Bens Lighthouse Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Service through the Arts to empower youth to find their light.
- Income
- $136,553
- Spending
- $211,895
- Reserves
- 8.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 55% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- $162,348 spent. The intent of The Isle of SkooTM program is to empower children and teens to develop the self-awareness, empathy, and social connections they need to feel included, accepted, and confident in themselves and their community. The Isle of SkooTM is an arts-based program that utilizes music, puppetry, and mentorship to teach self-awareness and coping skills to children ages 4 to 8 and teens, ages 12 -18. Our mentor-based model is used to develop a sense of connection between the mentor and the mentee and to the skills taught during the camp. The original puppetry, music and dance are used as teaching tools to convey the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and inclusion. Ben's Lighthouse offered three, week-long sessions of The Isle of SkooTM Summer Camp July 8-12, July 15-19, and July 22-26, 2024, respectively. The camp took place daily from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00 - 4:00, July 15 -19, 2024 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, CT. One hundred seventy-two area children were serviced by the summer camp in 2024. The program was facilitated by four adults, three puppeteers and a sound technician. See our website www.benslighthouse.org for more details.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.