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Lighthouse Rescue Mission

EIN 03-0551530 · Tulare, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WE EMBRACE THE POOR AND HOMELESS WITH THE COMPASSION OF JESUS CHRIST, AS A BEACON OF HOPE AND HEALING FOR A CHANGED LIFE, HELPING THEM TO FIND THEIR WAY HOME.

Income
$952,786
Spending
$977,779
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
-8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 47%
Employees
28
Volunteers
50

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 164% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    9 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $351,634 spent. AT THE WOMEN'S SHELTER,WOMEN and CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED EMERGENCY AND SHORT TERM HOUSING. WOMEN WERE PROVIDED WITH CLASSES INCLUDING LIFE SKILLS AND PARENTING. ROOM AND BOARD SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ASSIST WOMEN UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR INDEPENDENT HOUSING.
  2. $351,633 spent. AT THE MENS SHELTER, TEMPORARY HOUSING AND ROOM AND BOARD SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO MEN UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR INDEPENDENT HOUSING.
  3. $217,839 spent. COLLETTE'S CLOSET THRIFT SHOP WAS OPENED TO PROVIDE RETAIL SERVICES TRAINING TO OUR GUESTS. THE SORTING FACILITY ALLOWS GUESTS TO GENERATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND CREATES A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL TASKS. IT ALSO PROVIDES AFFORDABLE HOUSEWARES AND CLOTHING TO LESS FORTUNATE, HOMELESS AND AT RISK IN OUR COMMUNITY. VOUCHERS FOR CLOTHING ARE DISTRIBUTED VARIOUS TIMES OF YEAR TO THE HOMELESS TO BE REDEEMED AT THE FACILITY.
  4. $41,163 spent. THE RECYCLING FACILITY WAS OPENED TO HELP CLEANUP THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
  5. $15,510 spent. LAWN CARE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ASSIST THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD MAINTAINENCE FOR THEIR PROPERTY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SKILLS AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ENTERING THE THE WORKFORCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.