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Nonprofit · EIN 52-1192529

AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Also known as ACTION FUND OF AMERICA

Tax-exempt · BALTIMORE, MD 21230

Financials

$4.5M$4.2M2023$8.3M$3.9M2024$6.5M$4.6M2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$6,501,399$4,601,158$1,900,241$47,070,574$330,943$46,739,631
December 31, 2024990$8,332,594$3,933,352$4,399,242$42,632,918$212,892$42,420,026
December 31, 2023990$4,500,373$4,170,847$329,526$36,340,516$256,339$36,084,177
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$3,620,844
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$2,880,555
Net gain from sales of assets
$2,137,918
Other revenue
$0

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$753,749
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$254,130
Other salaries and wages
$185,547
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$513,767
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$238,446
Accounting fees
$65,308
Occupancy
$13,540
Travel
$35,776
Program services (functional)
$3,499,342
Management and general (functional)
$209,944
Fundraising (functional)
$891,872

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$42,632,918
Total assets, end of year
$47,070,574
Total liabilities, end of year
$330,943
Net assets, end of year
$46,739,631
Land, buildings and equipment
$214,042
Publicly traded securities
$41,773,429
Net assets without donor restrictions
$41,856,545
Net assets with donor restrictions
$4,883,086
Gross receipts
$13,993,917
Employees
3
Volunteers
0
Year formed
1980
State of legal domicile
MD

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
MARK RICCOBONOEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Key employee
40$200,714$53,416
MARC MAURERFORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Former
0$123,628$28,073
BARBARA LOOSPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
JULIE DEDENFIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
SANDRA HALVERSONSECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
GARY MACKENSTADTSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CASSANDRA MCKINNEYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CHANCEY FLEETBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MARY ELLEN GABIASBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
LISAMARIA MARTINEZBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOHN GPARE JRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
BENNETT PROWSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PAM SCHNURRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GARY WUNDERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 14 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
MARK RICCOBONOEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Key employee
40$184,423$50,393
MARC MAURERFORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Former
0$120,621$24,163
BARBARA LOOSPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
JULIE DEDENFIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
SANDRA HALVERSONSECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
GARY MACKENSTADTSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CASSANDRA MCKINNEYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CHANCEY FLEETBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MARY ELLEN GABIASBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
LISAMARIA MARTINEZBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOHN GPARE JRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
BENNETT PROWSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PAM SCHNURRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GARY WUNDERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 14 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
MARK RICCOBONOEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Key employee
40$175,185$41,594
MARC MAURERFORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Former
0$117,178$15,890
BARBARA LOOSPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
JULIE DEDENFIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
SANDRA HALVERSONSECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
GARY MACKENSTADTSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CASSANDRA MCKINNEYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
CHANCEY FLEETBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MARY ELLEN GABIASBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
LISAMARIA MARTINEZBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOHN GPARE JRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
BENNETT PROWSBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PAM SCHNURRBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GARY WUNDERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
1800 JOHNSON ST, BALTIMORE, MD 21230-4914
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
BARBARA LOOS, 1800 JOHNSON STREET, BALTIMORE, MD 21230
Signed the 990
BARBARA LOOS, PRESIDENT
Phone
(410) 659-9315
Return prepared by
FRAZIER & DEETER ADVISORY LLC

