Why Donate to Causes for the Blind & Visually Impaired

NAC Empowers Member Agencies To Deliver State of the Art Goods, Services & Instruction to the Blind & Visually Impaired.

There are many agencies involved in giving the blind and visually impaired the skills necessary to thrive in our world today. We are the only agency that exists to help those agencies function more efficiently and correctly. Our expertise cuts across the full spectrum of services needed by the blind & visually impaired.

The following pictures provide just a small sampling of what we help our member agencies do more efficiently.

As seen below, we set operating standards for agencies that sell supplies to the blind & visually impaired as well as for agencies involved in computer training of the blind & visually impaired.

We also set standards for agencies involved in community outreach for people who are blind or visually impaired. Shown below, a blind lady is escorted through a botanical garden so that she may experience the feel and smell of nature.

Our On-Site Peer Review Teams Ensure Efficient Operation of Our Member Agencies

We empower agencies that teach students how to read with a magnification apparatus, that administer and record low-vision testing and any of the other hundreds of functions needed by the blind & visually impaired.

Our process involves visits to agencies by on-site peer review teams. The two photos below show our teams in action. If you would like to review some of the training and screening materials made available to our on-site peer review teams, click the following link: to go to our reviewer information page.

Our Board of Directors Meets Twice Annually

Our own processes are extensively reviewed during our biannual board meetings and multiple teleconferences. Our board is made up of 19 individuals from all walks of life connected to the world of the blind & visually impaired. Many of our board members are leading faculty members or high ranking members of institutions involved in the lives of the blind & visually impaired. Some of our members are retired and/or members of the community. You may review the credentials of our board by clicking the following link: to go to our Board of Directors Page.

You may see our Board in action in the photo below and to the left. The photo to the right shows a cake presented to our on-site peer review team at the end of our visit to a member agency a few years ago.

Tax Deductible Donation Options

NAC, the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind & Visually Impaired, is a non-profit 501(3)(c) organization, and qualifies for charitable gifts from individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations. The generosity of our friends is essential, so that we can continue providing the services that promote independence and self-determination among the blind and visually impaired individuals that we serve.

There are many ways to give. Please see the complete list below for the types of contributions we accept.

Donate Online: The fastest and easiest way to give is through our PayPal site.

We use PayPal to help facilitate your donation transaction. When you click the button below, you will be taken to the PayPal site where you can enter an amount and even designate an area or program that you would like to support.

You may also fill out our online form: click this link to our donations form now.

Donate By Phone: To make tax deductible donations by credit or debit card, simply give us a call at 440.545.1601.

Donate By Mail: Mail your check or money order made payable to "NAC" to:

National Accreditation Council
Steven K. Hegedeos, Executive Director
7017 Pearl Rd.
Middleburg Hts., Ohio 44130

Many of the gifts we receive are in tribute to friends or loved ones, acknowledging birthdays, anniversaries or other special events. When making a tribute gift to NAC, we'll be happy to send a card of thanks in your name to the person you're acknowledging. Just supply us with a name and address.

Traditional Gifts

* Monetary Gift: NAC welcomes all support in terms of cash, check, credit card, or securities.

* Memorial or Tribute: Memorialize or honor a loved one.

* Matching Gift Program: Many companies will match a gift made by an employee.

Planned Giving

* Bequest: Designate NAC as a recipient in your will.

* Insurance: Make NAC the beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

* Stocks, Bonds or Real Property: Receive a tax deduction of a gift by contributing appreciated property while avoiding capital gains taxes.

* Trusts and Annuities: Check out the several ways trusts and annuities can be set up with NAC and learn about the tax advantages each one provides.

NEW: Donate through the Cleveland Foundation in our name.

Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world's first community foundation and the nation's third-largest today, with assets of $1.8 billion and annual grants of $80 million to $85 million. The foundation improves the lives of Greater Clevelanders now and for generations to come by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership on vital issues.

Click the following link that will open in a new browser window: Donate Via Cleveland Foundation. Once there, look for NAC in the Fund drop down menu - scroll down to the "Selected Funds" area - we're near the bottom of that section. THANKS! Is Your Gift Tax Deductible?

If you itemize deductions at tax time, you can deduct your charitable gifts. There are some limitations depending on the size and the type of gift. The most common ones are listed below.

1. The organization receiving the gift must be qualified according to IRS regulations. NAC qualifies under these regulations for charitable gifts from individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations.

2. By making a gift towards an event, merchandise, or any entity where you receive goods or services in return, you may only deduct the remaining amount of that gift after the value of these goods or services has been subtracted from the total. For instance, by making a gift by purchasing a ticket to an awards dinner, the average value (or cost) of food and beverage per person is subtracted from the gift. The remaining amount is tax deductible.

3. The IRS requires written acknowledgment for any gift made as a cash contribution (e.g. annual donation) over $250. NAC provides all its donors with a written acknowledgment.

4. Appraisals are generally necessary for all non-cash property gifts worth more than $5,000.

5. The amount of the total gifts for one year is not limited by the IRS if it is 20% or less of your Adjusted Gross Income. Gifts totaling more than 20% are subject to limitation based on the type of property or the type of organizations the gifts is made to.

For more detailed information and updates, please contact the IRS or other legal consultation.