2026-05-05T15:35:10-05:00 2025-12-31 471019942 CREATIVE PLANNING TAX LLC 220 PARK AVE S ST CLOUD MN 56301 990 2025-01-01 580914436 AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND INC AMER 6123323242 225 REINEKERS LANE 660 ALEXANDRIA VA 22314 TIMOTHY SCOTT THORNHILL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6123323242 2026-05-01 1 MARIE A PRIMUS CPA P01272184 3202517010 2026-05-01 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z TIMOTHY SCOTT THORNHILL 225 REINEKERS LANE 660 ALEXANDRIA VA 22314 3000820 0 X WWW.ACB.ORG X 1961 DC THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. 17 17 20 302 3700 0 1743038 1426925 586086 659708 305621 374722 369379 479571 3004124 2940926 77450 79450 0 0 1244009 1179461 81829 56904 231478 1803114 1076958 3206402 2392773 -202278 548153 6331309 7577651 1886673 2453645 4444636 5124006 X TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. 0 0 455674 MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION SERVICES STRENGTHENED AFFILIATES THROUGH REGULAR PRESIDENTS' ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING WEEKLY SESSIONS THAT PROVIDE A FORUM FOR TIMELY TOPICS AND GUEST PRESENTERS. THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (ACB) COMMUNITY PLATFORM HOSTED APPROXIMATELY 4,800 EVENTS, SUPPORTED BY 230 VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN 19,000 HOURS OF SERVICE. PROGRAMMING INCLUDED A BROAD MIX OF SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS SUCH AS BRAILLE INSTRUCTION, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS SESSIONS, PEER SUPPORT, AND TOPIC-DRIVEN DISCUSSIONS. TRAINING MODULES WERE ALSO DEVELOPED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY HOSTS AND VOLUNTEERS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2020, THE PLATFORM HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN 26,000 EVENTS TO THE COMMUNITY. 433602 485798 CONFERENCE AND CONVENTIONTHE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND'S 64TH ANNUAL CONVENTION WAS A DYNAMIC HYBRID EVENT, COMBINING VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EXPERIENCES WITH OVER 250 WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, BUSINESS MEETINGS, EXHIBITORS, AND TOURS. ELIGIBLE MEMBERS COULD ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS ON PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS, VOTE ON THEM, AND ELECT BOARD MEMBERS. THE CONVENTION ALSO FEATURED INFORMATIVE BREAKOUT SESSIONS ON RELEVANT COMMUNITY ISSUES, AVAILABLE FOR LIVE ATTENDANCE OR THROUGH PODCAST RECORDINGS, ENSURING BROAD ACCESSIBILITY AND ENGAGEMENT FOR ALL ATTENDEES. 351267 63485 ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS HELPED MOVE CONGRESS TO REINTRODUCE TWO BILLS THAT WERE PART OF ACB'S LEGISLATIVE IMPERATIVES: THE WEBSITES AND SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS ACCESSIBILITY ACT AND THE MEDICAL DEVICE NONVISUAL ACCESSIBILITY ACT. PUT ON THE 2025 HILL DAY, WHERE MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN DOZENS OF MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS TO DISCUSS LEGISLATION THAT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. PARTICIPATED IN A COALITION CALL WITH THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) TO CALL FOR THE RESCISSION OF THE EYEGLASSES EXCLUSION ACT. CELEBRATED THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) WITH THE CONSORTIUM OF CONSTITUENTS WITH DISABILITIES (CCD). 717199 79450 111289 PUBLIC AWARENESS ATTENDED AND PRESENTED AT NUMEROUS TECHNOLOGY, ADVOCACY, AND DISABILITY-RELATED CONFERENCES PROMOTING ACB'S WORK AND SERVICES. THE FIFTH ANNUAL ACB AUDIO DESCRIPTION AWARDS GALA WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON YOUTUBE AND PEACOCK, EXTENDING ACB'S REACH ACROSS THE NATION. ACB MEDIA'S 10 INTERNET STREAMS HAD OVER 154,400 LISTENING HOURS. ACB'S SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE RESULTED IN OVER 34,300 FOLLOWERS ACROSS SEVEN 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. AT THE 2025 AUDIO DESCRIPTION AWARDS GALA, THE AWARDS FOR BEST AUDIO DESCRIPTION WRITER AND NARRATOR WERE GIVEN FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE ADP CELEBRATED 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. THE ADP ALSO LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE, FORMED A VIDEO GAMING SUBCOMMITTEE, AND HELD A LIVE KICKOFF FOR THE AD PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD.ACB SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDSIN 2025, ACB IN COLLABORATION WITH AFB DISTRIBUTED $116,200 IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING TO 21 BLIND STUDENTS PURSUING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. MANY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL CONVENTION, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD CONNECTIONS WITH PEERS WHO SHARE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. ADDITIONALLY, SEVEN EMERGING LEADERS WERE SELECTED AS JPMORGAN CHASE LEADERSHIP FELLOWS AND DKM FIRST-TIMER AWARD RECIPIENTS, RECEIVING SUPPORT THROUGH MENTORING, TRAINING, AND PEER ENGAGEMENT. THESE INDIVIDUALS ALSO ATTENDED ACB'S CONVENTION, WHERE THEY STRENGTHENED THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND EXPANDED THEIR PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS.INFORMATION AND PEER SUPPORTACB OFFERS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING VISION LOSS, CONNECTING THEM WITH RESOURCES SUCH AS ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY, DAILY LIVING SKILLS, AND ADVOCACY SUPPORT. MANY CALLERS SIMPLY WANT SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT ADJUSTING TO VISION LOSS. TO MEET THIS NEED, ACB HAS CREATED A VIRTUAL PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITY PLATFORM. 