2025-05-01T01:20:08-05:00 2024-12-31 471019942 CREATIVE PLANNING TAX LLC 220 PARK AVE S ST CLOUD MN 56301 990 2024-01-01 580914436 AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND INC AMER 6123323242 225 REINEKERS LANE 660 ALEXANDRIA VA 22314 NANCY MARKS-BECKER CFO 6123323242 2025-04-28 1 1 MARIE A PRIMUS CPA P01272184 3202517010 2025-04-28 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z TIMOTHY SCOTT THORNHILL 225 REINEKERS LANE 660 ALEXANDRIA VA 22314 3204072 0 X WWW.ACB.ORG X 1961 DC THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. 16 16 21 408 2870 0 1075883 1743038 738217 586086 182810 305621 307454 369379 2304364 3004124 80950 77450 0 0 1154142 1244009 262082 81829 225770 1100337 1803114 2597511 3206402 -293147 -202278 5222625 6331309 637317 1886673 4585308 4444636 X TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. 0 0 1135664 0 0 MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION SERVICES STRENGTHENED AFFILIATES THROUGH WEEKLY CALLS FOR THE PRESIDENTS, FORMALIZED AND INDIVIDUALIZED LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND PROVIDED AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (ACB) BOARD LIAISONS TO AFFILIATES TO PROMOTE CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT. ACB'S COMMUNITY PLATFORM HELD 5,000 EVENTS WITH 182 INDIVIDUALS ACCUMULATING 16,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS. THE COMMUNITY EVENTS WERE SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, TOPIC-DRIVEN, TEACHING BRAILLE, CRAFTS, LANGUAGES, EXERCISE CLASSES, MEDITATION, DISCUSSIONS, SEMINARS ON DIABETES, PEER SUPPORT, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING, AND SO MUCH MORE. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2020, THIS PLATFORM HAS HELD MORE THAN 22,000 EVENTS. 446111 0 487205 CONFERENCE AND CONVENTIONTHE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND'S 63RD ANNUAL CONVENTION WAS A HYBRID EVENT, FEATURING VIRTUAL SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION, AND AN IN-PERSON PORTION WITH 200 WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, AND BUSINESS MEETINGS, EXHIBITORS, AND TOURS. ALL ELIGIBLE ACB MEMBERS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS, THEN COULD VOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS AND ELECT BOARD MEMBERS DURING ACB'S BUSINESS MEETINGS. THE CONVENTION INCLUDED INFORMATIVE BREAKOUT SESSIONS ON ISSUES OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY. INDIVIDUALS COULD ATTEND LIVE SESSIONS OR LISTEN TO THE PODCASTED SESSIONS. 363198 0 0 ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS HELD THE ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE WITH BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL COMPONENTS. ACB PARTICIPATED IN ADVOCACY TO MOVE TIMELY LEGISLATION ALONG, INCLUDING THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT AND THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT. WORKED IN COALITION WITH OTHER DISABILITY ORGANIZATIONS TO MOVE KEY LEGISLATION, SUCH AS THE WEBSITES AND SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS ACCESSIBILITY ACT AND THE COMMUNICATIONS, VIDEO, AND TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY ACT, FURTHER ALONG THE PROCESS IN THE 118TH CONGRESS. 802217 77450 98053 PUBLIC AWARENESS INCREASED SPANISH LANGUAGE CONTENT FOR EVENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND AWARENESS INITIATIVES. THE FOURTH ANNUAL ACB AUDIO DESCRIPTION AWARDS GALA WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON YOUTUBE AND PEACOCK, ALLOWING ACB TO EXTEND ITS REACH ACROSS THE NATION. ACB MEDIA'S 10 INTERNET STREAMS HAD OVER 185,000 LISTENING HOURS. ACB'S SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE RESULTED IN OVER 16,000 FOLLOWERS ACROSS FIVE PLATFORMS WITH CONSISTENT ENGAGEMENT ON DAILY POSTS. ACB'S WEBSITE AND THE AUDIO DESCRIPTION PROJECT WEBSITE ALLOW ACB TO KEEP THE PUBLIC AWARE OF ONGOING ACTIVITIES, CURRENT INITIATIVES, AND NEWS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND, LOW VISION, OR WHO ARE CONNECTED TO SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY.AUDIO DESCRIPTION PROJECT (ADP)ACB'S AUDIO DESCRIPTION PROJECT SPONSORS A BROAD RANGE OF ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO BUILD