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Light of Life Ministries Inc

EIN 25-1056389 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIGHT OF LIFE TRANSFORMS LIVES THROUGH THE LOVE OF CHRIST BY PROVIDING FOOD, SHELTER, AND HOPE TO MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY, OR ADDICTION TO RESTORE THEM AS HEALTHY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$14.1 million
Spending
$14.5 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
19.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
92
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$163,362, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% 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 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 September 30, 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. $5.7 million spent. FOOD & EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAMTHIS PROGRAM INCLUDES STREET HOMELESS OUTREACH, EMERGENCY SHELTER, AND MEAL MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY OUTREACH. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER HOLDS UP TO TWENTY-FOUR MEN (MORE IF ANY OF THE 12 HOUSING & EMPLOYMENT OR SHELTER PLUS BEDS ARE OPEN). MEN AND WOMEN CAN COME FOR DINNER, A SHOWER, A BED FOR THE NIGHT AND BREAKFAST THE NEXT MORNING. THEY ALSO RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT. THE SHELTER PLUS PROGRAM ADDS CASE MANAGEMENT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE READY TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES. MEAL MINISTRY ENCOMPASSES THE MISSION SERVING BREAKFAST AND DINNER TO MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS TO THE RESIDENTS. AT THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, VOLUNTEERS TAKE MEALS PREPARED AT THE MISSION TO SENIOR CENTERS IN THE COMMUNITY. AN AVERAGE OF 285 MEALS IS SERVED EVERY DAY. THE OUTREACH SERVICES INCLUDE A FOOD PANTRY, FREE STORE FOR CLOTHING AND OTHER ESSENTIALS, AND A FURNITURE BANK. HELD BOTH MORNINGS AND EVENINGS DAILY, LIGHT OF LIFE'S CHAPEL MINISTRY DELIVERS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO MEN AND WOMEN IN DIRE NEED OF HOPE.
  2. $2.1 million spent. MEN'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMTHIS PROGRAM INCLUDES THE HIGH COMMITMENT SHELTER, FOR MEN WHO ARE STABLE ENOUGH TO WORK AND COMMIT TO 90 DAYS OF CASE MANAGEMENT, AND TWO 12 TO 18-MONTH RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, THE MEN'S LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAM AND THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM. RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH SLEEPING QUARTERS AND A PRIVATE STORAGE AREA FOR HIS BELONGINGS. MEN'S PROGRAMS INCLUDE CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT, MEDICAL SERVICES, HOUSING, COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, CAREER ADVANCEMENT, AND OTHER SERVICES. COMPONENTS INCLUDE ADDICTION RECOVERY, EDUCATION, CAREER TRAINING, LIFE SKILLS, CREATIVE LEARNING, TREATMENT REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH, ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLS, BIBLE STUDIES AND OTHER CHRIST-CENTERED SERVICES. UP TO 32 MEN ARE IN THE PROGRAM AT ONE TIME.
  3. $2.0 million spent. WOMEN & CHILDREN'S PROGRAMSINGLE MOTHERS IN RECOVERY AND THEIR CHILDREN CAN COMMIT TO THIS 18-24 MONTH RECOVERY PROGRAM. COMPONENTS INCLUDE ADDICTION RECOVERY, EDUCATION, LIFE SKILLS, TREATMENT REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH, ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLS, BIBLE STUDIES, AND OTHER CHRIST-CENTERED SERVICES. ALSO OFFERED ARE SUBSIDIZED APARTMENTS, ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORTATION, HELP WITH HOUSEHOLD NEEDS AND PARENTING SKILLS. A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE CHILDREN AS WELL AS SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND MEALS. UP TO 30 WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN THE PROGRAM AT ONE TIME.FOR WOMEN WITHOUT CHILDREN, WE HAVE THE SISTERS' RECOVERY HOUSE, WITH TEN FURNISHED APARTMENTS WHERE THE WOMEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 November 6, 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 September 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 March 1953.

    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 November 4, 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.