717199 79450 111289 1957742 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 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 25 0 1 20 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 17 17 0 0 0 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 20.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID TROTT 1ST VICE PRESIDENT 10.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 KENNETH SEMIEN SR 2ND VICE PRESIDENT 15.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 RAY CAMPBELL 2ND VP (END 7/2025) 10.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 KATIE FREDERICK SECRETARY 7.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 DENISE COLLEY SECRETARY (END 7/2025) 10.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL GARRETT TREASURER 5.00 3.00 X X 0 0 0 KIM CHARLSON PAST PRESIDENT 4.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JEFF THOM DIRECTOR 5.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA BROWN DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KONI SIMS DIRECTOR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ZELDA GEBHARD DIRECTOR 3.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER BELL DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GABRIEL LOPEZ KAFATI DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TERRY PACHECO DIRECTOR 4.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 RACHEL SCHROEDER DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CECILY NIPPER DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 PETER HEIDE DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CHERYL CUMMINS DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TIMOTHY SCOTT THORNHILL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 39.00 1.00 X 156144 0 6098 NANCY MARKS BECKER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 35.00 5.00 X 101184 13916 32927 257328 13916 39025 2 0 1 0 0 1266 53976 199358 1172325 85665 1426925 ANNUAL CONVENTION 900099 485938 485798 140 OTHER PROGRAM FEES 900099 110285 110285 ADVOCACY 900099 63485 63485 659708 121951 121951 252771 0 252771 252771 252771 15912 199358 52299 -36387 -36387 11155 7595 3560 3560 EQUITY IN ACBES 900099 511394 511394 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 900099 1004 1004 512398 2940926 660572 3700 849729 79450 79450 293030 189947 68722 34361 705808 591718 48558 65532 20085 16725 1580 1780 86944 68975 10744 7225 73594 57855 8332 7407 1281 1007 145 129 31360 23248 5141 2971 17639 16289 737 613 56904 56904 28304 26889 1415 101411 97881 1197 2333 6540 5141 742 657 114661 104025 5568 5068 195118 170783 12674 11661 129280 96711 19813 12756 111950 100026 4487 7437 179118 176940 1155 1023 15885 12589 1583 1713 26109 20698 2911 2500 SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 35512 29620 3088 2804 MEMBERSHIP AND DUES 26729 21011 3033 2685 ADP GRANT - SITE VISITS 3375 3375 52686 46839 1928 3919 2392773 1957742 203553 231478 193876 151402 0 500000 31426 18229 18770 16281 54163 42506 348960 268413 39553 80547 4420869 4599312 1572652 2169374 6331309 7577651 272377 316924 49700 40575 1564596 2096146 1886673 2453645 X 3013151 3085169 1431485 2038837 4444636 5124006 6331309 7577651 548153 34613 96604 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 897885 1374486 1075883 1743038 1426925 6518217 897885 1374486 1075883 1743038 1426925 6518217 965431 5552786 102022 95228 101696 121376 121951 542273 368675 398245 241462 0 0 1008382 8068872 3109448 0.68820 0.65520 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 17639 105965 123604 1837202 1960806 248040 62010 0 0 253231 256724 280518 248040 1038513 1557770 96032 128778 183996 123604 532410 63308 64181 70130 62010 259629 389444 8930 26152 22890 17639 75611 1190850 1200 101215 42750 1250515 1127997 1500 101603 40250 1190850 1050388 2600 117759 42750 1127997 1255023 3600 -173235 35000 1050388 1158210 2200 128863 34250 1255023 0.22391 0.44519 0.33090 0 0 3400 3400 313050 268413 44637 32510 32510 80547 TIMESHARE 100 SECURITY DEPOSIT 14022 SERIES EE BOND 50 RIGHT OF USE ASSET - OPERATING LEASE 619036 EQUITY IN ACBES 1536166 2169374 LEASE LIABILITY 636916 DUE TO ACBES 1459230 2096146 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 142679 56904 85774 142679 56904 85774 MN ADP GALA 105750 89838 15912 47315 ACB AUCTIONS 80665 80665 3530 1 28855 28855 1454 215270 199358 15912 52299 52299 -36387 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 20 79450 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. WE 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 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TIMOTHY SCOTT THORNHILL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 156144 0 0 0 0 0 5249 0 849 0 162242 0 0 0 X AUCTION ITEMS 486 80665 FMV X UBER VOUCHERS 100 5000 FMV 0 0 0 1 PART I, COLUMN (B): THE ORGANIZATION IS REPORTING A COMBINATION OF NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND NUMBER OF ITEMS RECEIVED. PART I, LINE 32B: 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. 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 2023. 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