AWARENESS OF AUDIO DESCRIPTION. IN 2024, THE ADP HELD ITS FOURTH AUDIO DESCRIPTION AWARDS GALA, CELEBRATING THE MEDIA INDUSTRY'S ADVANCEMENT OF AUDIO DESCRIPTION; SERVED ON THE FCC'S DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE; SPONSORED ITS ANNUAL ESSAY CONTEST FOR STUDENTS; CONDUCTED SESSIONS OF THE AUDIO DESCRIPTION TRAINING INSTITUTE; AND PARTICIPATED IN THE UNIDESCRIPTION PROJECT'S EFFORT TO CREATE AUDIO DESCRIPTION FOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BROCHURES.ACB SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDSIN 2024, ACB AWARDED $116,200 ACROSS 28 SCHOLARSHIPS TO BLIND POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS. SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS RANGED FROM $4,200 TO $8,100. MANY ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE WHERE THEY NETWORKED WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE SIMILAR LIFE EXPERIENCES. THE JPMORGAN CHASE LEADERSHIP FELLOWS AND DKM FIRST-TIMER AWARDS WERE AWARDED TO SEVEN DESERVING FUTURE LEADERS EMPOWERING THEIR GROWTH THROUGH MENTORING, TRAINING, AND PEER DEVELOPMENT. THE AWARDEES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND ACB'S CONVENTION TO CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS.INFORMATION AND PEER SUPPORTACB PROVIDES VITAL INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS EXPERIENCING VISION LOSS WHO ARE SEEKING SUPPORT IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, INCLUDING ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, DAILY LIVING SKILLS, AND ADVOCACY-RELATED INQUIRIES. MANY CALLERS ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THEY CAN TALK TO ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH VISION LOSS. ACB HAS BUILT A VIRTUAL PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITY EVENT PLATFORM TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS. 802217 77450 98053 2747190 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 27 0 1 21 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL AK AR AZ CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MS NC ND NH NJ NM NY OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WI MN X NANCY MARKS-BECKER 6123323242 6200 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY STE 155 BROOKLY CENTER MN 55340 DEB COOK LEWIS PRESIDENT 15.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID TROTT 1ST VICE PRESIDENT 10.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 RAY CAMPBELL 2ND VICE PRESIDENT 10.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 DENISE COLLEY SECRETARY 10.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL GARRETT TREASURER 5.00 4.00 X X 0 0 0 KIM CHARLSON PAST PRESIDENT 5.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DOUG POWELL DIRECTOR (THRU 7/2024) 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF THOM DIRECTOR 5.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA BROWN DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KONI SIMS DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KENNETH SEMIEN SR DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER BELL DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GABRIEL LOPEZ KAFATI DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TERRY PACHECO DIRECTOR 5.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 RACHEL SCHROEDER DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CECILY LANEY NIPPER DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 PETER HEIDE DIRECTOR (BEG 7/2024) 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TIMOTHY SCOTT THORNHILL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (BEG 3/2024) 39.00 1.00 X 128846 0 0 NANCY MARKS BECKER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 35.00 5.00 X 98649 12517 30190 THOMAS DAN SPOONE INTERIM EXEC DIRECTOR (THRU 3/2024) 39.00 1.00 X 33044 0 124 260539 12517 30314 1 0 0 0 0 1026 59172 217265 1465575 786875 1743038 ANNUAL CONVENTION 900099 488531 487205 1326 OTHER PROGRAM FEES 900099 61070 61070 ADVOCACY 900099 36485 36485 586086 121376 121376 318125 133804 76 184321 -76 184245 184245 15320 217265 52298 -36978 -36978 27500 6675 20825 20825 8639 7095 1544 1544 EQUITY IN ACBES 900099 383490 383490 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 