Beacon of Life

Analysis

Beacon of Life is a registered charity in United States, based in Des Moines, IA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1986, 40 years ago. Its declared purposes cover housing and shelter, which this site groups under housing and shelter. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Beacon of Life reported income of $591k and spending of $678k, spending 115% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $1.0m to $591k (-44%), an average of -13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2020, when income dropped by 52%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.

Among 15,864 United States charities whose main cause is housing and shelter and that reported income, Beacon of Life sits at the 61st percentile: it is larger than about 61% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 73rd percentile, and in the 75th percentile within IA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Edgemont Elms Housing Inc ($591k), Darke County Housing Corporation ($591k) and Robbinsdale Senior Housing Inc ($591k).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 56% and program service revenue 24% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $114k (17% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $195k. At year end it held assets of $979k against liabilities of $21k, net assets of $958k. It reported 14 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.