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Guiding Light Academy

EIN 46-1363007 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak22 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Mission / Objectives Guiding Light aims to provide a space where individuals are able to strengthen their bond with Allah (God), understanding & implementing the word of Allah (God) and the traditions of the final Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah (God) be upon him).In addition, Guiding Light works to strengthen the social fabric of the western Muslim community by providing a religiously inspired gathering space for Muslims of all ages and backgrounds.Achievements2024, our 12th year in operation, was filled with continued progressive growth. 1) Hifdh Program: In September 2014, we began a full-time Hifdh (memorization of the Quran) program at Guiding Light. We currently have ten full-time students who attend Monday to Friday . In addition we have now graduated some of our students from the program and continue to graduate 3 students on an average a year. (subject to successful memorization)2) Maktab Program (Quran Classes): Our weekday evening Quran recitation classes for children

Income
$557,444
Spending
$231,747
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
74.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 74.8 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 58% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. $231,747 spent. "ALLAH GUIDES TO HIS LIGHT WHOM HE WILLS" (QURAAN 24:35) THIS VERSE IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND OUR NAME, GUIDING LIGHT. OUR MISSION IS TO ILLUMINATE A PATH TO ALLAH (GOD) WITH THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY QUARAN AND THE RADIANT SUNNAH (PROPHETIC TRADITION).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 November 6, 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 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 March 2014.

    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 November 4, 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.