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Ablelight Inc

EIN 39-0806446 · Watertown, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GUIDED BY CHRISTIAN LOVE, ABLELIGHT IS DEDICATED TO FULLY SUPPORTING AND ADVOCATING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ENSURING THEY EXPERIENCE SECURITY, DIGNITY, AND HOPE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES.

Income
$107.1 million
Spending
$111.9 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
2,043
Volunteers
325
Highest pay
$686,376, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $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 August 31, 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 (1)
  1. $94.6 million spent. ABLELIGHT PROVIDES SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE PERSON AND PROMOTE THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. GUIDED BY CHRISTIAN LOVE AND DRAWING FROM OVER 120 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, ABLELIGHT STRIVES TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL CHALLENGES FACED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. ABLELIGHT PROGRAMS AIM TO EMPOWER AND SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY, USING A WHOLISTIC APPROACH TO OVERCOME THE BARRIERS OF SOCIAL CHALLENGES AND PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, ABLELIGHT ASPIRES TO CREATE LASTING POSITIVE CHANGE, CHAMPIONING A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY, CAN THRIVE AND CONTRIBUTE MEANINGFULLY TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. ABLELIGHT PROVIDES SAFE AND LOVING HOMES, INCLUDING GROUP HOMES, WITH CARE PROVIDED BY DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS. ABLELIGHT ALSO PROVIDES SHARED LIVING SERVICES, WHICH MATCH A FAMILY WITH A PERSON WHO HAS A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. WITH ABLELIGHT'S GUIDANCE, THE PROVIDER SUPPORTS THEIR DAILY LIVING NEEDS BY RESIDING TOGETHER. SUPPORTED LIVING IS ANOTHER OPTION OFFERED BY ABLELIGHT, DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY WHILE ENSURING THEY RECEIVE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN THEIR SENSE OF SECURITY AND WELL-BEING. OTHER SERVICES OFFERED BY ABLELIGHT INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES THAT HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES DEVELOP THE SKILLS NEEDED TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT. THESE SERVICES TAKE MANY FORMS. ABLELIGHT OPERATES DAY PROGRAMS WHERE PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CAN ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY, DEVELOP MEANINGFUL SKILLS AND BUILD FRIENDSHIPS. FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH A LOVED ONE'S BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES, ABLELIGHT OFFERS THERAPISTS THROUGH ITS BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND SOLUTIONS. ABLELIGHT ALSO PROVIDES DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH AND OFFERS DISABILITY AWARENESS MATERIALS. ABLELIGHT RELIES ON AN ACTIVE CORPS OF VOLUNTEERS TO EXTEND ITS REACH. ABLELIGHT OPERATES THRIFT SHOPS THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER EMPLOYERS. THE STORES, STAFFED BY EMPLOYEES (A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF WHOM HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES) AND VOLUNTEERS, PROVIDE AFFORDABLE SHOPPING OPTIONS TO FAMILIES AND TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO GIVE BACK.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 August 1937.

    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.