Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans

Analysis

Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans is a registered charity in United States, based in New Orleans, LA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 1938, 88 years ago. Its declared purposes cover diseases, disorders and medical disciplines, which this site groups under health and saving lives. 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 in New Orleans reported income of $5.9m and spending of $9.2m, spending 156% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $9.4m to $5.9m (-38%), an average of -11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income dropped by 27%. Over the whole period it spent 121% of the income it received.

Among 40,470 United States charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans sits at the 80th percentile: it is larger than about 80% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile, and in the 93rd percentile within LA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Cal Voices ($5.9m), Gower Convalescent Center Inc ($5.9m) and Palouse River Counseling Center ($5.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 21% and program service revenue 75% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $286k (3.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $2.8m. At year end it held assets of $15.1m against liabilities of $4.8m, net assets of $10.3m. It reported 129 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.