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The Light House Inc

EIN 52-1671388 · Annapolis, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO REBUILD THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN NEED IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY THROUGH SERVICE AND COMPASSION BY PROVIDING SHELTER, PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, AND EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS AS THEY WORK TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
135
Volunteers
945
Highest pay
$158,101, dev./interim exe. director

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $2.4 million spent. EMERGENCY SHELTER - THE LIGHT HOUSE OPERATES A 24,000 SQUARE FOOT RESIDENTIAL LIVING FACILITY WHICH OPENED IN 2010. THE CUSTOM-DESIGNED FACILITY CAN HOUSE 15 WOMEN, 30 MEN AND FOUR FAMILIES WITH UP TO 15 CHILDREN. FOOD AND SHELTER ARE PROVIDED ALONG WITH ONSITE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, ADULT BASIC SKILLS/GED CLASSES, COMPUTER CLASSES, FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT, PARENTING CLASSES, AS WELL AS HOUSING AND JOB SEARCH SUPPORT. THE FACILITY HAS AN EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTER, A LIBRARY, COMMUNITY ROOM AND OUTDOOR SPACES INCLUDING A PLAYGROUND.
  2. $1.5 million spent. RESTAURANT OPERATIONS - THE LIGHT HOUSE BISTRO (THE "BISTRO") IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE RESTAURANT THAT SUPPORTS THE ONGOING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING PROGRAMS AT THE LIGHT HOUSE. IT IS A 50-SEAT FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT THAT PROVIDES TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE LIGHT HOUSE PROGRAMS. THE BISTRO, WHICH OPENED IN FEBRUARY OF 2017, IS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY OF THE FORMER SHELTER AT 202 WEST STREET IN ANNAPOLIS, MD. HOME TO THE BEST ADVANCED CULINARY TRAINING KITCHEN AND A FINE-DINING ATMOSPHERE, THE BISTRO PROVIDES STAFF WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN CULINARY AND/OR CUSTOMER SERVICE INDUSTRY SKILLS FROM PROFESSIONAL MANAGERS AND CHEFS. STAFF ARE ABLE TO GAIN THESE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHILE CONTINUING TO RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND WRAP-AROUND CARE. THE BISTRO PROVIDES REAL-WORLD WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE WITH EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS AND HELPS ENSURE THEIR SUCCESS AS THEY START THEIR CAREERS.
  3. $585,832 spent. FOOD PANTRY AND PREVENTION SERVICES - THE LIGHT HOUSE SAFE HARBOR RESOURCE CENTER (SHRC) SERVES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, NEWLY HOMELESS, OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. THE SHRC ALSO SERVES AS AN ENTRY POINT TO ADDITIONAL LIGHT HOUSE SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT/EMPLOYMENT AT THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, LIGHT HOUSE BISTRO AND EMERGENCY SHELTER. OUTREACH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO UNSHELTERED HOMELESS INCLUDING LAUNDRY, SHOWERS, ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, SNACKS AND DRINKS AND OTHER LIGHT HOUSE FOOD PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS CASE MANAGEMENT AND REFERRAL SERVICES. IN ADDITION, SHRC SERVES THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT FOCUSING ON EVICTION PREVENTION, HOMELESS DIVERSION SERVICES, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. CLIENTS ARE ALSO PROVIDED OTHER BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD PROGRAMS, MEALS, AND CLOTHING.THE LIGHT HOUSE OFFERS A VARIETY OF FOOD PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY WHO STRUGGLE WITH FOOD INSECURITY, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. THE LIGHT HOUSE PROVIDES PERISHABLE AND NON-PERISHABLE PANTRY ITEMS, FRESHLY PREPARED MEALS AND GRAB-AND-GO MEAL OPTIONS TO ENSURE THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED HAVE THE NUTRITIOUS FOOD REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THEMSELVES AND/OR THEIR FAMILIES. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE LIGHT HOUSE FOOD PROGRAMS PROVIDED OVER 86,500 MEALS, TOTAL UNBAGGED, PLUS CAFETERIA (HOT LUNCH, RESIDENT MEALS, ETC.) AND DISTRIBUTED OVER 124,000 POUNDS OF PERISHABLE AND NON-PERISHABLE PANTRY ITEMS.
  4. $566,684 spent. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING - THE LIGHT HOUSE OWNS AND OPERATES FIVE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT ANNAPOLIS, WHICH PROVIDES HOUSING OPTIONS FOR CLIENTS COMING OUT OF THE LIGHT HOUSE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH LIGHT HOUSE CASE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES TO GUIDE THEM TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE HOUSING. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROPERTIES INCLUDE 1) ONE PROPERTY PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FIVE WOMEN, 2) THREE PROPERTIES THAT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES, AND 3) ONE PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES FOUR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS FOR HOMELESS MEN.
  5. $421,368 spent. JOB TRAINING - THE LIGHT HOUSE BUILDING EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS TRAINING (BEST) JOB READINESS PROGRAM PREPARES PARTICIPANTS WITH THE MATERIALS AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE THEIR EMPLOYMENT GOALS. COHORTS ARE HOSTED AT THE 10 HUDSON FACILITY AND THE BISTRO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE RESTAURANT, AND ARE PROVIDED SOFT SKILLS, LIFE SKILLS, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS FOCUSED THROUGH THE LENS OF CULINARY TRAINING. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY A DYNAMIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM TO PROVIDE BOTH CRITICAL SUPPORTS AND INDUSTRY TRAINING, AS WELL AS BY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS. SPECIFICS OF THE CURRICULUM INCLUDE: RESUME DEVELOPMENT, INTERVIEW PREPARATION, EMPLOYMENT SEARCH COACHING, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, AND INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT TO ADDRESS EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS AND DEVELOP EMPLOYMENT GOALS. OFFERED CREDENTIALS INCLUDE SERVSAFE, TIPS, AND AN ARRAY OF SELF-MODULATED OPTIONS THROUGH OUR NATIONAL INDUSTRY PARTNER, RESTAURANT READY, RANGING FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE, TO KNIFE SKILLS, TO SOUS/EXECUTIVE CHEF TRAININGS. ADDITIONALLY, PAID CULINARY ARTS TRAINING IS AVAILABLE AT THE LIGHT HOUSE BISTRO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE RESTAURANT.

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 June 1990.

    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.