Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 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 |
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Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | ||||||
| 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) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (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) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (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) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (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) |
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| 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) |
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| 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 0.015 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 0.035 | 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 | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2020 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2019 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2020: | ||||
| a From 2015....... | ||||
| b From 2016....... | ||||
| c From 2017....... | ||||
| d From 2018....... | ||||
| e From 2019....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2015 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2020 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2020, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2020. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2021. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | 20011551 |
| Software Version: | 2020v4.0 |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Schedule E, Line 3 - Racially Nondiscriminatory Policy Publicized | The organization has no set periods of solicitation or registration. Nevertheless, its policy is posted on its website. |
| Schedule E, Line 4 - Explanation of Records and Materials Not Maintained | Part 1, 4b - Is not applicable to Braille Institute of America, Inc.All instruction is provided free of charge. |
| Schedule E, Line 5 - Explanation of Organization Discrimination by Race | |
| 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. This appropriation has been awarded annually. |
| Software ID: | 20011551 |
| Software Version: | 2020v4.0 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| 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 2020What is the Organization's primary exempt purpose?Braille Institute of America, Inc., was founded in 1919 in Los Angeles, California, and is one of the largest and most comprehensive blind services organizations in the country. The Institutes mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. In addition to operating a nationally recognized Library for patrons who are blind or print 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 North America. Services are available through our Los Angeles headquarters and six regional centers: Anaheim, Coachella Valley, Laguna Hills, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. A nonprofit organization, Braille Institute is operated and funded almost entirely through private donations. In a year of social distancing and quarantines, staying connected was especially important. While Braille Institute could not hold in-person classes due to the pandemic, we pivoted so programs and services could be delivered remotely, continuously and free of charge. Students, clients, and families received support and stayed connected from the comfort and safety of their homes. It was remarkable to see the resilience, enthusiasm, and positivity demonstrated by our entire community.We continued to 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 Institutes Educational Services, 1,241 adults who are blind or visually impaired attended online group classes, receiving instruction in independent living skills, home management, cooking, and creative arts; 428 adults received Orientation & Mobility training; 1,510 adults participated in online public education seminars and workshops; 173 participated in professional training programs; and 153 adults received one-on-one instruction in areas where they needed extra help.B.Braille Institutes Youth program helped 117 young people (ages 7-19) build independent living skills through guided instruction to meet individual performance goals. C.Braille Institutes Child Development program for blind and visually impaired children ages birth to 6 provided remote one-on-one services online and over the phone to 167 children and their families.D.Braille Institutes Low Vision Rehabilitation Services staff from our seven centers provided 1,651 one-on-one consultations to 961 adults. E.Braille Institutes Connection Pointe staff from our seven centers provided 3,315 one-on-one training sessions via telephone and online in the use of mainstream devices with adaptive features and specialized technologies designed for people with a vision impairment to 829 adults. F.Braille Institutes award-winning national Braille Challenge competition, which tests braille competency skills, reached 738 students in grades 1-12. Our national Cane Quest orientation & mobility competition reached 176 students in grades 3-12. G.Due to COVID-19, programs and services were provided over the phone and via telephone, Microsoft Teams, email, and YouTube instructional videos. All services were provided free of charge.Part III - Line 4b:Braille Institutes award-winning Library is the official Southern California branch of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a division of the Library of Congress. With a collection of more than 110,000 book titles in digital cartridge, braille, electronic, and large print formats, the Library is Braille Institutes largest department and most-used service. This year we served 9,055 direct Library patrons and 7,950 patrons were served by our partner institutions. 547,888 books were circulated. Braille Institutes comprehensive Library Services are available through the main library in our Los Angeles headquarters and through our six centers (Anaheim, Coachella Valley, Laguna Hills, Riverside, San Diego and Santa Barbara) and through more than 1,300 partner institutions, which include senior living residents, public schools and public libraries across the 10 counties of Southern California. Part III - Line 4c:Braille Institute's Special Collection this past year, the program had 7,632 subscribers. There were 3,370 "Dots for Tots" storybook kits (for pre-school children ages 2-5) mailed free to subscribers. |
| 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 accountants at Braille prepare and review an initial draft Form 990, which is reviewed by an external accounting firm before it is finalized for review by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will then meet to review and discuss the Form 990. The Audit Committee approves the Form 990 before it is filed with the IRS. The Audit Committee consists of directors and one non-director. The final draft of the 990 is provided to the Braille board members and management 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,X 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 | The Executive Compensation Committee shall review the performance and compensation of the President, Chief Financial Officer and other executives, as deemed appropriate, and make recommendations to the board as such. Accordingly, 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 June 2021 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, GuideStar 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 four other board members. 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. |
| Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases | Change in Split-Interest = -$220707 |
| Software ID: | 20011551 |
| Software Version: | 2020v4.0 |