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FOUNDATION FOR VISION REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT INC
BINGHAMTON, NY · EIN 161576219 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B12 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · avreus.org
revenue
$389K
expenses
$806K
net assets
$5.7M
employees
0
volunteers
11
program ratio
97%
mission · from form 990

TO FINANCIALLY AID THE ASSOCIATION FOR VISION REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT, INC. IN ITS ENDEAVORS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit organization serving people who are blind or visually impaired in New York's Southern Tier, operating a hybrid model that combines vision rehabilitation services with a business division generating revenue through manufacturing and switchboard operations. The organization employs over 90% blind or visually impaired individuals in its business functions and reinvests business revenue into clinical services. Founded over 90 years ago and headquartered in Binghamton, NY.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Business Division - Manufacturing
Produces paper-based office products and performs assembly and packaging for commercial and government clients through federal and state set-aside programs
Switchboard Operations
Manages switchboard operations at two Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Montrose and Castle Point, NY, using adaptive audio technology
Vision Rehabilitation Services
Comprehensive clinical services for people who are blind or visually impaired across a nine-county service territory in New York, including orientation and mobility training, low vision therapy, and career counseling
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 2 activities
    • Employ individuals who are blind or visually impaired
      Employs individuals who are blind or visually impaired in over 90% of direct labor and production roles across the organization, particularly within the Business Division.
    • Support employee career advancement and education
      Supports career development for employees who are blind or visually impaired through tuition assistance, scholarships for post-secondary education, and internal advancement opportunities, such as progression from entry-level roles to managerial positions.
  • Vision Rehabilitation Services 2 activities
    • Operate Vision Impairment Connect program
      Delivers home-based services through the Vision Impairment Connect program, including individualized assessments, adaptive equipment, and training to improve independent daily living for individuals with vision loss.
    • Provide vision rehabilitation services
      Provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services at low or no cost to individuals who are blind or have low vision across a nine-county region in the Southern Tier of New York. Services include Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Low Vision Exams, Orientation & Mobility training, Social Casework, and functional vision assessments.
  • Fundraising and Financial Support for IDD Services 1 activity
    • Fund programs of the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc.
      Provides financial support to the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. to advance its programs and operations.
  • Digital Communications and Content Management 1 activity
    • Manage communications and marketing
      Manages digital communications including the organization’s website, social media platforms (Facebook, X, LinkedIn), email marketing via Constant Contact, public relations, press releases, and the development of print and digital marketing materials to promote services and products.
  • Charity Golf Tournament Fundraiser 1 activity
    • Organize and promote fundraising events
      Plans and promotes fundraising events, including "Nine at Night," a glow-lit nine-hole nighttime golf tournament, and supports event-related communications, signage, and post-event engagement.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Manufacture paper-based office products and provide contract packaging
      Produces manila file folders, copy paper, pressboard folders, and provides customized contract packaging services including repackaging Goody hair products, battery packaging for NYCHA, educational kits for NYTA, and environmentally friendly cleaning products for state and federal markets.
    • Staff and manage VA hospital switchboard operations
      Staffs and manages switchboard operations at two Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Castle Point and Montrose, New York.
    • Support human resources and compliance reporting
      Assists in recruitment, tracks candidate status for Affirmative Action compliance, prepares employment reports on Equal Employment, Veterans employment, and Affirmative Action, and supports preparation of NIB and NYSPSP labor ratio reports and technical assistance visits.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$389K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$389K100%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$806K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$6.21M
Cash$141K
Investments$6.06M
Liabilities$491K
Net assets$5.71M
Liquid reserves92.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -7.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Kenny Fernald President & CEO 1 $300K
Jennifer King VP Bus Strategy 1 $126K
Marissa Robbins CFO 3 $109K
Carla Brooks CFO 3 $19K
board members · 11
  • BRENDA BROWN — Director
  • Ferris Akel III — Treasurer
  • John Martin — Director
  • John May CPA — Director
  • Karen McMullen — Chair
  • Kristin Jamba — Secretary
  • LOU MCKEAGE — Director
  • Nancy Dorfman — Vice Chair
  • Nolan Robinson — Director
  • Pastor Robert Peak — Director
  • Steve Wayman — Director
relationships · 23

Who they work with

  • ASSOCIATION FOR VISION REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT, INC. Partner — Primary beneficiary of financial support for its programs and operations.
  • AbilityOne Program Government — AVRE is an authorized nonprofit agency under the AbilityOne Program, enabling federal contracts to create employment for people who are blind or have severe disabilities.
  • Advertising Agency Partner — Collaborates with an external advertising agency on messaging, creative deliverables, and campaign execution.
  • Caste Point VA Hospital Partner — AVRE staffs and manages the switchboard at this facility.
  • Castle Point VA Hospital Partner — Staffs and manages switchboard operations at Castle Point VA Hospital.
  • FOUNDATION FOR VISION REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT INC Network — Operates as AVRE, a service organization for individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the Southern Tier of New York.
  • Montrose VA Hospital Partner — AVRE staffs and manages the switchboard at this facility.
  • Montrose VA Hospital Partner — Staffs and manages switchboard operations at Montrose VA Hospital.
  • NIB Government — Submits labor ratio reports and participates in the annual Technical Assistance Visit with NIB.
  • NIB Partner — Collaborates with NIB for federal product approvals and packaging design in the US AbilityOne Program.
  • NYSPSP Government — Prepares quarterly labor ratio reports for NYSPSP.
  • National Industries for the Blind Partner — Partnership to support sales of AVRE products under the SKILCRAFT® brand to the federal government.
  • Network for Good Partner — Partner organization hosting AVRE's online donation platform.
  • New York City Housing Authority Partner — Receives packaged batteries produced by AVRE employees.
  • New York State Industries for the Disabled Partner — Partnership to advance employment and production opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • New York State Industries for the Disabled Partner — Submits product applications for approval through New York State Industries for the Disabled.
  • New York State Preferred Source Program Partner — Collaborates with NYSPSP to support employment and procurement opportunities for people who are blind or have severe disabilities.
  • New York State Preferred Source Program (NYSPSP) Government — AVRE supports this state program through manufacturing.
  • New York State Preferred Source Program (NYSPSP) Partner — Partners with NYSPSP to support state market access for manufactured products.
  • New York Teacher's Association Partner — Receives educational kits assembled by AVRE employees.
  • US AbilityOne Program Government — AVRE supports this federal mandatory source program through manufacturing.
  • US AbilityOne Program Government — Participates in the federal AbilityOne Program to manufacture and sell products.
  • Veterans Administration Medical Centers Partner — Contracts with AVRE to manage switchboard operations at facilities in Montrose and Castle Point.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Cross-Subsidized Social Enterprise Model
    methodology: cross-subsidized social enterprise
    By operating a revenue-generating business division that employs people who are blind or visually impaired, the organization funds vision rehabilitation services because earned income reduces dependency on grants and enables sustainable, mission-aligned programming.
  • Inclusive Employment Integration
    methodology: inclusive employment model
    By employing people who are blind or visually impaired in core operational roles—particularly within its business division—the organization advances mission impact because lived experience informs service delivery and workforce integration reinforces dignity, economic self-sufficiency, and organizational authenticity.
  • Integrated Holistic Rehabilitation
    methodology: holistic-rehabilitation
    By offering coordinated services across learning, living, and working domains, the organization supports independence for people with vision loss because addressing multiple life areas simultaneously creates compounding gains in functional autonomy and quality of life.