2023-11-15T10:58:19-06:00 2023-06-30 366055558 GRANT THORNTON LLP 75 STATE ST 13th FLOOR BOSTON MA 02109 990 2022-07-01 951641426 BRAILLE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA INC BRAI 3236631111 741 N VERMONT AVENUE LOS ANGELES CA 90029 DEBRA MARTIN CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 3236631111 2023-11-15 1 DEBRA MARTIN XXX-XX-XXXX 0 Erin Couture P01390592 6177237900 0 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z JAMES P KALES 741 N VERMONT AVENUE LOS ANGELES CA 90029 34767197 0 X WWW.BRAILLEINSTITUTE.ORG X 1961 CA To eliminate barriers caused by blindness and severe sight loss. 14 14 218 314 0 0 17762790 13942978 0 0 17136932 11101458 2777101 4537645 37676823 29582081 0 0 0 0 13797638 14586292 105500 108000 3390383 7445603 8920269 21348741 23614561 16328082 5967520 250513312 267484419 7530586 5958002 242982726 261526417 X To eliminate barriers caused by blindness and severe sight loss. Continued in Schedule O 0 0 13078278 (SEE SCHEDULE O)A. Through Braille Institute's Educational Services, 1,381 adults, ages 18 and older, participated in more than 71,000 hours of group classes in two core areas: 1) Daily Living Skills, which teaches adaptive techniques for completing everyday tasks that are critical to staying independent and maintaining quality of life, and 2) Arts & Healthy Living classes that support emotional and mental well-being. These include exercise, art, fall prevention, diabetic management, book clubs, discussion groups, and more. 1,739 additional adults (including Braille Institute students, low vision professionals, and other community members) attended a variety of seminars, workshops, and professional trainings. Our O&M specialists provided 4,297 one-on-one training sessions to 741 adults on how to prevent falls and safely navigate their environment using a white cane and sensory awareness. Our Independent Living Skills Instructors provided one-on-one instruction to 250 adults on adaptive techniques for completing routine tasks in the home on their own.B. Braille Institute's Youth Program helped 83 young people (ages 7-19) cultivate self-confidence, independence, and set goals for the future.C. Braille Institute's Child Development program for blind and visually impaired children (ages birth to 6) provided one-on-one services to 183 children and their families.D. Braille Institute's Low Vision Rehabilitation Occupational Therapists provided 4,437 one-on-one consultations to 1,850 adults.E. Braille Institute's Connection Pointe staff provided 3,964 one-one-one training sessions in the use of mainstream devices with adaptive features and specialized technologies designed for people with a vision impairment to 1,128 students.F. Braille Institute's award-winning national Braille Challenge competition, which tests braille competency skills, reached 853 students in grades 1-12. Our national orientation & mobility competition, Cane Quest, reached around 284 students in grades 3-12. 3056804 (SEE SCHEDULE O)Braille Institute's 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 115,000 book titles in digital cartridge, braille, electronic, and large print formats, the Library is Braille Institute's most used service. This year we served 11,616 patrons. In addition to checking out 985,828 digital and braille books, Library patrons received one-on-one training in the use of accessible reading technologies. Braille Institute's 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 partner institutions, which include senior living residences, public schools, and public libraries across the ten counties of Southern California. 1154802 (SEE SCHEDULE O)Braille Institute's Special Collection had 8,351 subscribers this year. Program staff produced and distributed 1,493 "Dots for Tots" braille storybook kits (for preschool children ages 2-5) free to subscribers. 17289884 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 70 0 218 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 14 14 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL AK CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MI MN MS NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X JAMIE AUNG CONTROLLER 3236631111 741 N VERMONT AVENUE LOS ANGELES CA 90029 James J Rhodes Chairman 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 George E Thomas Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Patricia Bramhall Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Michael C Corley Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jeanne Olenicoff Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 James H Jackson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Linda A Lam Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Richard A Nelson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 William J Link Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Percy