The Lighthouse Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION IS A CHRISTIAN OUTREACH ORGANIZATION MEETING THE NEEDS OF IMPOVERISHED FAMILIES IN NORTHERN ALLEGHENY AND BUTLER COUNTIES. THE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION PROVIDES BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS FOOD AND SHELTER, AND TRANSITIONAL AND INTERIM HOUSING. THE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY WHICH INCLUDE: LIGHTHOUSE CAR CONNECTION, FAITH BASED JOB TRAINING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, COMPUTER SKILLS, AND PARENTING CLASSES. THE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION DELIVERS HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS AND MINISTRIES THAT OFFER PEOPLE HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE AND THAT RESULT IN POSITIVE LIFE CHANGES.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 25 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $89,802, executive di
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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 25.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $197,389 spent. FOOD BANK - THE FOUNDATION OBTAINS FOOD FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNEMPLOYED AND OTHER NEEDY INDIVIDUALS IN THE LOCAL AREA. THE FOOD BANK SERVED A TOTAL OF 6,450 PEOPLE IN ALLEGHENY AND BUTLER COUNTIES IN 2024.
- $430,292 spent. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING - THE FOUNDATION OPERATES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FACILITIES: THE PENNEY HOUSE FOR MALES AGES 18-29, THE BLANCHARD HOUSE FOR FEMALES AGES 18-29, THE KAUFMAN DRIVE TOWNHOMES AND ARMOUR APARTMENTS FOR HOMELESS, SINGLE PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, AND JOHNNY'S PLACE FOR MEN FOCUSED ON RECOVERING FROM ADDICTION. A TOTAL OF 60 PEOPLE WERE HOUSED IN 2024, AND 29 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM, CLASSES ARE OFFERED ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, JOB SKILL DEVELOPMENT, COMPUTER LITERACY, SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, HOME RESPONSIBILITY AND PARENTING SKILLS.
- $190,095 spent. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OPERATES VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS COMPUTER COURSES FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
- THE FOUNDATION ALSO OPERATES VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS COMPUTER COURSES FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.