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The Hope Light Foundation

EIN 20-4527582 · Hazelwood, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The primary purpose of the Foundation is to communicate cancer awareness information on all cancers in Illinois and Missouri to educate the general public and providers on all cancers signs and symptoms to promote early cancer detection and survivorship. Our primary focus is on rural and medically underserved communities with healthcare professional shortages. Our research includes identifying, evaluating and documenting cancer new case and death rates along with demographic and socioeconomic information to determine where to target outreach and awareness education in communities with the greatest need for help to fight cancer. We also maintain the Metropolis Lighthouse "Hope Light" that is the worlds only lighthouse designed, built and dedicated to the fight against cancer with a symbolic purpose to guide people to the Hope Light website to obtain cancer signs and symptoms with the hope of detecting cancer early when it is easier to treat and survive.

Income
$65,734
Spending
$68,008
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $260 spent. Worked with the University of Chicago Medicine and four local health departments to facilitate learning experiences that enabled healthcare workers to obtain knowledge, develop new skills and improve Hepatitis B disease awareness and prevention and conduct colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings. More than 1500 residents were reached through this program.
  2. $145 spent. Worked with University of Chicago Medicine and Cass County Health Department to develop and deploy a Flu/FIT program to increase CRC screening rates at flu vaccine events and other outreach activities. The program included encouraging event participants to take a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit home and return a stool sample to the Health Department for analysis and results follow-up. More than 500 residents participated in this program.
  3. $1,325 spent. Held our third annual Cancer Warriors Walk for Hope (CWWH) Health Resources Fair in Metropolis, Illinois in October. More than 200 residents attended.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2006.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.