Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

What Blind Industries and Services of Maryland does

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, that delivers employment, education, and rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired individuals across the Mid-Atlantic. The organization operates across three functional pillars: BISM Employs (manufacturing of state products such as uniforms and trash can liners, federal Base Supply Center retail operations at military installations including Dover, Fort Knox, Raleigh, and Washington DC, and the ShopBISM e-commerce storefront); BISM Educates (workforce development through WRAP — Work Readiness Assessment Program — Pathways to Employment, and free monthly Job Readiness Seminars); and BISM Trains (the CORE residential program for adults, SAIL for seniors, and a layered youth track spanning ages 5-21 that includes SUPERNOVA, STAR Summer, Gold STAR, and NOVA).

BISM's underlying methodology is the Structured Discovery approach, a rehabilitation framework in which blind instructors teach non-visual techniques (Braille literacy, cane travel, assistive technology, cooking, home management) through direct experience rather than step-by-step visual instruction. The organization is ISO 9001:2015 certified for quality management and has run its Independence Training and Rehabilitation (ITR) program for 40 years. Reported program outcomes include 100% of first-year WRAP completers transitioning to competitive integrated employment and 62% of all WRAP completers achieving DORS case closure due to employment.

Revenue is generated through three streams: state contracts with the State of Maryland for manufactured products, federal government contracts through Base Supply Centers at military installations, and charitable donations from individuals and organizations. Programs are delivered at no cost to participants and are funded primarily through state grants and philanthropic giving. Marketing and donor engagement run through the Beyond Sight podcast, the Perspectives blog, the Compass newsletter, social media channels, and signature fundraising events such as the BISM Golf Classic.

Name

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

Legal name

BISM, Inc.

Website

https://bism.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides employment, workforce development, and rehabilitation training to blind and low-vision individuals in Maryland through manufacturing, military Base Supply Centers, and structured residential and youth programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: BISM generates revenue through state contracts for Maryland products and federal government contracts for military base supply centers. The organization manufactures and remanufactures products for government clients, including uniforms and industrial supplies.
2. Manufacturing Operations: Production floor operations that manufacture products including uniforms, trash can liners, and other goods. These operations support both government contracts and provide employment opportunities for blind individuals.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BISM relies on charitable donations from individuals and organizations to fund rehabilitation programs and training services not covered by government grants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides employment, rehabilitation training, and workforce development services for blind and visually impaired individuals. The organization manufactures products (uniforms, trash can liners, industrial supplies) for state and federal government contracts and operates Base Supply Centers at military installations, with revenue funding free training programs including the CORE residential program, WRAP job readiness, and youth and senior services.

