The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired-Goodwill Industries

“Goodwill of the finger lakes, inc. (gfl), a related 501(c)(3) organization provides certain administrative and management services to abvi for which abvi pays gfl a management fee of $2,574,500. In addition certain gfl employees perform management duties for abvi and are officers of abvi. A. Gidget hopf and george klemann are officers of both gfl and abvi. Total compensation paid these individuals by gfl is reported on abvi's 990 part vii column e reportable compensation from related organization and column f.”

“The form 990 is provided to the board, reviewed by management for accuracy and filed upon approval.”

“The agency has a very strong conflict of interest policy. All board members are required to complete a statement at the first meeting of the year stating what, if any conflicts of interest they may have or potentially anticipate.”

“The organization's compensation philosophy is that most jobs are priced within 15% of market rate. Currently, the organization relies most heavily on the rochester business alliance (rba) annual salary survey for data for most positions. The organization also participates with other goodwills in a mercer executive compensation study on a bi-annual basis. National data is also used for senior leadership positions generally obtained from rochester business alliance and the goodwill national survey. The executive board reviews and approves all senior leader compensation. For new positions, human resources department works with the hiring manager to establish a job description that includes essential job functions and necessary experience, etc. Using that information, along with flsa and eeo guidelines, as well as the rba data, the position is then graded and market priced. The base salary amount that is offered is dependent on the applicant's experience. The goal is to hire fully qualified individuals close to the mid-range of the established pay grade (that is the determined market rate) for the position; if less experienced, they are generally hired somewhere between 25% and 50% of the grade. For existing positions, compensation and job descriptions are reviewed on a yearly basis for possible merit increase in april based on job performance. Annual reviews are required to be eligible for an increase. If an employee receives an increase after october 1, or is hired after october 1, they are generally not eligible for the annual increase in april. Executive compensation is determined by the board and performance is reviewed annually.”

“The association for the blind and visually impaired - goodwill industries of greater rochester (abvi) makes available all non-confidential information to the general public at the agency's main corporate office at 422 south clinton avenue, rochester, new york upon request. This documentation consists of audited financial statements, annual 990 documents, and other information that would enable an individual to make an informed decision about the charitable nature of the organization. Any individual may request to inspect this information for any or all of the last three years. Anyone who wishes a copy is asked to reimburse the agency for reasonable copying charges.”

“The mission of the association for the blind and visually impaired (abvi) is to prepare and empower people who are blind or visually impaired with barriers to independence to be self-sufficient and contribute to their families and communities. Abvi provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages with vision loss in rochester and the greater finger lakes region. Named a center of excellence, abvi is nationally and internationally recognized for its world class low vision clinic where low vision doctors and vision rehabilitation therapists help individuals learn how to optimize their residual vision by learning adaptive techniques to carry out every day tasks that most people take for granted, travel safely, and obtain or remain on a job. Whether an individual is totally blind or has some useable vision, our comprehensive vision rehabilitation services are geared toward empowering individuals and keeping them independent. Abvi is also recognized for its state of the art adaptive technology services whereby individuals are exposed to and taught how to use the latest technology and devices such as tablets, cell phones, computers, video games etc. Individuals are taught software programs that they need for school or work. Our children's programs are designed to teach social skills, technology, self-advocacy, safe travel, and other activities that foster confidence and well-being. Family support programs are offered and recreation events bring children together with their families. An array of programs are offered to adults and youth with vision loss to keep them active, social and healthy. All of the programs are supported by counselling, support groups and case management; a dedicated team of social workers assist individuals dealing with vision loss to adjust and learn to access all of the programs and services they need. In an effort to prevent vision loss before it occurs, abvi has three active vision wellness programs offered to our community. 1.) the early vision screening program reaches children from 6 months to 5 years and has identified many children with conditions that could if not treated lead to serious vision loss or eye disease; 2.) vision care for kids screens school age children who do not have insurance and provides free glasses for those who need them; 3.) project eye care provides vision exams by volunteer doctors to those without vision insurance and who are socio-economically disadvantaged. Abvi has been providing services to individuals with blindness and vision loss across monroe county for over 100 years. During the last calendar year (2017) we provided early vision screenings to over 2,400 children at risk for vision loss that may have gone unnoticed. And 4,800 individuals were served by abvi's vision rehabilitation department (individuals served by all programs, as well as the number of individuals who attended educational and outreach presentation by staff members, etc). Abvi plays a robust advocacy role in our community helping to insure that citizens who are blind have access to all of the community's services and entertainment venues. In partnership with the regional theater company, abvi's team provides professional audio description to broadway musicals so that patrons who are blind can fully enjoy the experience. We also maintain an active role with the rochester transit authority. Abvi provides a wide range of employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired as well as paid training and career paths for future advancement and cross training. Abvi has for all of its history been first and foremost a creator of jobs and careers for people who are blind or visually impaired. Its manufacturing and call (contact) center enterprises provide training and career opportunities in the production of an array of products and services to both government and commercial customers. The call center operates in conjunction with goodwill of the finger lakes, i”

“Change in funded status of defined benefit pension plan 128,132. Change in interest rate swap 59,455.”

“The process is consistent with the prior year.”