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SUN SOUNDS FOUNDATION

TEMPE, AZ · EIN 860906022 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE A110 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · sunsounds.org
revenue
$127K
expenses
$111K
net assets
$217K
employees
0
volunteers
70
program ratio
94%
mission · from form 990

FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE WORK OF SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA RADIO, AN OUTREACH SERVICE OF RIO SALADO COLLEGE, ALLOWING VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS ACCESS TO AUDITORY VERISONS OF PRINT MEDIA IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

profile · synthesized from sources

Sun Sounds of Arizona provides accessible media and information services for people who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled. The organization operates a radio reading service that converts printed materials into audio format, delivering news, books, and other content to listeners. Based in Phoenix, it serves individuals across Arizona through specialized technology and partnerships with national networks.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library Partnership
Collaborates with the regional library of the National Library Service to provide free braille and audio materials to eligible borrowers
NFB-Newsline Access
Offers toll-free audio access to over 200 national and international newspapers in English and Spanish for eligible users
Radio Reading Service
Provides audio access to newspapers, magazines, and books for blind and print-disabled individuals through a dedicated broadcast and telephone access system
activities · 4 clusters

what they do

  • Audio-Described Media and Accessible Broadcast Information 5 activities
    • Accessible Broadcast Scheduling and Information
      Offers broadcast schedules and updated programming information in multiple accessible formats, including large print, audio CD, Braille, and on-demand audio online, ensuring accessibility for users with print disabilities.
    • Accessible Broadcast Scheduling and Information
      Offers broadcast schedules and updated programming information in accessible formats including large print, audio CD, Braille, and on-demand audio online to support listeners with print disabilities.
    • Audio Reading Service for Print Disabilities
      Provides 24/7 audio broadcasts of over 200 local and national publications from studios in Tempe, Flagstaff, and Tucson, serving individuals who cannot read print. Services are accessible via website, TuneIn Radio, Smart Home Devices, and the Sero app, with expanded access in hospitals and residential facilities across Arizona.
    • Audio-Described Movies and Special Programming
      Broadcasts DVS (Descriptive Video Service) movies weekly on Fridays at 6 PM and monthly on the first Saturday at 8 PM, providing audio-described content for visually impaired audiences.
    • Audio-Described Movies and Special Programming (DVS)
      Broadcasts DVS (Descriptive Video Service) movies weekly on Fridays at 6 PM and monthly on the first Saturday at 8 PM, providing audio-described content for visually impaired audiences.
  • Vehicle Donation Program Management 1 activity
    • Vehicle Donation and Sales Program
      Operates a vehicle donation program that includes pickup services for donated vehicles, repairs to maximize resale value, direct sales to the public, and facilitation of private sales with tax receipt issuance.
  • Volunteer Mobilization & Management 1 activity
    • Volunteer Orientation for Affiliate Volunteers
      Conducts volunteer orientations at Rio Salado College for Tempe affiliate volunteers to support program operations.
  • Uncategorized 6 activities
    • Accessible Broadcast Scheduling
      Provides broadcast schedules in multiple accessible formats, including large print, audio CD, Braille, and on-demand online audio versions.
    • Audio Access Services in Institutional Settings
      Provides audio access services to individuals with print disabilities in hospitals and residential facilities across Arizona.
    • Audio Broadcast of Publications for Print-Disabled Individuals
      Operates 24/7 audio broadcasts of over 200 local and national publications from studios in Tempe, Flagstaff, and Tucson, serving individuals who cannot read print due to visual or physical disabilities.
    • Nationwide Digital Access to Audio Services
      Offers nationwide access to its audio programming through its website, TuneIn Radio, Smart Home Devices, and the Sero app for individuals with print disabilities across the United States.
    • Vehicle Donation and Sales Program
      Operates a vehicle donation program that includes pickup services, repairs to maximize resale value, direct sales to the public, and issuance of tax receipts to donors.
    • Volunteer Orientation for Affiliate Volunteers
      Conducts volunteer orientations at Rio Salado College for volunteers supporting the Tempe affiliate.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$127K
Contributions & grants$98K77%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$28K22%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$111K
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$103K
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$221K
Cash$36K
Investments$185K
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$217K
Liquid reserves23.8 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +104.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

board members · 7
  • ANDREA PASQUALE — SECRETARY
  • DEE FUERST — DIRECTOR UNTIL 10/31/21
  • DIANE SCHOOLITZ — DIRECTOR
  • JIM McMAHON — TREASURER
  • JOYCE VESPER — DIRECTOR
  • NEIL CHITEL — PRESIDENT
  • SUSAN DESPARTE — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 53

who they work with

  • AARP Funder — Supporter of Sun Sounds' mission.
  • Ability360 Partner — Listed as an Arizona resource for employment, independent living, and advocacy for people with disabilities.
  • American Council of the Blind Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • American Foundation for the Blind Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • American Printing House for the Blind Partner — Listed as a resource for catalogues and assistive technology, providing commercial Braille production and adapted educational and daily living products.
  • American Thermoform Corporation Partner — Listed as a resource for catalogues and assistive technology, providing printers, embossers, translation software, and other Braille supplies.
  • Arizona Bridge to Independent Living Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Partner — Listed as an Arizona resource providing assistive technology, counseling, orientation and mobility training, and social recreation services for adults who are legally blind or visually impaired.
  • Arizona Council of the Blind Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • Arizona Department of Economic Security: Rehabilitation Services Administration Partner — Listed as an Arizona resource providing vocational rehabilitation services for people living with disabilities and programs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition Partner — Listed as an Arizona resource.
  • Arizona Governor's Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment Partner — Listed as an Arizona resource.
  • Arizona Lions Clubs Funder — Supporter of Sun Sounds' mission.
  • Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind Partner — Listed as an Arizona resource for educating children and youth.
  • Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) Partner — Listed as an Arizona resource that promotes awareness, access, and acquisition of assistive technology for persons living with disabilities.
  • Blind Mice Mart Partner — Listed as a resource for catalogues and assistive technology, providing retail accessible products.
  • Blinded Veterans Association Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • Camp Abilities Four Corners Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • Chandler Sunbirds Lions Funder — Supporter of Sun Sounds' mission.
  • Consumer Advocacy and Information Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • Council of Citizens with low Vision International Partner — Listed as an advocacy and support organization resource for people living with disabilities.
  • Downtown Tucson Lions Funder — Supporter of Sun Sounds' mission.
  • Evermor Foundation Funder — Supporter of Sun Sounds' mission.
  • Flagstaff Arts Council Funder — Supporter of Sun Sounds' mission.
  • Friends of Public Radio Arizona Partner — Receives IRA charitable rollover gifts on behalf of Sun Sounds of Arizona.
  • Independent Living Aids Partner — Listed as a resource for catalogues and assistive technology, providing low vision aids for independent living.
  • Intel Funder — Supporter of Sun Sounds' mission.
  • LS and S Partner — Listed as a resource for catalogues and assistive technology, specializing in products for the blind, visually impaired, deaf, and hard of hearing.
  • Maricopa Community Colleges Partner — Collaborates with Sun Sounds of Arizona, as indicated by logo co-display
+ 23 more