Nonprofit · EIN 43-0666768
ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Tax-exempt · SAINT LOUIS, MO 63144
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $3,332,745 | $2,080,888 | $1,251,857 | $20,312,474 | $186,319 | $20,126,155 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $71,200 | $2,009,487 | -$1,938,287 | $18,308,976 | $150,537 | $18,158,439 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,796,032 | $1,792,285 | $3,747 | $20,066,462 | $132,491 | $19,933,971 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,848,658
- of which government grants
- $621,829
- Program service revenue
- $376,495
- Investment income
- $905,919
- Net rental income
- $63,141
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $281,360
- Net income from fundraising events
- $134,651
- Other revenue
- $201,673
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $183,047
- Other salaries and wages
- $896,605
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,279,856
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $33,280
- Occupancy
- $109,014
- Travel
- $10,320
- Depreciation
- $91,108
- Program services (functional)
- $1,532,335
- Management and general (functional)
- $335,888
- Fundraising (functional)
- $212,665
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $18,308,976
- Total assets, end of year
- $20,312,474
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $186,319
- Net assets, end of year
- $20,126,155
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,715,621
- Publicly traded securities
- $15,980,792
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $19,146,664
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $979,491
- Gross receipts
- $5,820,169
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 38
- Year formed
- 1911
- State of legal domicile
- MO
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.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHARON MERTZLUFFT | PRESIDENT AN Officer | 40 | $183,047 | $9,250 |
| JAMES C BOBROW | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAMELA BOONE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH BRINKER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GERALD BROOKS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALICE CONWAY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BING DEMPEWOLF | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY WHITE DROST | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BEVERLEY FOSTER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN C GALANIS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HUMEYRA KARACAL | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH KAUFFMAN | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MCKINNIS | ASSISTANT TR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID MORRIS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB NEU | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
7 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MERRICA SCHELL | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BRADLEY SMITH | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ERIN CLEARY SULLIVAN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| VYAS SURESH | ASSISTANT SE Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| KENNETH TABB | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| PAUL TESSER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DOUGLAS TRACY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA PARK-LEACH | PRESIDENT AN Former | 40 | $133,732 | $23,000 |
| SHARON MERTZLUFFT | PRESIDENT AN Officer | 40 | $60,154 | $0 |
| JAMES C BOBROW | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAMELA BOONE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH BRINKER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GERALD BROOKS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALICE CONWAY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BING DEMPEWOLF | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY WHITE DROST | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BEVERLY FOSTER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN C GALANIS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HUMEYRA KARACAL | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH KAUFFMAN | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MCKINNIS | ASSISTANT TR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID MORRIS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB NEU | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MERRICA SCHELL | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRADLEY SMITH | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIN CLEARY SULLIVAN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| VYAS SURESH | ASSISTANT SE Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KENNETH TABB | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL TESSER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA PARK-LEACH | PRESIDENT AN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $149,079 | $28,000 |
| JAMES C BOBROW | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH BRINKER | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GERALD BROOKS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALICE CONWAY | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BING DEMPEWOLF | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY WHITE DROST | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BEVERLY FOSTER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN C GALANIS | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| LARRY HICKMAN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HUMEYRA KARACAL | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH KAUFFMAN | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL MCKINNIS | ASSISTANT TR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SHARON MERTZLUFFT | PRESIDENT AN Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $0 | $0 |
| ANN SHAPIRO | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRADLEY SMITH | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIN CLEARY SULLIVAN | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KENNETH TABB | MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAMELA BOONE | SECRETARY Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID MORRIS | TREASURER Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| VYAS SURESH | ASSISTANT SE Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 8770 MANCHESTER RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63144-2724
- In care of
- % MR DAVID EKIN
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- SHARON MERTZLUFFT, 8770 MANCHESTER ROAD, ST LOUIS, MO 63144
- Signed the 990
- SHARON MERTZLUFFT, PRESIDENT AND CEO
- Phone
- (314) 968-9000
- Website
- WWW.SLSBVI.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CONNER ASH PC
Mission
THE SOCIETY ENHANCES INDEPENDENCE, EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS AND ENRICHES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND.
Program accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $465,523 · revenue $114,379
- 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.Expenses $659,517 · revenue $162,044
- 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.Expenses $407,295 · revenue $100,072
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 year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 43-0666768
- 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
- 1941
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Voluntary health associations and medical disciplines (G410)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $18,308,976
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,696,318
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $3,332,745 | $2,080,888 | $20,312,474 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $71,200 | $2,009,487 | $18,308,976 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $1,796,032 | $1,792,285 | $20,066,462 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,468,167 | $1,771,795 | $19,364,506 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | 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 43-0666768).
Questions about ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
- What is the EIN of ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED is 43-0666768.
- Is ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1941.
- Are donations to ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED 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 ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED 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 ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED 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 ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names SHARON MERTZLUFFT.
- Who are the officers and directors of ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 22 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $183,047 (SHARON MERTZLUFFT, PRESIDENT AN).
- How much revenue does ST LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,332,745, expenses of $2,080,888 and total assets of $20,312,474 at year end.
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All nonprofits in SAINT LOUIS · Missouri · Voluntary health associations and medical disciplines