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Nonprofiteer
← FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN.

Totals

Total revenue
$14,616,865
Total expenses
$13,762,622
Contributions and grants received
$4,191,582
Grants paid
$316,304
Program service revenue
$10,074,106
Investment income
$437,059
Other revenue
-$85,882
Total assets, end of year
$31,740,829
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,261,573
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$30,479,256
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$11,689,429
Management and general expenses
$1,373,742
Fundraising expenses
$699,451
Program service expenses (Part III)
$11,689,429

Program services were 84.9% 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.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $38,348

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $304,044

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,651,241

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $2,197,949

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $22,723

  • 2a · Program service revenue: PROGRAM SERVICE FEES

    total $10,074,106 · related or exempt $10,074,106

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $449,402 · excluded $449,402

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    other assets $198,461

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

    other assets $210,804

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    other assets -$12,343

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$12,343 · excluded -$12,343

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $43,916

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $304,044

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $155,182

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$111,266 · excluded -$111,266

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $85,950

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $84,115

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $1,835 · related or exempt $1,835

  • 11a · Other revenue: RENTAL - LOW VISION CLINIC

    total $23,000 · related or exempt $23,000

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $549 · excluded $549

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $23,549

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $316,304 · program services $316,304

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $430,328 · management and general $347,942 · fundraising $82,386

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $7,168,754 · program services $6,304,223 · management and general $531,674 · fundraising $332,857

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $297,441 · program services $240,320 · management and general $49,006 · fundraising $8,115

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $812,865 · program services $724,758 · management and general $44,819 · fundraising $43,288

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $562,821 · program services $474,982 · management and general $58,631 · fundraising $29,208

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $1,796 · management and general $1,796

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $50,505 · management and general $50,505

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $71,800 · management and general $71,800

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $811,910 · program services $625,530 · management and general $69,421 · fundraising $116,959

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $19,391 · fundraising $19,391

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $191,100 · program services $150,600 · management and general $12,739 · fundraising $27,761

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $292,832 · program services $256,435 · management and general $32,413 · fundraising $3,984

  • 17 · Travel

    total $94,940 · program services $93,956 · management and general $561 · fundraising $423

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $254,013 · program services $244,957 · management and general $7,991 · fundraising $1,065

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,644,294 · program services $1,594,335 · management and general $39,372 · fundraising $10,587

  • 24a · Other expenses: SUPPLIES & LIBRARY BOOK

    total $594,823 · program services $573,077 · management and general $6,876 · fundraising $14,870

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $95,666 · program services $67,906 · management and general $20,054 · fundraising $7,706

  • 24c · Other expenses: EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & RE

    total $46,643 · program services $22,046 · management and general $23,746 · fundraising $851

  • 24d · Other expenses: BAD DEBT EXPENSE

    total $4,000 · management and general $4,000

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $396 · management and general $396

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,764,180 · end of year $2,687,159

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,710,767 · end of year $5,757,258

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $324,560 · end of year $217,100

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,802,696 · end of year $2,145,789

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $8,902 · end of year $15,469

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $111,645 · end of year $182,530

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

    $19,533,580

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

    $8,026,243

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $11,934,121 · end of year $11,507,337

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $6,023,608 · end of year $6,854,454

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $2,240,829 · end of year $2,338,537

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $35,593 · end of year $35,196

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,042,505 · end of year $1,208,703

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $403,348 · end of year $49,503

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $6,704 · end of year $3,367

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $22,076,264 · end of year $23,169,400

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $6,428,080 · end of year $7,309,856

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, TOOLS AND SERVICES THAT ENABLE ALL PERSONS WITH VISION LOSS TO ACHIEVE GREATER INDEPENDENCE. OUR VISION IS A WORLD WHERE VISION LOSS IS A DIAGNOSIS, NOT A DISABILITY. FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN VALUES EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, ADVOCACY, GREAT WORK ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, TOOLS AND SERVICES THAT ENABLE ALL PERSONS WITH VISION LOSS TO ACHIEVE GREATER INDEPENDENCE.

  • FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN'S SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM SERVES STUDENTS FROM PRE-K TO 4TH GRADE, TEACHING SKILLS ALIGNED WITH THE EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM. THIS ENABLES STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS TO ACCESS THE SAME CURRICULUM AS THEIR SIGHTED PEERS. OUR ABILITY-BASED CLASSROOMS INCLUDE RELATED SERVICES LIKE PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, AND SPEECH THERAPY.

    Expenses $4,445,845 · Revenue $3,703,181

  • FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN'S ITINERANT VISION TEACHERS TRAVEL THROUGHOUT MARICOPA COUNTY AND THE NAVAJO NATION IN NORTHERN ARIZONA, PROVIDING SUPPORT TO STUDENTS IN VARIOUS SETTINGS, INCLUDING PUBLIC, CHARTER, AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. THEY TEACH COMPENSATORY SKILLS LIKE BRAILLE, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY, PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. SHARP (SPORTS, HABILITATION, ARTS, AND RECREATION PROGRAM) IS ALSO A SUPPORT FOR OUR STUDENTS IN THE K-MIDDLE SCHOOL SETTING. SHARP PROGRAMMING PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO MEET OTHER PEERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS, LEARN INDEPENDENCE AND ADVOCACY SKILLS, EXPERIENCE ADAPTIVE RECREATION ACTIVITIES, AND ATTEND FIELD TRIPS AROUND THE COMMUNITY. OUR SHARP PROGRAM OFFERS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8. OUR EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES RESOURCES, SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UNDER THREE WHO HAVE VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS. WE OFFER WEEKLY PARENT MEET-UPS, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND SOCIAL EVENTS. OUR FAMILY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM EMPOWERS FAMILIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT.

    Expenses $1,937,899 · Revenue $1,315,930

  • FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN'S MEDIA CENTER MANUFACTURES AND DISTRIBUTES BRAILLE, LARGE-PRINT AND E-TEXT VERSIONS OF TEXTBOOKS AND CLASSROOM WORKSHEETS NATIONWIDE. SERVING OVER 1,000 REGISTERED USERS, FBC'S MEDIA CENTER IS THE LARGEST ALTERNATIVE FORMAT PROVIDER IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

    Expenses $2,452,552 · Grants $191,005 · Revenue $901,239

  • FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN'S ADULT SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES REHABILITATION AND TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS, AGES 14 AND UP, WHO ARE REGISTERED WITH ARIZONA VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION. WE SUPPORT TEENS TRANSITIONING TO WORK OR COLLEGE AND ADULTS SEEKING TO RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS ACHIEVE EMPLOYMENT. THE NEW HORIZONS PROGRAM SUPPORTS RETIREES EXPERIENCING VISION LOSS, OFFERING SUPPORT GROUPS, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING. THE SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING (CATT SW) IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND (APH) AND THE ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND, WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND, AND FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN. CATT PROVIDES ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING TO TEACHERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, UTILIZING A "TRAIN THE TRAINER" MODEL ON SPECIFIC APH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. WE SUPPORT ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, NEW MEXICO, UTAH, COLORADO, AND NEVADA. FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN OFFERS SERVICES AT A LOW VISION CLINIC WHICH MAXIMIZES THE REMAINING VISION OF A VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON. FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN CONTRACTS WITH A HIGHLY TRAINED, HIGHLY SPECIALIZED OPTOMETRIST TO CONDUCT THOROUGH EXAMINATIONS OF OUR PATIENTS, RANGING IN VARIOUS AGE, AND RECOMMENDS MAGNIFICATION DEVICES NECESSARY TO ACCESS INFORMATION AND LIVE INDEPENDENT LIVES. FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN'S NEW RESEARCH TEAM PUBLISHES CONTENT TO INFORM AND IMPROVE THE FIELD, WHILE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY'S TVI PROGRAM PROVIDES EXPERT INSTRUCTION TO FUTURE TEACHERS AND HOSTS STUDENT TEACHING AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES.

