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South Oakland Shelter

EIN 38-2847849 · Pontiac, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIGHTHOUSE MI ENDEAVORS TO BUILD EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES AND ALLEVIATE POVERTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AND IN SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$11.9 million
Spending
$11.6 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
92
Volunteers
18,245
Highest pay
$267,342, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% 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 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 19 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 (3)
  1. $4.6 million spent. LIGHTHOUSE ADDRESSES THE IMMEDIATE, EMERGENCY NEEDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS BY QUICKLY PROVIDING ACCESS TO FLEXIBLE, CLIENT-CENTERED, AND HOUSING-FIRST PROGRAMMING. LIGHTHOUSE'S EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT INCLUDES OUR AGENCY FAMILY SHELTER AS WELL AND VARIOUS RESOURCES TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS RESOLVE FINANCIAL CRISES. LIGHTHOUSE'S EMERGENCY SHELTER IS OAKLAND COUNTY'S ONLY DEDICATED FAMILY SHELTER SERVING FAMILIES OF ALL TYPES AND MAKEUPS AND SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONS OVER 70% INTO HOUSING. THROUGH VARIOUS FUNDING STREAMS, LIGHTHOUSE ADDRESSES AND RESOLVES IMMEDIATE CRISES BY PROVIDING A VARIETY OF SERVICES INCLUDING: EVICTION PREVENTION, EMERGENCY UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT SHUT-OFFS, AND RAPID RE-HOUSING ASSISTANCE. LIGHTHOUSE ALSO PROVIDES EMERGENCY FOOD TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED.
  2. $2.4 million spent. LIGHTHOUSE'S STABILITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HAVE LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT WITH THE HOUSEHOLDS SERVED. THIS INCLUDES: TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT PRIORITIZE HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS; IN-HOME CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ONE YEAR FOR RECENTLY RE-HOUSED HOUSEHOLDS; AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY COACHING AND SERVICES.
  3. $1.3 million spent. LIGHTHOUSE ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS YOUTH WITH VARIOUS PROGRAMS SUCH AS SANCTUARY FOR YOUTH 10-17 IN CRISIS, A STEP FORWARD FOR 16-17 YRS, AND THE GRADUATED APARTMENT PROGRAM FOR AGES 18-24 YEARS OLD.

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 May 1989.

    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.