Mission

INTEGRATING THE BLIND INTO SOCIETY

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • BRAILLE PUBLICATIONS AND PROGRAMS - CONDUCTED AND PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES EMPHASIZING BRAILLE AND TACTILE LITERACY, EDUCATION, AND INDEPENDENCE INCLUDING: THE FREE BRAILLE BOOKS PROGRAM WHICH SENDS A NEW BRAILLE BOOK TO OVER 1,950 BLIND CHILDREN EACH MONTH; EARLY PRE-READING AND TACTILE EXPLORATION PROGRAM FOR BLIND CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH AGE EIGHT; BRAILLE READERS ARE LEADERS CONTEST TO IMPROVE READING SKILLS AND ENCOURAGE MORE BRAILLE READING; DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRONIC BRAILLE READY (BRF) FILES FOR ONSITE PRODUCTION OF HARD COPY BRAILLE; SHARE BRAILLE.ORG AN ONLINE COMMUNITY TO CONNECT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BRAILLE BOOKS THAT THEY NO LONGER NEED WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR BRAILLE READING MATERIAL; OUTREACH TO LOCATE INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF BRAILLE INSTRUCTION; MASS COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS TO RAISE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FOR REQUIRING ADEQUATE BRAILLE READING AND WRITING INSTRUCTION FOR BLIND CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES MAKING SIMILAR EFFORTS TO MAKE BRAILLE AND BRAILLE INSTRUCTION AVAILABLE TO ALL BLIND PERSONS. ALL BLIND PERSONS AND PERSONS WITH VISUAL DISABILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES (OVER 8.5 MILLION AS REPORTED BY THE U.S. CENSUS DEPARTMENT) ARE POTENTIALLY BENEFITTED BY THESE ACTIVITIES.
    Expenses $483,687 · grants $67,269
  • TOOLS FOR INDEPENDENCE - GAVE WHITE CANES, SLATES AND STYLUSES FOR WRITING BRAILLE, AND BRAILLE CALENDARS AT NO CHARGE TO BLIND INDIVIDUALS UPON REQUEST. APPROXIMATELY TEN THOUSAND SUCH ITEMS WERE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE YEAR.
    Expenses $150,871
  • SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES - CONDUCTED AND PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES TO ELIMINATE MASSIVE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO FULL PARTICIPATION BY BLIND INDIVIDUALS EMBEDDED IN EDUCATION; EMPLOYMENT; TRANSPORTATION; GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES; COMMERCE; RECREATION; HOUSING; RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS; MEDICAL FACILITIES; WEB-BASED AND AUTOMATED KIOSK AND TOUCH-SCREEN BASED INFORMATION SERVICES; AND ALL OTHER FORMS OF EXCLUSION BASED ON NON-VISUALLY ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND TOOLS AND UPON MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF THE TRUE NATURE OF THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LACK OF EYESIGHT AND THE RESULTANT LOW EXPECTATIONS. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE MULTIFACETED AND INCLUDE: DIRECT SERVICES TO BLIND INDIVIDUALS; SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN; MASSIVE, BROAD-BASED COMMUNICATIONS TO AND INTERACTION WITH INDIVIDUALS, GOVERNMENTAL, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND BUSINESS ENTITIES AIMED AT MAKING WIDESPREAD AND PERMANENT CHANGES TO PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS ABOUT BLINDNESS; LEADERSHIP TRAINING; SUPPORT FOR SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-ORGANIZATION GROUPS; LEGAL ACTION TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS; SUPPORT FOR CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NEW TACTILE METHODS FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION; EFFORTS TO LOCATE BLIND PEOPLE NEEDING ASSISTANCE; AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES WORKING TOWARD SIMILAR GOALS. ALL BLIND PERSONS AND PERSONS WITH VISUAL DISABILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES (OVER 8.5 MILLION AS REPORTED BY THE U.S. CENSUS DEPARTMENT) ARE POTENTIALLY BENEFITTED BY THESE ACTIVITIES.
    Expenses $2,864,784 · grants $686,480

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
52-1192529
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1944
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Human services (P860)
Assets (IRS master file)
$47,070,574
Income (IRS master file)
$13,993,917

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$6,501,399$4,601,158$47,070,574IRS
990December 2024$8,332,594$3,933,352$42,632,918IRS
990December 2023$4,500,373$4,170,847$36,340,516XML
990December 2022$4,873,119$4,697,116$33,837,904IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 52-1192529).

Questions about AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS

What is the EIN of AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS?
The employer identification number (EIN) of AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS is 52-1192529.
Is AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1944.
Are donations to AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names BARBARA LOOS.
Who are the officers and directors of AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 14 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $200,714 (MARK RICCOBONO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
How much revenue does AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND DBA BLIND CHILDREN AND ADULTS have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $6,501,399, expenses of $4,601,158 and total assets of $47,070,574 at year end.

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