VISIONS/Services for the Blind

Marketing Showcase

VISIONS is a New York City-based nonprofit organization, providing free vision rehabilitation for individuals and families living with blindness or visual impairments. The agency has always taken a safe approach in their design, often choosing functionality over form. Over the last few years, the agency's design language has been updated to incorporate better aesthetics, creating more memorable designs that position VISIONS highly in the nonprofit sector. The design showcase below features new pieces of VISIONS updated design language.

Overview Brochure Design

Mockup of a bi-fold brochure, currently displaying the front and back covers.

Mockup of a bi-fold brochure, currently displaying the front and back covers.

Presentation for Prospective Funders

Slide 1: Three images of VISIONS participants of different ages align the top, while large bold text in a red background reads,

Slide 2: On the left, text reads, Mission: VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization. VISIONS purpose is to develop and implement programs to assist people who are blind or visually impaired of all ages to lead independent and active lives, and to educate the public to understand the capabilities and needs of people who are blind and visually impaired. On the right, three photos of participants smiling as they receive services.

Slide 3: On the left, a large map showcasing VISIONS services, with highlights at VISIONS locations in Manhattan and Rockland County. On the right, text reads, VISIONS Reach: VISIONS serves participants in all boroughs of NYC, Long Island, Westchester County, the Lower Hudson Valley, and several counties in New Jersey. All legally blind and visually impaired persons sponsored by their state commission for the blind are eligible for residential short-term training at VCB. DID YOU KNOW? VISIONS is the sole provider of vision rehabilitation programs and services in Westchester County.

Slide 4: Four columns highlight VISIONS services. Text reads, Vision Rehabilitation: In-home instruction for all ages, on key skills to living with vision loss, safely traveling in the community, and maintaining independence; Job Training and Placement: Instruction on resume writing, computer literacy, applying/interviewing for jobs, and techniques to thrive in the workplace; Assistive Technology: Instruction on using screen-reading or magnification software on computers, as well as accessibility features available on mobile devices; and Youth Services: Internships and job training for young adults 14–21 years old, as well as pre-college programs to prepare high-school students for life’s next steps.

Slide 5: Four more columns highlight VISIONS services. Text reads, VISIONS Center on Aging: Programs and services designed for adults ages 60 or older, including free meals on weekdays, benefits counseling, health-focused activities, support groups, classes and workshops, social activities, and mail reading; Unpaid Caregiver Support: Free resources and support for caregivers assisting visually impaired and blind older adults (60+), and visually impaired grandparents (55+) who serve as the primary caregiver to a child under 18 years old; Community Outreach: Presentations and staffing events to help raise awareness of the needs and abilities of people with visual impairments; as well as information and referrals through Blindline®; and Short Term Residential Training: Residential, short-term training in vision rehabilitation, job training, and assistive technology for individuals and families, held at VCB and the VRC.

Slide 6: Three columns highlight the number of participants VISIONS served. Text reads, 5,404: Community Services, Vision Rehabilitation & Workforce Development; 1,152: Community Services, Vision Rehabilitation & Workforce Development; and 350: Community Services, Vision Rehabilitation & Workforce Development.

Slide 7: On the left, text reads, VISIONS has been serving the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired and their families for 95 Years! VISIONS has expanded its service offerings, launched VISIONS Vocational Rehabilitation Center (VRC), and remains a leader in vision rehabilitation in New York. VISIONS has an active Board of Directors, an endowment that is carefully managed to meet current and future needs, along with generous donors, foundations, grants, and corporate sponsors. On the right, a donut chart highlighting revenue sources. 45% investment income, 43% government, 11% contributions and bequests, and 1% special events.

Slide 8: On the left, text reads, In Fiscal Year 2020, VISIONS maintained an industry-leading 11% overhead in actual spending. The remaining 89% was spent providing, expanding, and enhancing needed programs and services for our participants. Below, a table highlighting VISIONS expenses, and to the right, a donut chart highlighting the same thing. Community Services: $4,906,239, 47.39%. VCB: $2,687,056, 25.95%. VISIONS at Selis Manor: $1,582,753, 15.29%. Program services total: $9,176,048, 88.63%. Management and General: $833,996, 8.06%. Fundraising: $343,283, 3.31%. Supporting services total: $1,777,279, 11.37%. Total: $10,353,327

Slide 9: A bar graph highlighting VISIONS growth. A Bar graph shows 10 fiscal years of growth. Each bar contains four colors: Red for government grants, orange for investment income, yellow for foundations and corporation contributions, and green for other income. FY2012: Government: $2,288,352, Investment Income: $2,702,503, Foundations: $978,800, Other: $485,000, Total: $6,454,655. FY2013: Government: $2,598,852, Investment Income: $2,615,472, Foundations: $950,000, Other: $552,500, Total: $6,716,824. FY2014: Government: $2,619,852, Investment Income: $2,743,680, Foundations: $1,122,000, Other: $376,500, Total: $6,862,032. FY2015: Government: $2,929,576, Investment Income: $2,983,777, Foundations: $947,500, Other: $ $570,500, Total: $7,431,353. FY2016: Government: $3,112,207, Investment Income: $3,414,482, Foundations: $959,000, Other: $1 $589,000, Total: $8,074,689. FY2017: Government: $3,094,502, Investment Income: $3,583,424, Foundations: $863,500, Other: $ $507,360, Total: $8,048,786. FY2018: Government: $4,375,975, Investment Income: $3,604,871, Foundations: $945,500, Other: $1 $411,000, Total: $9,337,346. FY2019: Government: $4,903,669, Investment Income: $3,996,996, Foundations: $1,028,100, Other: $ $352,200, Total: $10,280,965. FY2020: Government: $5,098,451, Investment Income: $4,575,566, Foundations: $1,273,800, Other: $359,280, Total: $10,664,972. FY2021: Government: $4,631,111, Investment Income: $2,638,451, Foundations: $1,002,010, Other: $366,000, Total: $10,574,687.

Slide 10: On the left, text reads, “Participants are at the forefront of everything VISIONS does. Every decision we make as an organization, business or otherwise, must first be driven by the needs and interests of those we serve.” – Nancy D. Miller, CEO. Below, more text reads, Scan the QR code to see VISIONS full organizational chart, or visit http://bit.ly/2DFX4mr. On the right, a graphic shows the top of VISIONS organization chart. Participants sit at the very top, below, Board of Directors, below, Executive Director and CEO, below, executive team.

Slide 11: On the left, text reads, In 2020, VISIONS had a 7% staff turnover rate, much lower than the NYC average for competing nonprofits! To further strengthen this commitment, the Harriette K. and Burton M. Strauss Jr. Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance for employees who are enrolled at a college or university. This year’s recipients are pursuing degrees in the fields of Orientation and Mobility instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy at Hunter College. On the right, photos of participants receiving services in the field, and in a technology lab, along with a photo of staff members receiving awards.

Slide 12: Text reads, How to Support VISIONS. Make a Donation Whether you give us an individual donation, or a lead to a Foundation Grant, or Corporate Sponsor that is aligned with our mission, every effort helps! Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Ways to Donate: Online, at:visionsvcb.org/donate, Donor Advised Fund, Gifts of Appreciated Stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and Include VISIONS in your will. If you would like to consider naming VISIONS in your will, or making a testamentary gift, simply share the following information with your lawyer: Legal Name: VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Tax ID: 13-1624210. Address: 500 Greenwich Street, Suite 302, New York, NY 10013. If you have any questions about ways to donate or know of individuals, foundations, or corporations interested in supporting VISIONS, please contact Russell C. Martello, Chief Development Officer at rmartello@visionsvcb.org.

Annual Report Designs

View full reports here: https://visionsvcb.org/about/annual-report/

Mockups of VISIONS annual reports, each featuring a stunning black and white photo of participants receiving services from VISIONS. On each one, large bold text reads,

Seasonal Appeal Letter Campaigns with Video Testimonials

Mockups of different designs of VISIONS seasonal mail appeals, featuring stories of families who benefitted from the services they received.