Visionsservices for the Blind and Visually Impaired

What it reported doing in 2024

Community services: visions served more than 8,000 individuals (including family members, caregivers, and professional organizations we have provided education to in the community). This included more than 6,375 unduplicated individuals through community-based services, promoting independence through vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, vocational training, community engagement, and caregiver support servicescore rehabilitation services included vision rehabilitation therapy, orientation and mobility, social work counseling, low vision therapy, occupational therapy, referrals to low vision doctors, in-home and community-based instruction, youth services, work readiness, job placement, diagnostic vocational evaluations, and unpaid caregiver support services. These services helped children, youth, adults, older adults, and caregivers build practical skills, safety, confidence, and community connection.the outreach department educated or trained more than 4,600 individuals about vision loss. Outreach and services were provided in 18 languages through bi-lingual staff and part-time interpreters.blindline, intake and [email protected], received and responded to nearly 1,000 inquiries. Visions was ranked #1 in job placement of blind and visually impaired individuals in New York state for the 10th consecutive year. Visions' expansion into westchester and the lower hudson valley served 604 participants, an increase from the previous year.visions center on aging and intergenerational program: visions operates one of only two citywide innovative older adult centers in New York city dedicated to serving special populations. The program includes the first publicly funded New York city older adult center specifically designed for older adults with vision loss, serving 703 enrolled members during the year.visions is also the only New York city-funded older adult center with an approved restaurant voucher program, enabling blind older adults to enjoy a nutritious breakfast with friends at no cost at a local restaurant, helping to promote nutrition, independence, and social connection.the intergenerational program offered through the visions center on aging matches blind older adults with high school students to promote companionship, mutual learning, and community engagement across generations. The visions intergenerational program was recognized as a program of distinction by generations united.an additional program component introduced youth support for older adults in the areas of assistive technology training and assistance with applying for paid and volunteer opportunities, helping older adults strengthen digital skills, increase independence, and remain engaged in their communities.visions unpaid caregiver support program served more than 754 caregivers and their care recipients during the year. Services included in-home respite, overnight respite services at the visions center on blindness (vcb), counseling, and emergency supplies designed to support caregivers and help individuals remain safely in their homes and communities.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 80.7%; rating input score 81
• Fundraising efficiency: $1.34 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -2.1%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 8.96; rating input score 90; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 16.6%; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.9% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.9% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings