2026-07-20T09:41:51-04:00 2025-12-31 431012822 CONNER ASH PC 12101 WOODCREST EXECUTIVE DR STE 30 ST LOUIS MO 63141 990 2025-01-01 430666768 ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STLO 3149689000 8770 MANCHESTER ROAD ST LOUIS MO 63144 SHARON MERTZLUFFT PRESIDENT AND CEO 3149689000 2026-07-01 true ROBERT M KLUTHO CPA P00229981 3142052510 2026-07-01 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X SHARON MERTZLUFFT 8770 MANCHESTER ROAD ST LOUIS MO 63144 5820169 false X WWW.SLSBVI.ORG X 1911 MO THE ST. LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES TO INDIVIUDALS (GENERALLY INDIVIDUALS 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER) WHO HAVE VISION LOSS. 21 21 24 38 0 967587 1848658 384921 376495 750183 905919 -2031491 201673 71200 3332745 0 0 1210754 1279856 0 212665 798733 801032 2009487 2080888 -1938287 1251857 18308976 20312474 150537 186319 18158439 20126155 X THE SOCIETY ENHANCES INDEPENDENCE, EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS AND ENRICHES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND. false false 465523 114379 VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES: INDIVIDUALIZED VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND DUE TO MACULAR DEGENERATION, DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, GLAUCOMA, CATARACT, TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURY AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. REHABILITATIVE NEEDS ADDRESSED INCLUDE HOW TO BEST USE REMAINING VISION; ADAPTIVE DAILY LIVING SKILLS TRAINING; PREVENTION OF INJURIES; EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION; AND FAMILY SUPPORT. GROUP SERVICES ADDRESS PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL ISOLATION ISSUES AFFECTING AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO LIVE IN A SAFE, HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT MANNER. THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE REFERRED BY THEIR OPHTHALMOLOGIST OR OTHER EYE CARE SPECIALIST AND MANY ARE DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE EYE CONDITIONS. INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES FROM THE SOCIETY'S STATE OR NATIONALLY CERTIFIED AND/OR LICENSED LOW VISION THERAPISTS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST, ORIENTATION & MOBILITY SPECIALISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND OTHER RELATED PROFESSIONALS. INDIVIDUALIZED REHABILITATIVE TRAINING, VARIOUS AIDS, EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, TECHNOLOGY AND ADAPTIVE TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO ASSIST IN ADJUSTING TO VISION LOSS OR BLINDNESS IN ORDER TO RESTORE OR MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY LIVING ACTIVITES. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE SOCIETY'S OFFICES AND IN-HOME. BECAUSE MOST INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THEIR VISION LOSS, THE SOCIETY OFFICES ARE PURPOSELY LOCATED ALONG KEY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ROUTES. IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETY PROVIDES TRANSPORTAION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ALL INDIVIDUALS, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, HAVE ACCESS TO INDIVIDUALIED VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES. BECAUSE MOST VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES AND LOW VISION AIDS ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR MEDICARE, CARE SERVICES, DEVICES OR OTHER VISION REHBILITATION AIDS CAN BE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS AT REDUCED COST IF THERE IS AN INABILITY TO PAY. 659517 162044 THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO THE AGENCY ARE EXPERIENCING VISION LOSS DUE TO AN AGE-RELATED OR HEREDITARY EYE CONDITION. THROUGH A LOW VISION CLINIC (DREWS LOW VISION CLINIC) AND LOW VISION SERVICES, EVALUATIONS ARE PROVIDED BY A LICENSED DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY AND CERTIFIED LOW VISION THERAPIST OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. FUNCTIONAL EYE EXAMS, ADAPTIVE AIDS AND EQUIPMENT ADDRESS WAYS TO BEST UTILIZE REMAINING VISION. THESE ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN COMPLETING DAILY LIVING TASKS INCLUDING MANAGMENT OF TAKING MEDICATION, READING, AND WATCHING TELEVISION. OVER 200 DIFFERENT LOW VISION AIDS ARE AVAILABE AND ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS AT NO CHARGE IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD SUCH DEVICES. AN EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE OF THOSE UNABLE TO AFFORD RECOMMENDED LOW VISION EQUIPMENT. IN-HOME FOLLOW UP BY THE LOW VISION THERAPIST OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST PROVIDES REHABILITATIVE LOW VISION TRAINING AND ENSURES THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BEST USE RECOMMENDED LOW VISION EQUIPMENT/AIDS. TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED TO ANY INDIVIDUAL NEEDING HELP IN GETTING TO THE DREWS LOW VISION CLINIC. 407295 100072 PROVIDING SPEAKERS, LITERATURE, SEMINARS AND OTHER PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES TO COMMUNITY GROUPS; PUBLICATIONS AND DISSEMINATION OF MATERIALS FOCUSED ON HUMAN INTEREST STORIES, VISION LOSS AND DIFFERENT EYE CONDITIONS; SIGHTED, BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED VOLUNTEERS ASSIST THE AGENCY AND THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. 1532335 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true false true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 3 0 true 24 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 21 21 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false IL X X MARY HULSEY-LUPP 3149689000 8770 MANCHESTER RD ST LOUIS MO 63144 SHARON MERTZLUFFT PRESIDENT AN 40.00 X 183047 0 9250 JAMES C BOBROW MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 PAMELA BOONE TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JOSEPH BRINKER MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 GERALD BROOKS MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ALICE CONWAY MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 BING DEMPEWOLF MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 KIMBERLY WHITE DROST SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 BEVERLEY FOSTER MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN C GALANIS MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 HUMEYRA KARACAL MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH KAUFFMAN CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL MCKINNIS ASSISTANT TR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID MORRIS VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 BOB NEU MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 MERRICA SCHELL MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 BRADLEY SMITH MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ERIN CLEARY SULLIVAN MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 VYAS SURESH ASSISTANT SE 2.00 X X 0 0 0 KENNETH TABB MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 PAUL TESSER MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DOUGLAS TRACY MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 183047 9250 1 false true false 621829 1226829 9750 1848658 CONTRACTED SERVICES 624100 229769 229769 LIVING AIDS 624100 146726 146726 376495 624559 624559 374906 311765 63141 63141 63141 2375409 8500 2102549 272860 8500 281360 281360 207761 73110 134651 MISCELLANEOUS 624100 3881 3881 3881 3332745 380376 969060 183047 119853 35988 27206 896605 587065 176279 133261 115893 87795 16290 11808 84311 55258 16486 12567 33280 11842 19769 1669 21543 7666 12797 1080 49882 41277 6708 1897 109014 86328 15856 6830 10320 10239 78 3 3530 2130 1400 91108 78064 7959 5085 29868 16614 11760 1494 LIVING AIDS 157722 153483 2931 1308 OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS 112767 98442 9248 5077 INVESTMENT FEES 80755 80755 CLIENT SERVICES 40788 38936 1852 60455 56588 2339 1528 2080888 1532335 335888 212665 498500 339164 238348 273305 73123 72510 58980 29954 52585 51191 38044 86093 5251732 2536111 2210653 2715621 9584883 15980792 5553860 763844 18308976 20312474 102059 143597 27326 23466 21152 19256 150537 186319 X 17257101 19146664 901338 979491 18158439 20126155 18308976 20312474 X 1251857 655875 59984 X false true X true false X 1656073 2507925 830113 967587 1848658 7810356 1656073 2507925 830113 967587 1848658 7810356 1525811 6284545 372883 368653 379511 744825 999465 2865337 10675693 1177947 0.58870 0.60550 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 437407 437407 4461645 2355056 2106589 352680 181055 171625 2715621 SECURITY DEPOSIT 19256 19256 4040959 655875 133094 788969 3251990 80755 80755 3332745 2073243 73110 73110 2000133 80755 80755 2080888 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 2D CHANGE IN VALUE-PERPETUITY TRUST 59,984 FUNDRAISING-NETTED W/ REV ON TR 73,110 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XII, LINE 2D FUNDRAISING EXP-NET W/ REVENUE 73,110 GALA 207524 207524 60780 207524 207524 60780 60780 146744 false false false false false false false false false SHARON MERTZLUFFT PRESIDENT AND CEO 183047 9250 18515 192297 FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES: INDIVIDUALIZED VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND DUE TO MACULAR DEGENERATION, DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, GLAUCOMA, CATARACT, TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURY AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. REHABILITATIVE NEEDS ADDRESSED INCLUDE HOW TO BEST USE REMAINING VISION; ADAPTIVE DAILY LIVING SKILLS TRAINING; PREVENTION OF