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← ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

Totals

Total revenue
$3,332,745
Total expenses
$2,080,888
Contributions and grants received
$1,848,658
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$376,495
Investment income
$905,919
Other revenue
$201,673
Total assets, end of year
$20,312,474
Total liabilities, end of year
$186,319
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$20,126,155
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$1,532,335
Management and general expenses
$335,888
Fundraising expenses
$212,665
Program service expenses (Part III)
$1,532,335

Program services were 73.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $621,829

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $1,226,829

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $9,750

  • 2a · Program service revenue: CONTRACTED SERVICES

    total $229,769 · related or exempt $229,769

  • 2b · Program service revenue: LIVING AIDS

    total $146,726 · related or exempt $146,726

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $624,559 · excluded $624,559

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $374,906

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $311,765

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $63,141

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $63,141 · excluded $63,141

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $2,375,409 · other assets $8,500

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $2,102,549

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $272,860 · other assets $8,500

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $281,360 · excluded $281,360

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $207,761

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $73,110

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $134,651

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $3,881 · related or exempt $3,881

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $3,881

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $183,047 · program services $119,853 · management and general $35,988 · fundraising $27,206

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $896,605 · program services $587,065 · management and general $176,279 · fundraising $133,261

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $115,893 · program services $87,795 · management and general $16,290 · fundraising $11,808

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $84,311 · program services $55,258 · management and general $16,486 · fundraising $12,567

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $33,280 · program services $11,842 · management and general $19,769 · fundraising $1,669

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $21,543 · program services $7,666 · management and general $12,797 · fundraising $1,080

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $49,882 · program services $41,277 · management and general $6,708 · fundraising $1,897

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $109,014 · program services $86,328 · management and general $15,856 · fundraising $6,830

  • 17 · Travel

    total $10,320 · program services $10,239 · management and general $78 · fundraising $3

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $3,530 · program services $2,130 · management and general $1,400

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $91,108 · program services $78,064 · management and general $7,959 · fundraising $5,085

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $29,868 · program services $16,614 · management and general $11,760 · fundraising $1,494

  • 24a · Other expenses: LIVING AIDS

    total $157,722 · program services $153,483 · management and general $2,931 · fundraising $1,308

  • 24b · Other expenses: OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS

    total $112,767 · program services $98,442 · management and general $9,248 · fundraising $5,077

  • 24c · Other expenses: INVESTMENT FEES

    total $80,755 · program services $80,755

  • 24d · Other expenses: CLIENT SERVICES

    total $40,788 · program services $38,936 · fundraising $1,852

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $60,455 · program services $56,588 · management and general $2,339 · fundraising $1,528

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $498,500 · end of year $339,164

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $238,348 · end of year $273,305

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $73,123 · end of year $72,510

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $58,980 · end of year $29,954

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $52,585 · end of year $51,191

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $38,044 · end of year $86,093

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $5,251,732

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $2,536,111

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $2,210,653 · end of year $2,715,621

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $9,584,883 · end of year $15,980,792

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $5,553,860 · end of year $763,844

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $102,059 · end of year $143,597

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $27,326 · end of year $23,466

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $21,152 · end of year $19,256

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $17,257,101 · end of year $19,146,664

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $901,338 · end of year $979,491

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

THE SOCIETY ENHANCES INDEPENDENCE, EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS AND ENRICHES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE ST. LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES TO INDIVIUDALS (GENERALLY INDIVIDUALS 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER) WHO HAVE VISION LOSS.

  • VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES: INDIVIDUALIZED VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND DUE TO MACULAR DEGENERATION, DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, GLAUCOMA, CATARACT, TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURY AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. REHABILITATIVE NEEDS ADDRESSED INCLUDE HOW TO BEST USE REMAINING VISION; ADAPTIVE DAILY LIVING SKILLS TRAINING; PREVENTION OF INJURIES; EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION; AND FAMILY SUPPORT. GROUP SERVICES ADDRESS PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL ISOLATION ISSUES AFFECTING AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO LIVE IN A SAFE, HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT MANNER. THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE REFERRED BY THEIR OPHTHALMOLOGIST OR OTHER EYE CARE SPECIALIST AND MANY ARE DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE EYE CONDITIONS. INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES FROM THE SOCIETY'S STATE OR NATIONALLY CERTIFIED AND/OR LICENSED LOW VISION THERAPISTS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST, ORIENTATION & MOBILITY SPECIALISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND OTHER RELATED PROFESSIONALS. INDIVIDUALIZED REHABILITATIVE TRAINING, VARIOUS AIDS, EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, TECHNOLOGY AND ADAPTIVE TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO ASSIST IN ADJUSTING TO VISION LOSS OR BLINDNESS IN ORDER TO RESTORE OR MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY LIVING ACTIVITES. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE SOCIETY'S OFFICES AND IN-HOME. BECAUSE MOST INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THEIR VISION LOSS, THE SOCIETY OFFICES ARE PURPOSELY LOCATED ALONG KEY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ROUTES. IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETY PROVIDES TRANSPORTAION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ALL INDIVIDUALS, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, HAVE ACCESS TO INDIVIDUALIED VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES. BECAUSE MOST VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES AND LOW VISION AIDS ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR MEDICARE, CARE SERVICES, DEVICES OR OTHER VISION REHBILITATION AIDS CAN BE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS AT REDUCED COST IF THERE IS AN INABILITY TO PAY.

    Expenses $465,523 · Revenue $114,379

  • THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO THE AGENCY ARE EXPERIENCING VISION LOSS DUE TO AN AGE-RELATED OR HEREDITARY EYE CONDITION. THROUGH A LOW VISION CLINIC (DREWS LOW VISION CLINIC) AND LOW VISION SERVICES, EVALUATIONS ARE PROVIDED BY A LICENSED DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY AND CERTIFIED LOW VISION THERAPIST OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. FUNCTIONAL EYE EXAMS, ADAPTIVE AIDS AND EQUIPMENT ADDRESS WAYS TO BEST UTILIZE REMAINING VISION. THESE ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN COMPLETING DAILY LIVING TASKS INCLUDING MANAGMENT OF TAKING MEDICATION, READING, AND WATCHING TELEVISION. OVER 200 DIFFERENT LOW VISION AIDS ARE AVAILABE AND ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS AT NO CHARGE IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD SUCH DEVICES. AN EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE OF THOSE UNABLE TO AFFORD RECOMMENDED LOW VISION EQUIPMENT. IN-HOME FOLLOW UP BY THE LOW VISION THERAPIST OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST PROVIDES REHABILITATIVE LOW VISION TRAINING AND ENSURES THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BEST USE RECOMMENDED LOW VISION EQUIPMENT/AIDS. TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED TO ANY INDIVIDUAL NEEDING HELP IN GETTING TO THE DREWS LOW VISION CLINIC.

    Expenses $659,517 · Revenue $162,044

  • PROVIDING SPEAKERS, LITERATURE, SEMINARS AND OTHER PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES TO COMMUNITY GROUPS; PUBLICATIONS AND DISSEMINATION OF MATERIALS FOCUSED ON HUMAN INTEREST STORIES, VISION LOSS AND DIFFERENT EYE CONDITIONS; SIGHTED, BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED VOLUNTEERS ASSIST THE AGENCY AND THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

    Expenses $407,295 · Revenue $100,072

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Sharon Mertzlufft

    PRESIDENT AN

    Total calculated
    $192,297
    From this org
    $183,047
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,250
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $183,047
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $9,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,515
    Filer's total
    $192,297

  • James C Bobrow

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Pamela Boone

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Joseph Brinker

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Gerald Brooks

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Alice Conway

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Bing Dempewolf

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Kimberly White Drost

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Beverley Foster

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • John C Galanis

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Humeyra Karacal

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Elizabeth Kauffman

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Michael McKinnis

    ASSISTANT TR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • David Morris

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Bob Neu

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Merrica Schell

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Bradley Smith

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Erin Cleary Sullivan

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Vyas Suresh

    ASSISTANT SE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Kenneth Tabb

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Paul Tesser

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Douglas Tracy

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

None.

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
1 July 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.0
Source object
202602019349300615

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