BBB Wise Giving Report for
Learning Ally

BBB Wise Giving Report issued August 2010
BBB Wise Giving Report expires August 2012


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Learning Ally
Address: 20 Roszel Road
  Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: 609-520-8010
800-803-7201
Web Address: www.rfbd.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Formerly known as:Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic

Year, State Incorporated: 1951, New York
Affiliates: None

Stated Purpose: “to create opportunities for individual success by providing, and promoting the effective use of accessible educational materials”

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

RFBD meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

RFBD serves people who cannot effectively read standard print due to visual impairment, dyslexia or another physical disability. RFBD produces audio textbooks and other educational materials for individuals with print disabilities.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, RFBD's program expenses were:

  
Recording studio 29,714,546
Services coordination 13,341,485
Production 5,365,817
Total Program Expenses: $48,421,848
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : John Kelly, President and CEO
Compensation*:
 $357,687

Chair of the Board: Andrew Hofer
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Managing Director, Brown Brothers Harriman & Company

Board Size: 17

Paid Staff Size: 203

*July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010 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, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and planned giving.
Fund raising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $39,043,953, 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 RFBD's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Donated services 24,295,818
Fees and product sales 8,271,690
Contributions and private grants 7,238,632
Government grants and contracts 4,226,937
Legacies and trusts 2,635,915
Special events 646,651
Interest and dividends 600,800
Other revenues 157,095
Unrealized and realized losses on investments, net -7,063,895
Total Income $41,009,643


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 74%  Fund Raising: 9%  Administrative: 14%  Other Expenses: 3%

Total income   $41,009,643
  Program expenses $48,421,848
  Fund raising expenses 5,625,951
  Administrative expenses 9,235,964
  Other Expenses 1,994,774
Total expenses   $65,278,537
Expenses in Excess of Income   (24,268,894)
Beginning net assets   64,934,458
Other Changes in Net Assets (2,056)
Ending net assets   40,663,508
Total liabilities   6,233,503
Total assets   $46,897,011

Note 1: According to RFBD's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2009, the organization received in-kind donations in the amount of $24,295,818 which included volunteer services ($23,595,101), donated space ($367,313), and donated books ($333,404).

Note 2: In the above financial summary, "other expenses" represents the costs associated with public affairs.

Note 3: In the above financial summary, "other changes in net assets" represents the loss on disposal and sale of property and equipment.

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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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