Duran III Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John G Nuanes Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Harvey Strode Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Diane Wilkinson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lester M Sussman Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Peter Mindnich President 38.00 0.00 X 453334 0 54374 Reza Rahman CFO 38.00 0.00 X 225146 0 46600 Anthony Taketa Secretary 38.00 0.00 X 223860 0 43197 James Kales Chief Executive Officer (From 12/22) 1.00 0.00 X 26113 0 1045 Gary Jimenez VP Development 38.00 0.00 X 227609 0 30092 Lisa Jimenez VP Program & Serv. 38.00 0.00 X 177031 0 23702 Sergo Oilva Alfaro VP Program & Serv. 38.00 0.00 X 173163 0 21125 Sandy Shin VP Marketing & Communication 38.00 0.00 X 180688 0 58686 Maria Valdivia VP Technology 38.00 0.00 X 170792 0 23608 Dhaval Shah Director of IT 38.00 0.00 X 143389 0 27218 Jamie Aung Controller 38.00 0.00 X 143745 0 26303 Cindy Chan Director Planned Giving 38.00 0.00 X 145902 0 17655 2290772 0 373605 20 0 1 0 AB Data LTD 600 AB Data Drive Milwaukee WI 53217 Direct Mail Services 711977 Humanware USA Inc PO Box 71117 Chicago IL 606971117 Reader & Stream Services 486940 Stonecrest CA Owner LLC Dept LA 22269 Pasadena CA 911852269 Rental Services 235448 Olympic Maintenance CO 12030 Clarkson Road Los Angeles CA 90064 Cleaning Services 233780 SDHR Consulting 7040 Avenida Encinas 3104-41 Carlsbad CA 92011 Recruiting Services 231011 16 3640 747500 13191838 10738 13942978 4962641 4962641 4156108 4156108 286264 0 286264 286264 286264 11282349 9893 5142688 10737 6139661 -844 6138817 -844 6139661 82149 3640 31691 50458 50458 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 44815 44815 44815 29582081 -844 0 15639947 1781200 407954 974783 398463 10076037 8288598 517262 1270177 614944 500440 38813 75691 1244351 956910 138144 149297 869760 638876 106169 124715 159116 159116 65810 65810 108000 108000 28122 28122 967196 390075 549424 27697 135909 99519 28423 7967 432668 325523 74885 32260 1895845 1791854 73410 30581 198888 89423 58943 50522 1136796 1096494 22144 18158 291177 267884 14559 8734 EQUIP & FACILITY MAINT 1342048 1200627 67114 74307 DIRECT MAIL 989560 989560 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 465765 465347 418 INSTRUCTIONAL PRGM SUPP 387783 387783 423586 382577 17173 23836 23614561 17289884 2934294 3390383 475555 2018150 902877 561757 50847 38741 26676 43243 33195 31318 163898 210746 61666893 39365056 22370538 22301837 220696854 237198495 1296003 865294 4496869 4214838 250513312 267484419 3327094 2619818 4203492 3338184 7530586 5958002 X 201263925 219038034 41718801 42488383 242982726 261526417 250513312 267484419 X 5967520 12434077 142094 X 0 1 X 1 0 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 29456259 5483 129226 29590968 29685410 25018 -254169 29456259 29249471 59514 376425 29685410 29312902 25025 -88456 29249471 29169692 121470 21740 29312902 1.00000 0 0 53883 6228498 6282381 37715256 25788307 11926949 5627693 3078438 2549255 12041563 10498311 1543252 22301837 GIFT ANNUITY LIABILITIES 1879583 PRESENT VALUE OF LEASE LIABILITY 1458601 3338184 X 42016158 12434077 12434077 29582081 0 29582081 23756655 142094 142094 23614561 0 23614561 Part V, Line 4: These are net assets resulting from contributions and other inflows of assets whose use by the Institute is limited by donor-imposed stipulations. All permanently restricted net assets are available for endowment. The ending balance on part V, Line 1g excludes $2.2 million of interest & earnings and investment appreciation, which is released to Temporarily Restricted funds, to provide specific program support to improve the lives of blind or visually impaired people. Part X, Line 2: The Institute follows guidance that clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, including issues relating to financial statement recognition and measurement. This guidance provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements if the position is "more-likely-than-not" to be sustained if the position were to be challenged by a taxing authority. The assessment of the tax position is based solely on the technical merits of the position, without regard to the likelihood that the tax position may be challenged. The Institute was organized pursuant to the General Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of California. The Institute is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, though it is subject to tax on income unrelated to its exempt purpose, unless that income is otherwise excluded by the Code. The Institute has also been recognized by the California Franchise Tax Board as an organization that is exempt from California franchise and income taxes under Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. The Institute has processes presently in place to ensure the