The magazine is produced in Braille, large print, cassette, and IBM-compatible computer disc and contains articles on employment, legislation, sports and leisure activities, new products and services, human interest and other information of interest to blind and visually impaired people. The Council produces a monthly half-hour radio information program, ACB Reports, for radio reading information services. It also distributes TV and radio public service announcements highlighting the capabilities of blind people. Other services provided by ACB include a toll-free information and referral service, scholarship assistance to blind/visually impaired post-secondary students, public education and awareness training, leadership and legislative training, etc.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, ACB's program expenses were:

  
Publications and public awareness 455,367
Organizational development 190,151
Research and government awareness 121,549
Liason with other agencies and organizations 107,290
Program consultation 67,580
Scholarships 56,083
Total Program Expenses: $998,020
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $100,243

Chair of the Board: Mitch Pomerantz
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired, City of Los Angeles Human Resource Manager

Board Size: 16

Paid Staff Size: 5

*2009 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, telemarketing, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.
Fund raising costs were 37% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $728,807, 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 ACB's 2009 audited financial statements (consolidated with subsidiary).

Source of Funds  
Contributions from individuals and organizations 538,732
Gain on investments 426,206
Legacies and bequests 190,075
Miscellaneous income 132,143
Other activities 73,352
Assessments and dues from local member units 67,216
Program fees 11,818
Thrift shop activities, net 7,980
Total Income $1,447,522


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 70%  Fund Raising: 19%  Administrative: 11% 

Total income   $1,447,522
  Program expenses $998,020
  Fund raising expenses 272,567
  Administrative expenses 154,443
 
Total expenses   $1,425,030
Income in Excess of Expenses   22,492
Beginning net assets   1,696,021
Ending net assets   1,718,513
Total liabilities   329,101
Total assets   $2,047,614

Note: According to ACB, the organization received in-kind donations in the amount of $13,453 for board travel.

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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.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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