Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Guiding Eyes for the Blind meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 2
The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 2
The organization did not address the complaint issues brought to its attention: 0
The complaints involved individuals seeking to be removed from mailing lists.
Stated Purpose:
"to provide guide dogs to people with vision loss."
Year, State Incorporated:
1954, NY
Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB) connects dogs with individuals for greater independence. Professional instructors offer on-campus and at-home training to individuals. Specialized programs include matching guide dogs with veterans and people who are deafblind. GEB reports that dogs are specially bred and prepared for their roles, and the dogs, instruction, veterinary care, and support are provided free of charge. Some ($1,841,513 or 7%) of GEB's programs are conducted in conjunction with informational materials that include fundraising appeals.
For the year ended September 30, 2024, Guiding Eyes for the Blind's program expenses were:
Guide dog training and student services: $10,429,640
Residential and graduate services: $2,057,226
Veterinary hospital and kennel: $9,815,957
Canine breeding: $914,863
Facilities management: $1,425,464
Enrichment and education: $1,841,513
Total Program Expenses: $26,484,663
Chief Executive
Thomas Panek, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$507,839
Chair of the Board
John L. Donnelly
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired Vice Chairman, JPMorgan Chase
Board Size
17
Paid Staff Size
156
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Print advertisements
GEB incurred joint costs of $6,240,253 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs, $4,398,740 was allocated to fundraising expenses and $1,841,513 was allocated to program expenses.
Fundraising costs were 20% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $42,240,895, 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 Guiding Eyes for the Blind's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $24,347,717 |
| Bequests | $17,791,875 |
| Special events, net | $101,303 |
| Investment income, net | $14,232,268 |
| Other income | $648,068 |
| Total Income | $57,121,231 |
Programs: 73% Fundraising: 23% Administrative: 3%
| Total Income | $57,121,231 |
| Total expenses: | $36,058,205 |
| Program expenses | $26,484,663 |
| Fundraising expenses | $8,391,899 |
| Administrative expenses | $1,181,643 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $21,063,026 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $113,083,938 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $378,752 |
| Ending Net Assets | $134,525,716 |
| Total Liabilities | $4,424,688 |
| Total Assets | $138,950,404 |
Note 1: According to GEB, in the year ended September 30, 2024, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $55,229 in the form of transportation and lodging ($22,758), telephone and utilities ($12,096), veterinarian fees and supplies ($7,759), dog food and supplies ($6,541), and office expenses ($6,075).
Note 2: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to a gain on disposal of fixed assets.
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 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 International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Review in Progress
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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance