PLATINUM2023

Christian Record Services, Inc.

aka Christian Record Services for the Blind, CRSB, National Camps for Blind Children   |   Lincoln, NE   |  http://www.christianrecord.org

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Mission

Empower people who are blind to engage their communities and embrace the Blessed Hope

Ruling year info

1980

President

Diane Thurber

Main address

PO Box 6097

Lincoln, NE 68506 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

47-0405439

NTEE code info

Blind/Visually Impaired Centers, Services (P86)

Recreational and Sporting Camps (Day, Overnight, etc.) (N20)

Religious Printing, Publishing (X83)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

According to the National Federation of the Blind, 93,000 blind or visually-impaired children live in the United States. The number of adults who are legally blind is estimated at 10 million, and that number will double over the next 30 years, based on data from the National Eye Institute. Christian Record Services for the Blind exists to offer free Christian reading materials and confidence-building camp experiences to people who are blind.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

National Camps for Blind Children

National Camps for Blind Children sponsors confidence-building camp experiences at established camp locations in the United States. Activities vary by location.

Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments
Adults

Books and magazines in Braille, large print, audio, and digital download.

Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments

Bible study courses available in Braille and large print

Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments

PhoneFaith is an outreach ministry for adults who are blind. Daily PhoneFaith dial-in presentations strive to inform, encourage, and inspire the mind, body, and spirit through mental health and wellness sessions, social meet-and-greet interactions, Bible games, prayer time, and more.

-Call PhoneFaith at 209-399-9465
-View PhoneFaith Calendar here: https://www.startmeeting.com/wall/christianrecord
-Download large print schedule here: PhoneFaith Schedule
-Download screen-reader compatible PDF here: PhoneFaith Schedule for Screen Readers
-Listen to previously recorded PhoneFaith programs by calling the playback line at 425-585-7012, access code 388 488 457#.

Population(s) Served

The Anne Lowe Scholarship is awarded to college students and is based on academic achievement, need, and goals for the future, which is supported through an essay, reference letters, a projected budget, and verification of blindness. Tom Lowe established the scholarship in 1989 in memory of his wife, Anne, who loved education and the mission of Christian Record Services. Donors may contribute to this scholarship specifically or arrange to set up an endowment of their own by talking with the Director of Mission Advancement at Christian Record Services.

Annual application deadline is April 15.
More information at: https://christianrecord.org/member-services/scholarship/

Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments
People with vision impairments

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance - Organization 2015

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of clients served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with vision impairments

Related Program

Reading Services

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Number of periodicals distributed

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with vision impairments

Related Program

Reading Services

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

The total number of resources delivered to members, including magazines, Bibles, Bible study lessons, library resources, and free books and materials, and available in audio, large print and braille.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Christian Record's Mission for Vision: Empower people who are blind to engage their communities and embrace the Blessed Hope

Christian Record Services, Inc. partners with individuals, churches, and organizations to provide free Christian resources and opportunities for people who are legally blind. The organization serves at the individual level and encourages church members and other interested individuals to find and befriend people who are blind and to introduce them to the organization's free services. On the local, state, and national levels, the organization produces and distributes information about free services as well as educates the public about the benefits of eye health. Christian Record staff presents information at public eye health awareness events, conventions for the blind community, and church events. Through word-of-mouth promotion by many volunteers, contacts through advertising, events, and expos, and referrals from existing clients, Christian Record offers the opportunity for individuals who are blind to enroll for free services and programs.

Through individual and business donors, Christian Record produces and distributes reading materials for its members and sponsors camps annually. Christian Record is the organization that first identified and fulfilled the need for wholesome, quality Braille magazines to people who are blind. Later, the organization created more programs and services to answer the need for enrichment, hope, confidence, and Christian fellowship.

Since 1899, over 500,000 people who are blind improved their lives because they received free services from Christian Record. Anyone who is legally blind can benefit from Christian Record's free services. Christian Record provides magazines, books, and Bibles in Braille, audio, large print, and digital download. National Camps for Blind Children, a Christian Record program, was originated in 1967 and has served thousands of children and adults through free confidence-building camp experiences. Through the years, Christian Record has worked to understand the needs of its members and endeavored to innovate to meet those needs.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback

Financials

Christian Record Services, Inc.
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Christian Record Services, Inc.

Board of directors
as of 06/21/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

G. Alexander Bryant

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

Term: 2020 - 2023

Diane Thurber

Christian Record Services

Gary Thurber

Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists

Elaine Hagele

Retired Administrator

Topher Thompson

No Affiliation

Vinita Sauder

Union College

G Alex Bryant

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

Dan Carlson

Financial Advisor

Larry Romrell

Businessman

Dexter Thomas

Pastor/Speaker

Randy Robinson

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

Tony Anobile

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

Matthew Orian

Businessman

Kyoshin Ahn

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

Al Burdick

Retired

Deborah Whitfield

Minner Labrador

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 6/8/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 06/08/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.