Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i)Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| Total | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any unusual grants.) .... | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10. | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2015 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2015 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 |
||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2015 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2015: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2010 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2015 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2015, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
||||
|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2015. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2016. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c Excess from 2013....... | ||||
| d From 2014....... | ||||
| e From 2015....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | 15000324 |
| Software Version: | 2015v2.0 |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Schedule E, Line 6 - Explanation of Aid or Assistance from Governmental Agency | Our financial assistance comprises an appropriation from the State of California which reimburses Braille Institute for a portion of the operating expenses of the Library Services, and grant award by the US Department of Education in supporting Braille literacy development. This appropriation has been awarded annually. |
| Schedule E, Line 3 - Racially Nondiscriminatory Policy Publicized | The organization has no set periods of solicitation or registration. Nevertheless, its policy was published in newspapers serving, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties in November,2015. |
| Schedule E, Line 4 - Explanation of Records and Materials Not Maintained | Part 1, 4b - Is not applicable to Braille Institute of America, Inc. |
| Schedule E, Line 5 - Explanation of Organization Discrimination by Race |
| Software ID: | 15000324 |
| Software Version: | 2015v2.0 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Client Note 1 | Client Note 1 - Braille Institute of America, Inc.Employer I.D.# 95-1641426Attachment to (Form Number 990 Part III - Line 1) for Tax year 2015What is the Organization's primary exempt purpose?Braille Institute of America, Inc. was founded in 1919 in Los Angeles, California and is now one of the largest and most comprehensive blind services organizations in the country. The Institute's mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. In addition to operating a nationally recognized library serving the blind and physically disabled, we offer braille publishing services, child development services, youth independence-building programs, low vision rehabilitation services, adult educational classes, and we are a leader in the promotion of braille literacy throughout the United States. Services are available through our Los Angeles headquarters; 4 regional centers in Anaheim, Rancho Mirage, San Diego and Santa Barbara; and through more than 250 community outreach locations throughout Southern California. A nonprofit organization, Braille Institute is operated and funded almost entirely through private donations. To achieve our mission, we provide free programs and services that help children and adults who are blind or visually impaired to gain adaptive living skills and build self-confidence so that they may live independent and satisfying lives. Part III - Line 4a:A. Through Braille Institute's Educational Services: 1,938 blind and visually impaired adults were enrolled in center-based classes, receiving instruction in independent living skills, home management and cooking, creative arts and access technology; 807 adults received Orientation and Mobility training; 2,840 blind and visually impaired adults were enrolled in Community Outreach classes that took place in 259 locations throughout Southern California and received instruction in basic skills for people with sight loss; 193 Youth (ages 6-18) built daily living skills through guided instruction to meet individual performance goals.B. Braille Institute's Child Development Services for blind and visually impaired infants and young children ages 0-5 provided in-home early interventions and preschool assistance to 386 families. C. The Braille Challenge, a national braille literacy program of Braille Institute that tests children's braille-reading skills through a rigorous competition, served 1,122 children and youth between the ages of 6-18.D. Braille Institute provided 3,272 free low vision consultations at our five Regional Centers, through our Mobile Solutions program which utilizes specially outfitted vehicles, and through appointments in the field.Part III - Line 4b:Braille Institute's national award-winning Library Services provide brailled and audio books by mail, offering patrons access to more than 93,973 titles. It is the largest single service Braille Institute offers. In 2015/2016 our Library Services served 30,592 registered readers who are blind, visually impaired or physically disabled. As one of the largest National Library Service (NLS) chartered libraries in the country, we circulated 931,146 library materials last year. Braille Institute's comprehensive Library Services are available through the main library in our Los Angeles headquarters, branch libraries in each of our Regional Centers (Anaheim, Rancho Mirage, San Diego and Santa Barbara), and 1,491 deposit libraries located in community centers, convalescent hospitals and public libraries throughout Southern California.Part III - Line 4c:Braille Institute's Braille Publishing Department produced 1,060,411 brailled pages. There were 5,015 subscriptions to our braille publications for blind and visually impaired individuals. The publication programs include "Special Collection" for children and teens and "Partners in Literacy" for teachers. Schedule-BFor privacy purposes we elected to attach the schedule B as a PDF file rather than manually file it. Please see the attached PDF document. This statement is not open for public inspection. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 6: Explanation of Classes of Members or Shareholder | The Institute is a non-stock, nonprofit corporation with members, no shareholders. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process | The Audit Committee reviews and approves the Corporation's Form 990 prior to its filing each year with the Internal Revenue Service. More specifically, staff prepares a final copy of the Form 990 which is reviewed by an external accounting firm before it is finalized for review by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee then meets to review and discuss the Form 990. The Audit Committee then approves the Form 990 before it is filed with the IRS. The Audit Committee consists of directors and one non-director. Additionally, Management and all Board Members of the Institute are provided the Form 990 prior to its filing with the IRS. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts | All of the Institute's directors and officers, i.e. the governing body, are required annually to sign the Braille Institute of America, Inc.'s Conflict of Interest Policy. The policy states that these individuals "should avoid placing themselves in positions in which their personal interests are, or may be, in conflict with the interests of Braille Institute," and continues on to provide certain guidelines on which to consider actual or potential conflict situations. The policy requires directors and officers to disclose, to the best of their knowledge, any of these interests. "In the event of an actual conflict of interest, the Board shall investigate the material facts and the affected director's, officer's or key employee's interest in the transaction or activity. * * * * After the Board's investigation is concluded, the Board shall vote on whether to authorize or approve or disapprove of the conflict of interest, excluding the vote of the interested director. If a Board vote is not reasonably practicable, a committee of three (3) directors appointed by the Board or Executive Committee may conduct the investigation and report to the Board at the Board's next meeting whereupon the Board will vote on the conflict of interest, excluding the vote of the interested director." The individual signing the policy is taking responsibility to adhere to the Conflict of Interest Policy, which includes notifying the Board if he/she becomes aware of any actual or potential conflict situation. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees | According to the Institute's bylaws, "The Executive Compensation Committee shall review the performance and compensation of all officers and make recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation of said officers." In compliance with these bylaws,the Executive Compensation Committee meets annually to review the performance and compensation of not only the President but other top management officials. The Committee met in December of 2015 to determine the compensation for the top management officials of the Institute. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available | The Institute makes the annual Audited Financial Statements available to the public by posting the published document on its website, www.brailleinstitute.org. The completed final Form 990 is available for public inspection through the Braille Institute, Guide star and Foundation Directory websites. Additionally, the Institute's governing documents, the annual Audited Financial Statements and the Conflict of Interest Policy are available by written request and free of charge. If ever an inspection at an office of the Institute ensues, all such documents will be promptly provided upon request within a reasonable time.Form 990, Part VI, Line 1a.- Composition of the Executive Committee The organization does maintain an Executive Committee consisting of the Board Chair and chairs of the Audit, Finance, Governance, and Philanthropy committees. All members of the Executive Committee are directors. The Committee has all the powers of the Board except the power to fill Board vacancies and amend the bylaws.Form 990, Schedule J, Part III - Supplemental InformationCertain employees are covered by a defined benefit plan but no additions to future accruals have been made since the plan was frozen to future benefit accruals effective January 1, 2008. |
| Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases | Change in Pension Liability = -$2932951 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases | Changes in split - interest = -$434453 |
| Software ID: | 15000324 |
| Software Version: | 2015v2.0 |