Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	American Foundation for the Blind
Address:	2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102
	New York, NY 10121
Phone:	212-502-7600 212-502-7623
Web Address:	www.afb.org

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

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. AFB does not meet this Standard because: According to its audited financial statements (consolidated with affiliate) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, the organization's fund raising costs were 69% ($3,201,000) of related contributions, which totaled $4,643,000. In response to this finding, AFB stated, AFB's [2011 evaluation] was affected by the following: A marked reduction in donations from private sources due to national economic conditions A downward trend in income in bequest donation and other legacies A major restructuring effort that ultimately led to lower expense but incurred significant one-time costs such as relocation and severance packages.

AFB meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

AFB works with visually impaired persons and manufacturers to develop, test, and evaluate assistive devices and everyday technologies. From cell phones, computers and ATMs, to blood pressure monitors, blood glucose monitors and other life-saving technologies, AFB provides objective analyses of, and recommends improvements to, the products that help people with vision loss manage their daily lives. The organization is a publisher of books and training materials required by teachers and other professionals who serve people with vision loss. Furthermore, AFB works with legislators to influence public policy affecting health care, education and rehabilitation of blind persons, as well as laws that relate to economic status and civil rights. Through AFB’s website, the organization provides information, referrals and community support to seniors, job-seekers and families living with blindness.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, AFB's program expenses were:

Information developement, collection and dissemination	3,981,000
Issue identification, analysis, and problem solving	3,148,000
Production, sale and distribution of audio materials	1,189,000
Public education and advocacy	770,000
Total Program Expenses:	$9,088,000

Chief Executive : Carl R. Augusto, President and CEO

Compensation*:

$325,560

Chair of the Board: Concetta F. Conkling
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank

Board Size: 26

Paid Staff Size: 65

*July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, and face-to-face solicitations.

Fund raising costs were 69% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,643,000, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

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.

The following information is based on AFB's audited financial statements (consolidated with affiliate) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds
Investment activity	4,927,000
Miscellaneous revenue	2,882,000
Public support	2,840,000
Legacies and bequests	1,657,000
Sales, primarily talking books and other audio materials and publications	1,533,000
Grants from government agencies	146,000
Total Income	$13,985,000

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 66%  Fund Raising: 23%  Administrative: 11%

Total income				$13,985,000
	Program expenses			$9,088,000
	Fund raising expenses			3,201,000
	Administrative expenses			1,572,000
Total expenses				$13,861,000
Income in Excess of Expenses				124,000
Beginning net assets				42,191,000
Other Changes in Net Assets				8,000
Ending net assets				42,323,000
Total liabilities				1,833,000
Total assets				$44,156,000

Note 1:
In the above financial summary, "other changes in net assets" represents postretirement related changes.

Note 2:
According to AFB's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, the organization's in-kind donations totaled $110,602 which includes promotion costs ($30,000), production costs ($26,550), hotel and rooms ($25,000), airfare ($24,052), and furniture ($5,000).