INJURIES; EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION; AND FAMILY SUPPORT. GROUP SERVICES ADDRESS PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL ISOLATION ISSUES AFFECTING AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO LIVE IN A SAFE, HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT MANNER. THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE REFERRED BY THEIR OPHTHALMOLOGIST OR OTHER EYE CARE SPECIALIST AND MANY ARE DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE EYE CONDITIONS. INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES FROM THE SOCIETY'S STATE OR NATIONALLY CERTIFIED AND/OR LICENSED LOW VISION THERAPISTS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST, ORIENTATION & MOBILITY SPECIALISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND OTHER RELATED PROFESSIONALS. INDIVIDUALIZED REHABILITATIVE TRAINING, VARIOUS AIDS, EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, TECHNOLOGY AND ADAPTIVE TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO ASSIST IN ADJUSTING TO VISION LOSS OR BLINDNESS IN ORDER TO RESTORE OR MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY LIVING ACTIVITES. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE SOCIETY'S OFFICES AND IN-HOME. BECAUSE MOST INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO THEIR VISION LOSS, THE SOCIETY OFFICES ARE PURPOSELY LOCATED ALONG KEY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ROUTES. IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETY PROVIDES TRANSPORTAION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ALL INDIVIDUALS, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, HAVE ACCESS TO INDIVIDUALIED VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES. BECAUSE MOST VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES AND LOW VISION AIDS ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR MEDICARE, CARE SERVICES, DEVICES OR OTHER VISION REHBILITATION AIDS CAN BE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS AT REDUCED COST IF THERE IS AN INABILITY TO PAY. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO THE AGENCY ARE EXPERIENCING VISION LOSS DUE TO AN AGE-RELATED OR HEREDITARY EYE CONDITION. THROUGH A LOW VISION CLINIC (DREWS LOW VISION CLINIC) AND LOW VISION SERVICES, EVALUATIONS ARE PROVIDED BY A LICENSED DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY AND CERTIFIED LOW VISION THERAPIST OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. FUNCTIONAL EYE EXAMS, ADAPTIVE AIDS AND EQUIPMENT ADDRESS WAYS TO BEST UTILIZE REMAINING VISION. THESE ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN COMPLETING DAILY LIVING TASKS INCLUDING MANAGMENT OF TAKING MEDICATION, READING, AND WATCHING TELEVISION. OVER 200 DIFFERENT LOW VISION AIDS ARE AVAILABE AND ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS AT NO CHARGE IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD SUCH DEVICES. AN EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE OF THOSE UNABLE TO AFFORD RECOMMENDED LOW VISION EQUIPMENT. IN-HOME FOLLOW UP BY THE LOW VISION THERAPIST OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST PROVIDES REHABILITATIVE LOW VISION TRAINING AND ENSURES THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BEST USE RECOMMENDED LOW VISION EQUIPMENT/AIDS. TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED TO ANY INDIVIDUAL NEEDING HELP IN GETTING TO THE DREWS LOW VISION CLINIC. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECEIVE A DRAFT COPY VIA EMAIL OF THE FORM 990 WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REVIEW THE TAX RETURN AND RESPOND WITH QUESTIONS/COMMENTS TO THE TAX PREPARER. NO QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ASSUME THE RETURN IS ACCURATE AND READY TO BE FILED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C TAXPAYER REQUIRES AND RETAINS ANNUAL DOCUMENTATION BY OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES AND/OR KEY EMPLOYEES. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A EACH BOARD MEMBER RECEIVES A RATING SHEET TO SCORE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRESIDENT. THE RESULTS ARE COMPILED BY THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ARE SHARED WITH THE BOARD. THE BOARD UTILIZES SALARY SURVEYS FOR PURPOSES OF SETTING THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION BASED ON MARKET CONSIDERATIONS AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT. ALL INFORMATION IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD MEMBERS AND NEXT YEAR'S SALARY IS DETERMINED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 TAXPAYER MAKES PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ONLY THOSE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL TAX LAW. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 CHANGE IN VALUE-PERPETUITY TRUST 59,984