900099 498 498 383988 3004124 585258 2870 672958 77450 77450 312363 215018 73460 23885 766254 648939 54572 62743 15415 12786 1496 1133 71049 57492 8771 4786 78928 63370 9219 6339 369 298 41 30 67652 53930 7986 5736 22891 19000 2863 1028 81829 81829 28326 26911 1415 76446 63009 11785 1652 5598 4504 636 458 137629 127619 5871 4139 185318 164930 11196 9192 123741 91778 22714 9249 123244 113300 7092 2852 161535 159195 1362 978 15186 12193 2018 975 24220 19619 2711 1890 SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 744839 738762 3650 2427 MEMBERSHIP AND DUES 21084 16962 2399 1723 ADP GRANT - SITE VISITS 3583 3583 61453 56542 2185 2726 3206402 2747190 233442 225770 105795 193876 29431 31426 21857 18770 45725 54163 306055 266502 33784 39553 4400020 4420869 586013 1572652 5222625 6331309 209341 272377 32000 49700 395976 1564596 637317 1886673 X 3231700 3013151 1353608 1431485 4585308 4444636 5222625 6331309 -202278 61606 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1073935 897885 1374486 1075883 1743038 6165227 1073935 897885 1374486 1075883 1743038 6165227 1063756 5101471 93932 102022 95228 101696 121376 514254 98451 368675 398245 241462 0 1106833 7786314 2886267 0.65520 0.66480 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 22890 161106 183996 2426354 2610350 280518 70130 0 0 230857 253231 256724 280518 1021330 1531995 96032 96032 128778 183996 504838 57714 63308 64181 70130 255333 383000 8930 8930 26152 22890 66902 1127997 1500 101603 40250 1190850 1050388 2600 117759 42750 1127997 1255023 3600 -173235 35000 1050388 1158210 2200 128863 34250 1255023 1083094 2000 110116 37000 1158210 0.23513 0.46649 0.29839 0 0 3400 3400 285680 266502 19178 16975 16975 39553 TIMESHARE 100 SECURITY DEPOSIT 12322 SERIES EE BOND 50 RIGHT OF USE ASSET - OPERATING LEASE 632012 EQUITY IN ACBES 928168 1572652 LEASE LIABILITY 642650 DUE TO ACBES 921946 1564596 PART V, LINE 4: ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE INVESTED IN THE BALANCE PORTFOLIO OF DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF GROWING THE ASSET BASE TO INCREASE INCOME FOR FUTURE APPROPRIATIONS OF SCHOLARSHIPS. X X X X X X X 1 KARS-R-USCOM 6059 N BRIARGATE LANE GLENDORA CA 91740 ACCEPT AND LIQUIDATE VEHICLES, VESSELS, AND OTHER ITEMS OF V 1 170551 71387 99164 170551 71387 99164 MN ADP GALA 126000 110680 15320 47150 ACB AUCTIONS 81625 81625 3326 2 24960 24960 1822 232585 217265 15320 52298 52298 -36978 27500 6500 175 0 27500 6500 175 6675 20825 MN 1 0 1 0 1.00000 NANCY BECKER 6200 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY STE 155 BROOKLYN CENTER MN 55430 0 0 SCHEDULE G, PART I, LINE 2B, COLUMN (V) ACB HAS A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH KARS-R-US.COM, A FOR-PROFIT PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISER, TO ACCEPT AND LIQUIDATE VEHICLES, VESSELS, AND OTHER ITEMS OF VALUE ON BEHALF OF ACB. 1 SCHOLARSHIPS 19 77450 PART I, LINE 2: EACH SCHOLARSHIP HAS DIFFERENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REVIEWS ALL APPLICATIONS, CONDUCTS APPLICANT INTERVIEWS, AND MAKES FINAL SELECTIONS. THE RECORDS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE, INCLUDING APPLICATIONS AND MINUTES OF THEIR MEETINGS ARE KEPT IN OUR NATIONAL OFFICE. THE SELECTIONS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE ARE PROVIDED TO THE MINNESOTA FINANCE OFFICE AND WE THEN MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH THE RECIPIENT, REVIEW PROOF OF ENROLLMENT, AND ISSUE THE CHECKS TO THE RECIPIENT. THE MINNESOTA FINANCE OFFICE REQUIRES PROOF OF ENROLLMENT FROM THE INSTITUTION'S REGISTRARS OFFICE. AWARDS ARE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE STUDENT, NOT TO THE SCHOOL, IN TWO INSTALLMENTS. ONE HALF IS PAID FOR THE FIRST SEMESTER, ONE HALF FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER. PROOF OF ENROLLMENT IS REQUIRED FOR BOTH SEMESTERS. X EARBUDS 5000 699950 FMV X AUCTION ITEMS 455 81625 FMV X GALA AUDIO 3 5300 FMV 0 0 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): THE ORGANIZATION IS REPORTING A COMBINATION OF NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND NUMBER OF ITEMS RECEIVED FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 BYLAWS WERE AMENDED TO UPDATE THE VOTING PROCESS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 