Cleveland Society for the Blind does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
CSB does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 10 (Ending Net Assets)
Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.
CSB does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2019, the organization's total unrestricted net assets minus restricted assets were $46,037,838, or 4.4 times the charity's total expenses of $10,371,824.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
CSB does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2021 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
- Did not break these program service expenses down by major program category including accessibility services, career opportunities, children and young adult services, education, healthcare professionals, independent living services, teachers and schools, outreach and education, self help groups, and training.
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Cleveland Society for the Blind meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Cleveland Society for the Blind (CSB) reports that it operates in Northeast Ohio to serve the needs of the blind and visually impaired population. The organization's programs include adaptive technology, career opportunities, educational programs, independent living services, and support programs. CSB states that it provides early intervention and other school services for children aged 3-5 in the organization's preschool and works with parents of children aged 0-3 to learn techniques to develop skills in communication, independence, and movement. The organization also provides casework and social services to assist clients in navigating various services to meet their needs. In 2019, CSB reports that it reached 11,617 clients via direct services and had 2,188 appointments at its Low Vision Clinic. In addition, the organization states that it provided 2,000 clients with casework and social services, provided 453 clients with rehabilitation services, and 50 clients with employment assistance.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Cleveland Society for the Blind's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$8,623,267 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$8,623,267 |
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 47% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,421,989 are donations received as a result of fundraising 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 Cleveland Society for the Blind's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Program service fees |
$4,055,196 |
| Contributions and grants |
$2,272,804 |
| Investment income, net |
$2,236,980 |
| Earnings from beneficial trusts |
$1,531,295 |
| Fundraising, net |
$149,185 |
| Retail sales, net |
$73,623 |
| Other revenue |
$59,193 |
| Total Income |
$10,378,276 |
- Programs: 84%
- Administrative: 11%
- Fundraising: 5%
| Total Income |
$10,378,276 |
| Program expenses |
$8,623,267 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$599,226 |
| Administrative expenses |
$1,149,331 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$10,371,824 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$6,452 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$96,369,221 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$13,032,324 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$109,407,997 |
| Total Liabilities |
$949,096 |
| Total Assets |
$110,357,093 |
Note: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to net unrealized gain on equity securities ($10,782,181), change in value of beneficial trusts ($2,169,933), net unrealized gain on debt securities ($512,718), gain on disposal of assets ($8,350), change in value of annuity agreements (-$43,007), and depreciation expense (-$397,851).