Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Sarasota, FL EIN: 59-2905001

The Florida Association of Agencies is a public charity based in Sarasota, Florida, that supports private agencies serving Floridians with blindness and visual impairment. It describes its role as providing a united voice and organizational support so those agencies can deliver professional vision rehabilitation services.

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc at a glance

In short: Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc gave $1.9M across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $143K), mostly in Florida. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$1,863,176
+39.4% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
13
-13.3% vs 2023
Average grant
$143,321
+60.9% vs 2023
Median grant
$142,774
Total assets
$794,572
+21.8% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
0% first-time grantees (0 of 13, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
Florida (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc

Contact

Mailing address: 5275 Oakland Hills Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: (305) 898-2636

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Lighthouse of Central Florida: $230KLighthouse of Central Florida$230KLighthouse of Broward County: $225KLighthouse of Broward County$225KLighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches Inc: $223KLighthouse for the Blind ofthe Palm Beaches Inc$223KLighthouse of Southwest Florida: $165KLighthouse of SouthwestFlorida$165KConklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired Inc: $154KConklin Davis Center for theVisually Impaired Inc$154KFlorida Center for the Blind: $145KFlorida Center for the Blind$145KLighthouse of Collier: $143KLighthouse of Collier$143KNew Vision for Independence: $124KNew Vision for Independence$124KLighthouse of Pinellas: $120KLighthouse of Pinellas$120KLighthouse of the Big Bend: $116KLighthouse of the Big Bend$116K

The largest 2024 recipient was Lighthouse of Central Florida ($230K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.

Grant Size Distribution

72 grants across all recorded years

29<$50K20$50–100K23$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 72 (40%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The organization’s member agencies and partners serve all 67 Florida counties. All reported grant dollars in 2024 went to Florida recipients.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.

States

Cities

Daytona BeachFort LauderdaleLeesburgNaplesNorth Fort MyersOcalaOrlandoPensacolaPort RicheyTallahasseeWest Palm BeachLargoSarasotaJacksonvilleTampaPalm Springs

Is Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc open to new grantees?

0%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 0 of 13 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count

  • 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 118% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M17 grants2020 16 grants2021 11 grants2022 15 grants2023 13 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $745K (2020) to $1.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $1.9M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Lighthouse of Central Florida Orlando, FLChildren's Program$230,490
Lighthouse of Broward County Fort Lauderdale, FLChildren's Program$224,771
Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches Inc West Palm Beach, FLChildren's Program$222,916
Lighthouse of Southwest Florida North Fort Myers, FLChildren's Program$164,559
Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired Inc Daytona Beach, FLChildren's Program$154,186
Florida Center for the Blind Ocala, FLChildren's Program$145,316
Lighthouse of Collier Naples, FLChildren's Program$142,774
New Vision for Independence Leesburg, FLChildren's Program$123,520
Lighthouse of Pinellas Largo, FLChildren's Program$119,917
Lighthouse of the Big Bend Tallahassee, FLChildren's Program$115,700
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$794,572$2,104,432$2,121,834$1,863,17613$3,072
2023$652,421$1,650,913$1,610,422$1,336,10515$1,113
2022$314,050$1,122,780$1,170,338$830,80311—
2021$304,782$997,990$1,006,665$856,35016—
2020$311,741$870,388$890,366$744,96117—

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s mission is to serve as a united voice and provide organizational support to private agencies serving Floridians with blindness and visual impairment, helping them provide professional vision rehabilitation services that enhance individual and community life.

Its 2024 filing describes a children’s program for blind youth ages 5 through 13, delivered by member agencies under subcontract. In 2024, the listed grants were designated for a “Children’s Program.” The grantees describe their work in their own missions: for example, Lighthouse of Broward County says it provides rehabilitation and collaborative healthcare solutions for blind and visually impaired children and adults; Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches says it helps people with visual impairments develop their capabilities; and Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired says it empowers people who are blind or visually impaired through education, practical experiences, and support services.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the organization reported 13 grants totaling $1,863,176. Individual grants ranged from $11,780 to $230,490, with a median of $142,774. The listed 2024 grants were for children’s programs, and all grant dollars went to recipients in Florida.

Among the largest 2024 grants were $230,490 to Lighthouse of Central Florida, $224,771 to Lighthouse of Broward County, $222,916 to Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, $164,559 to Lighthouse of Southwest Florida, and $154,186 to Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired.

The organization states that it monitors its children’s-program subcontracts through invoice verification, desk reviews, and on-site program reviews.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Lisa Howard as executive director; Raven Holloway as president; Chantel Buck as vice president; Stefanie Pontlitz as secretary; and Ellyn Drotzer as treasurer. It also lists Anissa Pieriboni as member at large and Kyle Johnson, Ronee David, Carolyn Lapp, and Sheryl Brown as board members.

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc is led by Lisa Howard, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Lisa Howard

    Executive Director

    President → Executive Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $52K (2024)

  • Raven Holloway

    President

    Board Member → President, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amy Grissom

    Former Executive Director

    Executive Director → Former Executive Director, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $29K (2021) → $18K (2024)

  • Anissa Pieriboni

    Member at Large

    Vice President → Member at Large, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carolyn Lapp

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chantel Buck

    Vice President

    Secretary → Vice President, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ellyn Drotzer

    Treasurer

    Board Member → Treasurer, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kyle Johnson

    Board Member

    Officer at Large → Board Member, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Pugh

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ronee David

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sheryl Brown

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alexandra Elman-Foley

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lisa Stella

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stefanie Pontlitz

    Secretary

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tina Torrence

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amy Price

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Becky Bennett

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kaleb Stunkard

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Linda Kay O'Reilly

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robin Goldstone Garcia

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (8)
  • Former: KIM Church (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Scott Flagel (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Kathy Carter (2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Dotty St Amand (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Kim Galban-Countryman (2020–2022) — Member at Large
  • Former: Mary Allen (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Stephanie Pontlitz (2020–2022) — Secretary
  • Former: Elly Du Pre (2020) — Executive Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Lisa Howard — Executive Director: $52KLisa HowardExecutive Director$52KAmy Grissom — Former Executive Director: $18KAmy GrissomFormer Executive Director$18K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $52K, to Lisa Howard (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc

How much does Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc give each year?

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc gave $1.9M across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 15 grants.

What is Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's typical grant size?

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's median grant in 2024 was $142,774, and its average grant was $143,321, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc give grants?

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc gives mostly in Florida: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.

Does Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Children's Program" (13 grants).

Who are Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's largest grantees?

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Lighthouse of Central Florida ($230,490), Lighthouse of Broward County ($224,771) and Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches Inc ($222,916), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc?

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc reported $795K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.1M.

What does Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc fund?

The organization’s mission is to serve as a united voice and provide organizational support to private agencies serving Floridians with blindness and visual impairment, helping them provide professional vision rehabilitation services that enhance individual and community life. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc?

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's EIN?

Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2905001. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 6, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/florida-association-of-agencies-serving-the-blind-inc-morg_a5d16bf975a64c9bb34c553e252c6a5f

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_592905001_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/florida-association-of-agencies-serving-the-blind-inc-morg_a5d16bf975a64c9bb34c553e252c6a5f},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-26. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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