    Expenses $2,853,133 · Grants $125,299 · Revenue $4,178,591

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Mitchell Hanson

    BOARD PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Stephanie Howell

    BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Michael Darnall

    BOARD SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Lana Berry

    TREASURER (THROUGH 3/20/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Megan Stallone

    BOARD TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Kathy Mills

    IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Christy Atler

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Erika Brown

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Don Cuppy

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 3/20/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • David Duncan

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Kathleen Farrand

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • John Fetherston

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Norm Hall

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 3/20/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Joe Herrell

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Jamie Hillman

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Lizy Hoeffer

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Stephanie Ingersoll

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Chris Kirch

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Mary Anne Lachenmaier

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 3/20/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Devyani Lal

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Jennifer Maclennan

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Callie Maxwell

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Chris Meyers

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 3/20/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Terri Nigro

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Paul Nolde-Morrissey

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Steve Pope

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 3/20/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Moses Sanchez

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Allison Sheaves

    TRUSTEE (THROUGH 3/20/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Tom Whitten

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • Jared Kittelson

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $252,273
    From this org
    $191,538
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $60,735
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $163,882
    Bonus
    $27,656
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $48,750
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,985
    Filer's total
    $252,273
  • Marc Ashton

    CEO (THROUGH 6/28/24)

    Total calculated
    $481,177
    From this org
    $468,472
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,705
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $108,055
    Bonus
    $59,418
    Other
    $300,999
    Deferred
    $7,269
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,436
    Filer's total
    $481,177
  • Ronald Rosas

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $148,443
    From this org
    $110,337
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,106
    Hours/week
    35
  • Barbra Smith

    VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $182,060
    From this org
    $137,514
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,546
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $122,946
    Bonus
    $14,568
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $33,853
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,693
    Filer's total
    $182,060
  • Julie Oliver

    VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $174,513
    From this org
    $129,178
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,335
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $114,783
    Bonus
    $14,395
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $31,210
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,125
    Filer's total
    $174,513
  • Christopher Hawk

    DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    Total calculated
    $136,671
    From this org
    $118,316
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,355
    Hours/week
    35
  • Megan Matheis

    DIRECTOR OF EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

    Total calculated
    $125,446
    From this org
    $110,944
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,502
    Hours/week
    35
  • Joy Calles

    DIRECTOR OF PREK-12 SERVICES

    Total calculated
    $127,491
    From this org
    $115,119
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,372
    Hours/week
    35

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

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 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
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
COMPENSATION FOR THE CEO IS BASED ON COMPARABILITY DATA PROVIDED BY SURVEYS OF OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, BOTH LOCAL AND NATIONAL, AND REVIEWED BY THE PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. PROPOSED SALARY INCREASES ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESS IS DOCUMENTED AND THE DATE OF THE CEO'S LAST REVIEW WAS JUNE 2024 WITH A SCHEDULED NOVEMBER 2025 REVIEW DATE.
PART I, LINE 4B
JARED KITTELSON, $40,000 CONTRIBUTION TO A 457(F) PLAN IN DECEMBER 2024. THIS AMOUNT WAS BASED ON TERMS SET IN HIS DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT. JULIE OLIVER, $25,000 CONTRIBUTION TO A 457(F) PLAN IN DECEMBER 2024. THIS AMOUNT WAS BASED ON TERMS SET IN HER DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT. BARBRA SMITH, $25,000 CONTRIBUTION TO A 457(F) PLAN IN DECEMBER 2024. THIS AMOUNT WAS BASED ON TERMS SET IN HER DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT. RONALD ROSAS, $20,000 CONTRIBUTION TO A 457(F) PLAN IN DECEMBER 2024. THIS AMOUNT WAS BASED ON TERMS SET IN HIS DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT.
PART I, LINE 7
A DISCRETIONARY BONUS IS AWARDED TO THE CEO BASED UPON MEETING GOALS SET AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. DISCETIONARY BONUSES FOR OTHER TOP LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS ARE BASED ON MEETING GOALS.

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
2024
Filed
31 October 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202523049349301592

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