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Lighthouse of the Big Bend Inc

EIN 59-2288754 · Tallahassee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LIGHTHOUSE OF THE BIG BEND IS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH VISION LOSS IN THE BIG BEND AREA THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND EDUCATION.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
16
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$80,558, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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

    9 of 9 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING 5 PROGRAMS: (A) EARLY INTERVENTION/BLIND BABIES PROGRAM FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN BIRTH THROUGH AGE 6 TO FACILITATE THE ATTAINMENT OF CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, AT HOME, AND LATER IN LIFE; (B) TRANSITION PROGRAMS FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 14 UNTIL GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO TEACH VOCATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT LIVING GOALS EMPOWERING THEM TO BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT MEMBERS OF SOCIETY; (C) VOCATIONAL REHABILIATION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS SEEKING TO OBTAIN, RETAIN, OR REGAIN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT; (D) INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOMES, TRAVEL SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, JOB READINESS TRAINING, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING, ACCESS TECHNOLOGY TRAINING INCLUDING COMPUTERS, SMART PHONES, AND TABLETS, PERSONAL/HOME MANAGEMENT, ADAPTIVE KITCHEN SKILLS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS TRAINING (INLUDES BRAILLE, KEYBOARDING, WRITING SKILLS), MAGNIFICATION, LIGHTING, ECCENTRIC VIEWING, ADJUSTMENT TO BLINDNESS COUNSELING, AND SELF ADVOCACY TRAINING; (E) EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM CHILDREN'S PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGED 6-12 TO TEACH COMPENSATORY OR FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIC SKILLS INCLUDING COMMUINICATION MODES, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY, SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, RECREATION AND LEISURE SKILLS, CAREER EDUCATION, USE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND VISUAL EFFICIENCY SKILLS. SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING 5 PROGRAMS: (A) EARLY INTERVENTION/BLIND BABIES PROGRAM FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN BIRTH THROUGH AGE 6 TO FACILITATE THE ATTAINMENT OF CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, AT HOME, AND LATER IN LIFE; (B) TRANSITION PROGRAMS FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 14 UNTIL GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO TEACH VOCATIONAL AND INDEPENDENT LIVING GOALS EMPOWERING THEM TO BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT MEMBERS OF SOCIETY; (C) VOCATIONAL REHABILIATION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS SEEKING TO OBTAIN, RETAIN, OR REGAIN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT; (D) INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOMES, TRAVEL SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, JOB READINESS TRAINING, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING, ACCESS TECHNOLOGY TRAINING INCLUDING COMPUTERS, SMART PHONES, AND TABLETS, PERSONAL/HOME MANAGEMENT, ADAPTIVE KITCHEN SKILLS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS TRAINING (INLUDES BRAILLE, KEYBOARDING, WRITING SKILLS), MAGNIFICATION, LIGHTING, ECCENTRIC VIEWING, ADJUSTMENT TO BLINDNESS COUNSELING, AND SELF ADVOCACY TRAINING; (E) EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM CHILDREN'S PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGED 6-12 TO TEACH COMPENSATORY OR FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIC SKILLS INCLUDING COMMUINICATION MODES, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY, SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, RECREATION AND LEISURE SKILLS, CAREER EDUCATION, USE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND VISUAL EFFICIENCY SKILLS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 July 1983.

    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.