maintenance of its tax-exempt status; to identify and report unrelated income; to determine its filing and tax obligations in jurisdictions for which it has nexus; and to identify and evaluate other matters that may be considered tax positions. The Institute has determined that there are no material uncertain tax positions that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Change in Split-Interest -- $142,094 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Schedule E, Part I, Line 3 The organization has not set periods of solicitation or registration. Nevertheless, its Non-Discrimination Statement is posted on its website. Schedule E, Part I, Line 4 Part I, Line 4b is not applicable to Braille Institute of America, Inc. All instruction is provided free of charge. Schedule E, Part I, Line 6 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. Part I, Question 2 The organization is committed to a policy of racial nondiscrimination as evidenced by statements contained in its Articles of Incorporation, student handbook, employee handbook, and on the home page of its website. Given the extensive amount of written communication dealing with student admissions and programs, emanating from multiple centers and departments, not all written communications contain a statement of the organization's racially nondiscriminatory policy to which the organization remains deeply committed. X X X X X 1 AB Data LTD 600 AB Data Drive Milwaukee WI 53217 Direct Mail Consulting 0 924827 108000 816827 924827 108000 816827 AL AK AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MI MN MS NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI Dinner/Lunch 59747 3640 56107 11699 1294 2973 Dinner/Lunch 26042 26042 2712 5877 1500 5636 85789 3640 82149 2712 17576 2794 8609 31691 50458 Schedule G, Part I, Line 2b, Column (v) The Institute entered into separate agreements with A.B. Data LTD to cover professional fundraising services and professional fundraising expenses, such as printing, paper, envelopes and postage. Amounts calculated on Schedule G can be supported by the agreements and the expenses paid to A.B. Data LTD. X X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peter Mindnich President 450743 0 0 0 2591 0 20920 0 33454 0 507708 0 0 0 Reza Rahman CFO 223800 0 0 0 1346 0 15473 0 31127 0 271746 0 0 0 Anthony Taketa Secretary 222514 0 0 0 1346 0 15194 0 28003 0 267057 0 0 0 Gary Jimenez VP Development 227609 0 0 0 0 0 15357 0 14735 0 257701 0 0 0 Sandy Shin VP Marketing & Communication 179811 0 0 0 877 0 12296 0 46390 0 239374 0 0 0 Lisa Jimenez VP Program & Serv. 176154 0 0 0 877 0 11045 0 12657 0 200733 0 0 0 Maria Valdivia VP Technology 169446 0 0 0 1346 0 10523 0 13085 0 194400 0 0 0 Sergo Oilva Alfaro VP Program & Serv. 172959 0 0 0 204 0 10630 0 10495 0 194288 0 0 0 Dhaval Shah Director of IT 143083 0 0 0 306 0 8597 0 18621 0 170607 0 0 0 Jamie Aung Controller 142868 0 0 0 877 0 8530 0 17773 0 170048 0 0 0 Cindy Chan Director Planned Giving 145902 0 0 0 0 0 8375 0 9280 0 163557 0 0 0 Form 990, Part III, Line 1: Organization's Mission Braille Institute of America, Inc., was founded in 1919 in Los Angeles, California, and is one of the largest most comprehensive blind services organizations in the country. The organization's 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 through 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. We offer a hybrid service delivery model. Group engagements (classes/workshops) and one-on-one instruction are available both in-person and remotely. Students can choose the option that works best for them and their circumstances. Remote services have helped expand our overall reach, changing more lives for the better. All services are provided free of charge. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 1a 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. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 6 The Institute is a non-stock, nonprofit corporation with members, no shareholders. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 7a The members elect directors to serve on the Board of Directors, the Institute's governing body. Not all members are elected to the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b 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, Section B, line 12c 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, Section B, line 15 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 2023 to determine the compensation for the top management officials of the Institute. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 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 XI, line 9: Change in Split-Interest 142,094. Anita A Mackenzie Trust 201 S Lake Ave Suite 600 Pasadena CA 91101 946720255 Supporting Organization CA 501(c)(3) Line 12d, III-O N/A 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0