The City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 46% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS RESTORE COMMUNITIES. THROUGH RELATIONAL SERVICE AND DIGNIFIED HOUSING SOLUTIONS, WE WORK TO HELP PEOPLE MOVE FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING.
- Income
- $9.3 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 46%
- Reserves
- 7.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 5,666
- Highest pay
- $90,000, executive director
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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 89% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1546% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $77,104 spent. NIGHT LIGHT TULSA CONTINUES EVERY THURSDAY UNDER A DOWNTOWN BRIDGE, OFFERING MEALS, CLOTHING, HAIRCUTS, BOOKS, AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS, ALONGSIDE SNAP ENROLLMENT, ID VOUCHERS, BUS TOKENS, AND HMIS/HOUSING SYSTEM ACCESS. IN 2025, WE SERVED 19,280 MEALS ACROSS 49 NIGHTS, SERVING A TOTAL OF 10,910 GUESTS.
- $17,515 spent. CITY LIGHTS VILLAGE WILL BE A 75-HOME PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COMMUNITY FEATURING A COMMUNITY CENTER, GARDEN, REFLECTION SPACES, AND ROBUST WRAPAROUND SERVICES. ON-SITE STAFF WILL PROVIDE HOUSING STABILITY SUPPORT, FINANCIAL COACHING, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, FOOD SECURITY ASSISTANCE, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. INFRASTRUCTURE IS COMPLETE, CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY, AND MOVE-INS ARE PROJECTED FOR AUGUST 2026.
- $14,246 spent. HOUSING STABILITY SUPPORTS 60 FORMERLY HOMELESS RESIDENTS WITH ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT, MONTHLY CHECK-INS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, FOOD AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, AND MEDIATION WITH LANDLORDS. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM ACHIEVED A 96% HOUSING STABILITY RATE, WITH 98% OF CLIENTS REPORTING THEY HAD A RELIABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM. THE TEAM ALSO PREVENTED 30 EVICTIONS AND PROVIDED HOUSING NAVIGATION TO AN ADDITIONAL 10 PEOPLE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
- $2,502 spent. MOBILE OUTREACH & EMERGENCY POP-UP SHELTERS PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT DURING EXTREME WEATHER. TEAMS DELIVER MEALS, SUPPLIES, AND CONNECTION TO PEOPLE IN ENCAMPMENTS AND ON THE STREETS. OVER THE LAST TWO WINTERS, OUR POP-UP SHELTERSOPERATED WITH THE TULSA DAY CENTERPROVIDED SAFE, WARM REFUGE FOR MORE THAN 400 INDIVIDUALS.
- $364,797 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
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
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 November 6, 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 2025.
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 December 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 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.