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Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind

EIN 53-0196609 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE IN THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AREA, AND NATIONWIDE WHERE APPROPRIATE, WITH PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION THAT ADVANCE THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO ATTAIN INDEPENDENT AND FULFILLING LIVES.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
49
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$192,430, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    0 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, 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 (6)
  1. $3.7 million spent. GOVERNMENT:COLUMBIA LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND'S (CLB) EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING DEPARTMENT ENSURES THAT ALL CONSUMERS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND WHO WANT TO BE EMPLOYED HAVE THE SKILLS, RESOURCES AND NECESSARY TRAINING TO OBTAIN A JOB AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THE WORKPLACE. CLB HIRES INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT THROUGH OUR CONTRACT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
  2. $327,871 spent. REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT:CLB OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED REASSERT CONTROL AND INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR LIVES. CONSUMERS DEVELOP SKILLS THAT ALLOW INDEPENDENT LIVING AT HOME, SCHOOL, WORK, AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $250,197 spent. PROGRAM SUPPORT:THIS DEPARTMENT PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO ALL OF THE PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, INTAKE AND ENTRY IN A CONSUMER DATABASE, ASSIGNMENT OF AUTHORIZATIONS, CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS, TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS, AND OTHER ADMINSTRATIVE DUTIES AS NEEDED.
  4. $113,998 spent. LOW VISION PROGRAM:COLUMBIA LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS WITH VISION LOSS TO MAXIMIZE THEIR REMAINING SIGHT AND MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE. OUR LOW-VISION EYE CARE SPECIALISTS ASSESS FUNCTIONAL VISION AND IDENTIFY CHALLENGES IN EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS READING, MOBILITY, AND PERSONAL CARE. BASED ON EACH PATIENT'S UNIQUE NEEDS, WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO CLINICAL EVALUATIONS, OPTICAL AIDS (INCLUDING ENHANCED LENSES, MAGNIFIERS, AND ADAPTIVE LIGHTING), AND ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES THAT SUPPORT CONTINUED WORK, LEARNING, AND SAFE INDEPENDENT LIVING. WHEN APPROPRIATE, THE LOW VISION CLINIC ALSO CONNECTS PATIENTS TO REHABILITATION SERVICES TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THEIR SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE.
  5. $19,681 spent. CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS:THESE PROGRAMS START AT BIRTH TO HELP BUILD THE SKILLS AND SELF-CONFIDENCE NECESSARY FOR FUTURE INDEPENDENCE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE ANNUAL EVENTS, BRAILLE BOOK CLUB, HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES, READING RALLY, SUMMER CAMPS, EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES, TEEN GROUPS AND PARENT WORKSHOPS.
  6. $5,944 spent. TECHNOLOGY TRAINING:COLUMBIA LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND PROVIDES ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH VISION LOSS COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, ACCESS INFORMATION, AND PERFORM DAILY TASKS INDEPENDENTLY. CONSUMERS RECEIVE PERSONALIZED ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY THE TOOLS AND FEATURES BEST SUITED TO THEIR NEEDS, FOLLOWED BY HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND PROFICIENCY. TRAINING INCLUDES THE USE OF ADAPTIVE SOFTWARE AND DEVICESSUCH AS SCREEN READERS, MAGNIFICATION PROGRAMS, AND WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BARRIERS, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, AND SUPPORT A SUCCESSFUL ADJUSTMENT TO BLINDNESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 February 1959.

    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.