Product overview

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is a nonprofit organization that operates as a multi-faceted service provider rather than a technology product company. Its offerings are organized into three main pillars: BISM Employs (manufacturing and employment programs including State Products, Federal Services, Base Supply Centers, and ShopBISM retail), BISM Educates (workforce development including WRAP, Pathways to Employment, and Job Readiness Seminars), and BISM Trains (life skills rehabilitation programs for all ages). The CORE Program serves as the flagship residential training offering for adults, while youth programs include Gold STAR, STAR Summer, SUPERNOVA, NOVA, and age-specific tracks (5-14 and 14-21). Senior programming is delivered through SAIL. The organization also provides content and community engagement through its Beyond Sight Podcast, Compass Newsletter, and Perspectives Blog. All programs are designed to empower blind and low-vision individuals to achieve independence through employment, education, and training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CORE (Comprehensive Orientation, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment) Program A year-long residential training program for blind adults aged 18 to 55 that teaches non-visual techniques for independence including Braille, cane travel, assistive technology, cooking, and home management.
• WRAP (Work Readiness Assessment Program) A workforce readiness program integrated with CORE that helps blind adults prepare for competitive integrated employment through monthly Job Readiness Seminars covering self-advocacy, resume writing, interview preparation, and networking.
• ITR (Independence Training and Rehabilitation) Program Core training program providing non-visual skills training including technology, travel, cooking, and job readiness for blind and low-vision individuals, operating for 40 years.
• Gold STAR Program Youth employment program for blind and low-vision teens that provides meaningful job experience and career exploration opportunities.
• STAR Summer Program Summer youth program for blind and low-vision young people offering training and employment preparation activities.
• SUPERNOVA Youth Program Youth program for blind and low-vision young people aged 14-21 providing training and development opportunities.
• NOVA: Navigating Our Vocational Aspirations Program giving blind high school students access to college exploration across Maryland.
• SAIL (Seniors Achieving Independent Living) Program for older adults who are blind or losing their sight, providing training in independent living skills.
• State Products Manufacturing Products manufactured, remanufactured, or assembled by blind and low-vision associates for the State of Maryland, including uniforms, trash can liners, and industrial supplies.
• Federal Services Services provided to federal government agencies, including military base supply operations.
• Base Supply Centers Military base supply centers operated by BISM that provide supplies and services to military installations including Dover (DE), Fort Knox (KY), and Raleigh (NC).
• ShopBISM Retail store (online and physical) selling products made by blind and low-vision associates, including paper products and other manufactured goods.
• Pathways to Employment Workforce development pathway helping blind individuals transition to employment through structured training.
• Job Readiness Seminars at BISM Monthly free seminars open to blind individuals working toward employment, covering topics from self-advocacy to financial literacy.
• Internship Program Quarterly internship program giving two blind individuals the opportunity to gain experience in BISM's world-class manufacturing and training facility over 120 days.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of WRAP completers in first year (2019-2020) went on to competitive integrated employment
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Federation of the Blind (NFB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeepening partnership with NFB for program development and advocacy. NFB is a leading organization advocating for the rights and opportunities of blind Americans. BISM works with NFB on training standards, shares resources, and participates in joint advocacy efforts.
• National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level affiliate of NFB with whom BISM collaborates on local advocacy, conferences, and community programs. BISM staff attend NFBMD conferences and participate in joint initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• SourceAmerica: AbilityOne central nonprofit agency that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities through federal contracts. Comparable in the federal contracting ecosystem rather than direct rehabilitation services.

Direct peers

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): National nonprofit that manufactures products and provides services employing people who are blind, and acts as the central agency for AbilityOne federal contracts. Most direct national counterpart to BISM's manufacturing-plus-employment model.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit providing manufacturing, rehabilitation, and employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Closely mirrors BISM's integrated manufacturing + rehabilitation operating model.
• NewView Oklahoma: Oklahoma nonprofit offering rehabilitation, employment, and Base Supply Center-style operations for people who are blind. Operates similar Base Supply Centers on military installations, making it a near-direct peer for federal contract and retail revenue.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indiana-based nonprofit serving people who are blind or visually impaired through rehabilitation, training, and employment programs including government-contract manufacturing. Directly comparable mission and revenue mix.
• Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Regional nonprofit providing rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and employment services for blind and visually impaired individuals. Comparable rehabilitation program design and workforce development emphasis.
• Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB): Virginia-based AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit employing people who are blind in manufacturing and Base Supply Center operations on military installations. Direct competitor for federal set-aside manufacturing and base retail contracts in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Emerging players

• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: National nonprofit focused on distance and online education for people with vision loss, including Braille, independent living, and adjustment training. Comparable training mission but delivered primarily through remote/online channels rather than residential programs.

Broad incumbents

• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit advocating for inclusion and equality for people with visual impairments, providing research, publications, and policy leadership. Touches BISM's mission space through advocacy and accessibility work but is not a direct service/employment peer.
• Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and support services for people with vision loss. Larger, more diversified portfolio than BISM but overlapping rehabilitation and employment-adjacent programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WeAreBISM
• Facebookfacebook.com/blind-industries-and-services-of-maryland-178809987200
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shopbism
• Instagraminstagram.com/wearebism
• Xx.com/bism_blind

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Blind Industries and Services of Maryland