ANY PERSON OR ORGANIZATION OF THE BLIND IS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND UPON COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BYLAWS. MEMBERSHIP: THE MEMBERSHIP OF THIS ORGANIZATION CONSISTS OF TWO (2) CLASSES, VOTING AND NON-VOTING. VOTING MEMBERS ARE AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS, THEIR VOTING MEMBERS, LIFE MEMBERS AND MEMBERS AT LARGE OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND. NON-VOTING MEMBERS ARE THE INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES HOLDING SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIPS AND THOSE PERSONS HOLDING JUNIOR MEMBERSHIPS, WHETHER AT LARGE OR JOINING AS JUNIOR MEMBERS OF AN AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION. AFFILIATION: ANY ORGANIZATION HAVING AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE (25) VOTING MEMBERS, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE BLIND, MAY APPLY FOR AFFILIATION WITH THE ORGANIZATION. SUCH APPLICATION MUST BE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. TO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING, AN AFFILIATE MUST MAINTAIN A MEMBERSHIP OF AT LEAST 13, A MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE BLIND. NEITHER CURRENTLY AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS NOR THOSE SEEKING AFFILIATION WITH THIS ORGANIZATION MAY EXCLUDE MEMBERS BASED SOLELY ON THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN ANOTHER CONSUMER ORGANIZATION OF THE BLIND. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE MEMBERSHIP ELECTS 5 GOVERNING OFFICERS WHO ALSO SERVE AS DIRECTORS. THE MEMBERSHIP ELECTS 10 ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS. THE FINAL DIRECTOR IS THE IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, CONSISTING OF THE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TREASURER, AND CFO, CONDUCTS A REVIEW OF THE AUDIT AND 990 WITH THE AUDIT FIRM. THE TREASURER ALSO MAKES AN ABBREVIATED PRESENTATION TO THE FULL BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLICY. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVIEWS ALL STATEMENTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. IF A BOARD MEMBER HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THEY MUST REFRAIN FROM VOTING ON THE MATTER. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CFO FOLLOW THE SAME BASIC APPROACH. FIRST, A RANGE IS ESTABLISHED BASED ON RESEARCH OF SIMILAR POSITIONS IN SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AND IN SIMILAR PARTS OF THE COUNTY. THIS INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND FROM REFERENCE MATERIALS OR FROM LOCAL CONTACTS. THE INITIAL COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED BASED ON EVALUATION OF THE APPLICANTS' QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE LEVEL. FROM THIS INFORMATION, A STARTING SALARY IS NEGOTIATED. SUBSEQUENT CHANGES IN COMPENSATION ARE BASED ON A REVIEW OF THE PERSON'S PERFORMANCE, AN EVALUATION OF THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY IN GENERAL, AND EVALUATION OF WHAT OTHER SIMILAR EMPLOYERS ARE DOING. ANY CHANGE IN THE COMPENSATION OF THESE POSITIONS IS USUALLY DETERMINED IN ADVANCE AS A PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS AND IS APPROVED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THIS PROCESS WAS LAST UNDERTAKEN IN 2018. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU CHARITY REVIEW WEBSITE AND THROUGH STATE CHARITY REPORTS. THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT MAKE ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF THE ACB PRESIDENT, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, TWO BOARD MEMBERS, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. SCOPE IS LIMITED TO EMERGENCY MATTERS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ACTION BEFORE A FULL MEETING OF THE BOARD CAN BE CONVENED. ACTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND ENTERPRISES AND SERVICES INC 6200 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY STE 155 BROOKLYN CENTER MN 55430 411332199 THRIFT STORES MN 501(C)(3) LINE 12B, II AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND INC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1