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Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Christian Record Services for the Blind
Address:	4444 South 52nd Street
	Lincoln, NE 68516-1302
Phone:	402-488-0981
Web Address:	www.christianrecord.org

Christian Record Services for the Blind (CRSB) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. In reaching the conclusion that CRSB meets the BBB charity standard (Standard 8) calling for total program service expenses to be at least 65% of total expenses, the BBB considered the following. CRSB’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 show that total program service expenses were 63% of total expenses. However, the charity met this standard in the two previous fiscal years and this decreased percentage for program service expenses is due, in part, to the impact of the economic recession on the charity’s revenue.

CRSB provides reading material not otherwise available to blind children, teens, and adults. To educate, entertain, and inspire individuals who cannot see, three Braille magazines, three audio magazines, a large-print magazine, and a web blog-style magazine are edited, produced, and distributed. The Braille flagship magazine, “The Christian Record,” gives the organization its name. A lending library serves the blind with more than 2,000 audio book titles including some in Braille. Books are currently being converted to digital format for compatibility with the talking book player and flash memory cartridge system under development at the Library of Congress. Full-vision children's storybooks combine Braille, large text, and colorful illustrations, allowing blind adults to read to sighted children. CRSB reports that field representatives make about 10,000 visits to blind individuals to acquaint them with the organization’s free services. In addition to calling on businesses and individuals, the representatives speak at service clubs and churches and assist with the National Camps for Blind Children. Some ($1,045,060 or 33%) of CRSB's programs are conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, CRSB's program expenses were:

Public information and education	1,045,060
Camps and other direct services	756,319
Personal services	583,172
Production of periodicals	406,141
Lending library	376,290
Total Program Expenses:	$3,166,982

Chief Executive : Larry Pitcher, President

Compensation*:

$40,711

Highest Paid Executive: Matthew Orian,Treasurer
Compensation*: $55,598

Chair of the Board: Ted N. C. Wilson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Administrator

Co-Chair of the Board : Roscoe Howard

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Administrator

Co-Chair of the Board : Armando Miranda

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Administrator

Board Size: 24

Paid Staff Size: 67

*2008 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, door to door, and planned giving.

Fund raising costs were 29% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,747,551, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

CRSB incurred joint costs of $2,431,799 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $1,386,739 was allocated to fund raising expenses and $1,045,060 was allocated to program expenses.

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 CRSB's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Source of Funds
Contributions remitted by district reps	2,339,011
Direct mail	1,409,380
Legacies and bequests	428,467
Offerings from associated churches	425,066
Miscellaneous Income	150,665
Other contributions	145,627
Annuity net change	52,905
Investment Income	-238,188
Decrease in beneficial interest in trust assets	-512,437
Total Income	$4,200,496

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 63%  Fund Raising: 28%  Administrative: 9%

Total income				$4,200,496
	Program expenses			$3,166,982
	Fund raising expenses			1,386,739
	Administrative expenses			463,321
Total expenses				$5,017,042
Expenses in Excess of Income				(816,546)
Beginning net assets				4,153,846
Ending net assets				3,337,300
Total liabilities				1,318,012
Total assets				$4,655,312