2016-01-11T08:59:38-08:00 2015-06-30 Grant Thornton LLP 515 S Flower Street 7th Floor Los Angeles CA 90071 990 2014-07-01 951641426 BRAILLE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA INC BRAI 3236631111 741 N VERMONT AVENUE LOS ANGELES CA 90029 Reza Rahman VP of Finance 2016-01-11 true Rosemarie Brown P01278077 2136271717 X 2014 2016-04-25 22:37:26Z Peter A Mindnich 33177666 false false X www.brailleinstitute.org X 1961 CA See Attached Statement 18 18 295 3207 0 12846868 18178839 0 3509159 5547815 4659991 3484729 21016018 27211383 0 0 15997178 16331859 102000 102000 3729921 9733511 9071108 25832689 25504967 -4816671 1706416 161666577 159987344 7734615 8821214 153931962 151166130 See Attached Statement false false 14553517 See Attached Statement Supplemental Information Page 1, Part III - Line 4a 3745006 See Attached Statement Supplemental Information Page 1, Part III - Line 4b 1107044 See Attached Statement Supplemental Information Page 2, Part III - Line 4c 19405567 true true false false false false false false false true true false false false true true false true true false false false false true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false true 125 0 true 295 true false false false false false false false false 0 false false false true false false false false false false X 18 18 false false false false true true false true true false true true true true true true true true true true true true AK AL AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY MA MD ME MI MN MS NC ND NH NJ NM NY OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WI WV X X X Jamie Aung Dirof FinServ 3236631111 741 NVermont Ave Los Angeles CA 90029 X George E Thomas Chair. 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 James J Rhodes 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 Nishan O Partamian Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Michael JD Lindsay Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John F Llewellyn Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Richard A Nelson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Philip V Swan Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Thomas K Callister Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Michael C Corley Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Caryl O Crahan Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Percy Duran III Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 David J Wiegand 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 Lester M Sussman Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Diane Wilkinson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Peter Mindnich President 38.00 0.00 X 273650 0 34496 David Burkhardt Vice President 38.00 0.00 X 190481 0 19682 Rezaur Rahman V.P of Finance 38.00 0.00 X 185245 0 38051 Anthony Taketa Corp.Secretary 38.00 0.00 X 176562 0 38793 Jon Hayashida Vice President 38.00 0.00 X 219594 0 36609 Gene Mathiowetz Vice President 38.00 0.00 X 139589 0 10484 Janice E Herzberg Assoct. V.P of H.R 38.00 0.00 X 123641 0 16400 Henry CChang Dir.of Library 38.00 0.00 X 123210 0 13957 Nancy Niebrugge Associate V.P 38.00 0.00 X 117740 0 21497 Mary Jacobson Sr.Dir.Inst Giving 38.00 0.00 X 110713 0 29942 Jamie Aung Dir.of Fin.Servc. 38.00 0.00 X 104405 0 20704 Leslie EStocker President/CYPT 38.00 0.00 X 166154 0 7804 Sally Jameson Vice President/CYPT 38.00 0.00 X 104133 0 4632 2035117 293051 14 true true false RobbinsKersten Direct 3400 Waterview Parkway Suite 250 Richardson TX 75080 Direct Mail Services 925046 CONVIO Inc 2000 Daniel Island Drive Chareston SC 29492 IT Services 263700 Element Vehicle Management Service LLC 16388 Collections Center Drive Chicago IL 60693 Vehicle Maint.Servc. 231686 Olympic Maintenance 12030 Clarkson Road LA CA 90064 Cleaning Services 208550 Holehouse Construction Company 33 West Micheltorena Santa Barbara CA 93101 Constraction Servc. 198676 11 876061 17302778 50974 18178839 0 2733166 2733166 0 3414387 3414387 70342 70342 70342 70342 8332163 448769 5585390 380893 2746773 67876 2814649 2814649 0 0 0 0 27211383 9032544 0 0 0 0 1416255 387634 703217 325404 0 10733977 8696035 708198 1329744 1265822 991432 111685 162705 2050701 1636601 134569 279531 865104 638926 102099 124079 0 61564 61564 76023 76023 0 102000 102000 44776 44776 611727 439237 147472 25018 0 170266 146856 5657 17753 359559 248278 46136 65145 0 1827072 1761918 38320 26834 0 0 178448 68541 75231 34676 0 0 1499931 1429880 39001 31050 279058 259524 11162 8372 Equipment/Facility Maintenance 1306025 1183151 52104 70770 Direct Mai1 991135 991135 Programs Transportation 456191 435022 11112 10057 Instructional Program Supplies 427307 427307 782026 655225 1153 125648 25504967 19405567 2369479 3729921 1482515 1657708 537848 3415325 318281 869349 200311 223070 0 0 0 44302 49477 62995 315411 77447884 45103276 32667317 32344608 123950405 118778213 0 0 0 2402603 2334183 161666577 159987344 3027739 4555266 4706876 4265948 7734615 8821214 X 126272032 122862805 14762158 15468407 12897772 12834918 153931962 151166130 161666577 159987344 X 1706416 -2803175 -1669073 X false true X true false X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 12897772 -62854 12834918 12729141 168631 12897772 12573667 80000 75474 12729141 12487257 126283 -39873 12573667 12247589 50000 189668 12487257 1.00000 false false false 92883 14834170 14927053 45038495 31577507 13460988 6026704 3341036 2685668 11353046 10184733 1168313 102586 102586 32344608 Gift Annuity Liabilities 4265948 4265948 X 23033314 -2803175 -1374894 -4178069 27211383 27211383 25799146 294179 294179 25504967 25504967 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. 