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The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

EIN 36-2169139 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 1906, THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE IS A LEADER, INNOVATOR, AND ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, VETERANS AND THOSE WHO HAVE ADDITIONAL DISABILITIES. (CONTINUED IN SCHEDULE O)WE OFFER EXPERT LOW VISION CARE, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT, ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND MANY OTHER SERVICES THAT COMPRISE A BROAD SPECTRUM OF WRAP AROUND SUPPORT. AS A RESULT, OUR BROAD ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TOUCH EVERY LIFE STAGE. IN ADDITION, OUR PROGRAMS PROVIDE THE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT THAT OUR CLIENTS NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH, BUILD THEIR RESILIENCY, OVERCOME ISOLATION, AND LEAD MEANINGFUL LIVES.

Income
$60.1 million
Spending
$54.1 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
1,170
Volunteers
117
Highest pay
$671,160, president & ceo

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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

    27 of 28 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 June 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 (4)
  1. $31.3 million spent. THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE CONTACT CENTERS PROVIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND STATE AGENCIES, CREATING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, HAVE DISABILITIES, OR ARE VETERANS.
  2. $3.3 million spent. THE SANDY AND RICK FORSYTHE CENTER FOR COMPREHENSIVE VISION CARE, THE BERGMAN INSTITUTE FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT, THE PANGERE PARTNERSHIP FOR INHERITED RETINAL DISEASES, AND THE HILTON CENTER FOR PROSTHETIC VISION REHABILITATION PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC, REHABILITATIVE, PSYCHOLOGICAL, CLINICAL OPTOMETRIC, MOBILITY, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, AND RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS OF ALL AGES AT THE LIGHTHOUSE AND AT A NUMBER OF SATELLITE LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CHICAGO LAND AREA. DOCTORS AND THERAPISTS ARE SPECIFICALLY TRAINED IN THE FIELD OF LOW VISION.
  3. $3.6 million spent. PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH INCLUDE: THE EARLY INTERVENTION/ENRICHMENT, THE CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT CENTER, AND THE YOUTH TRANSITIONS PROGRAM, ALL OF WHICH, TOGETHER, PROVIDE SERVICES AND/OR OPPORTUNITIES TO CHILDREN AND TEENS, WHO ARE MULTI-DISABLED, AND/OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND, FROM BIRTH THROUGH YOUNG ADULTHOOD, AS WELL AS TO THEIR FAMILIES.
  4. $5.3 million spent. THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS CENTER FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IS ADMINISTERED BY THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE AND FUNDED THROUGH THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THIS PROGRAM ALSO RECEIVES AN IN-KIND GRANT FROM THE AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND. INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES INCLUDE PROGRAMS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE INDEPENDENT LIVING FUNCTIONS IN THE HOME, WORKPLACE AND COMMUNITY AT LARGE. LIGHTHOUSE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES/VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND, LOW VISION, OTHER DISABILITIES OR VETERANS AS THEY PREPARE FOR AND SECURE EMPLOYMENT. THE FORSYTHE ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER PROVIDES BUSINESS STARTUP EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED WHO WANT TO TURN THEIR PRODUCT OR SERVICE IDEA INTO A REAL BUSINESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 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 June 2021.

    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.