Lighthouse for the Blind

Analysis

Lighthouse for the Blind is a registered charity in United States, based in Saint Louis, MO. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1938, 88 years ago. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Lighthouse for the Blind reported income of $31.2m and spending of $31.0m, spending 99% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $29.3m to $31.2m (+6.4%), an average of +1.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 15%. Over the whole period it spent 95% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Lighthouse for the Blind sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within MO. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Bipartisan Policy Center Inc ($31.2m), Fund for Public Schools Inc ($31.2m) and Tri State Food Bank Inc ($31.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 0.4% and program service revenue 85% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $713k (2.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $5.3m. At year end it held assets of $124.5m against liabilities of $4.2m, net assets of $120.4m. It reported 168 employees.