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Passes our checks

The Lighthouse Foundation

EIN 25-1547324 · Valencia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% 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 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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 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)
  1. $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.
  2. $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.
  3. $190,095 spent. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OPERATES VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS COMPUTER COURSES FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
  4. 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

  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 2024.

    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 December 1987.

    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.