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. Part X : FIN48 Footnote TaxesThe Institute was organized pursuant to the General Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of California. The Institute has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization that is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 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 and certain general county real and personal property taxes under Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. However, the Institute is subject to income taxes on any net income that is derived from a trade or business, regularly carried on, and not in furtherance of the purposes for which it was granted exemption. Since the Institute had no obligation for unrelated business income tax for the year ended June 30, 2015, no provisions for federal or state income taxes are required.Tax positions taken related to the Institute's tax exempt status, unrelated business activities taxable income and deductibility of expenses and other miscellaneous tax positions have been reviewed, and management is of the opinion that material positions taken by the Institute would more likely than not be sustained by examination. Accordingly, the Institute has not recorded an income tax liability for uncertain tax benefits as of June 30, 2015 and no material change is anticipated for the 12 months following June 30, 2015. As of June 30, 2015, the Institute's tax years ending June 30, 2010 through June 30, 2015 remain subject to examination. Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S Change in Split - Interest $294179 true true true true true true true false false false false false false false false true false true 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 October 2014. Schedule E, Line 4 - Explanation of Records and Materials Not Maintained Schedule E, Line 5 - Explanation of Organization Discrimination by Race X X X X X true RobbinsKersten D. Mail Consult false 1191872 102000 1089872 1191872 102000 1089872 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 WV WI Part I, Line 2b - Fundraiser Additional Information The Institute entered into separate agreements with RobbinsKersten Direct 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 RobbinsKersten Direct. X X X X X false false false false false false false false false false Anthony Taketa Corp.Secretary 175685 877 12521 26272 215355 David Burkhardt Vice President 189135 1346 12949 6733 210163 Gene Mathiowetz Vice President 138243 1346 8875 1609 150073 Jon Hayashida Vice President 218863 731 15721 20888 256203 Leslie EStocker President/CYPT 162430 3724 7804 173958 Peter Mindnich President 272304 1346 18520 15976 308146 Rezaur Rahman V.P of Finance 184368 877 13109 24942 223296 Sally Jameson Vice President/CYPT 101628 2505 4632 108765 X 1 6500 Selling Price X 10 44474 Market Value false true false 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 2014What 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 and recording 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 the Sight Center in Los Angeles; 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: 2,397 blind and visually impaired adults were enrolled in center-based classes, receiving instruction in independent living skills, orientation and mobility, home management and cooking, creative arts and access technology; 3,339 blind and visually impaired adults were enrolled in Community Outreach classes that took place in 250 locations throughout Southern California and received instruction in basic skills for people with sight loss; 335 Youth (ages 6-18) and 237 Young Adults (ages 19-30) built daily living and career readiness 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 310 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 1,106 children and youth between the ages of 6-18.D. Braille Institute provided 3,357 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 93,831 titles. It is the largest single service Braille Institute offers. In 2014/2015 our Library Services served 31,083 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 have circulated 943,050 library materials last year. Braille Institute's comprehensive Library Services are available through the main library in the Los Angeles Sight Center, branch libraries in each of our Regional Centers (Anaheim, Rancho Mirage, San Diego and Santa Barbara), and 1,446 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 874,689 brailled pages. There were 3,623 subscriptions to our braille publications for blind and visually impaired individuals. The children's publication programs include "Special Collection" and "Partners in Literacy." 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 2014 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 = -$1374894 Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases Changes in split - interest = -$294179