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Mana-Sota Lighthouse for the Blind Inc

EIN 59-2591136 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIGHTHOUSE VISION LOSS EDUCATION CENTER'S MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER THOSE AFFECTED BY VISION LOSS SO THEY MAY ENJOY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT LIVES.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
50
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$115,761, 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $870,153 spent. ADL - ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING - A 6 WEEK COURSE OFFERED TO ALL CLIENTS FROM PRE-ETS TO OLDER BLIND. THE STANDARDS FOR ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS INCLUDES ASSESSING EACH CLIENT'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, TEACHING PURPOSEFUL, ADAPTIVE DAILY LIVING SKILLS, AND GIVING CLIENTS A "MENTAL TOOLBOX" TO AID THEM WITH PERFORMING DAY TO DAY COMMON TASKS INDEPENDENTLY AND SAFELY. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED IN A GROUP SETTING, MEETING ONCE WEEKLY, FOR A SERIES OF SIX WEEKS. ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM IS FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT AND GROUP SETTINGS TO HELP WITH THE THE EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF VISION LOSS AND THE GRIEVING OF THEIR OLD WAY OF LIFE.
  2. AT - THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SERVICES PROGRAM IS TO EMPOWER VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND STUDENTS BY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY USE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO ENHANCE THEIR INDEPENDENCE, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS WHERE APPLICABLE. THE LIGHTHOUSE VISION LOSS EDUCATION CENTER PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL IN DAILY LIFE, EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT.
  3. $962,533 spent. PRE-ETS/VR TRANSITION AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICESSTUDENTS AND ADULTS RE-ADAPTING TO THE WORKFORCE LEARN IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, ORIENTATION & MOBILITY, PRACTICAL JOB READINESS SKILLS AND SOCIAL SKILLS TO HELP THEM SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
  4. $18,948 spent. CHILDREN'S PROGRAM OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 13, BEYOND WHAT IS RECEIVED IN SCHOOL, TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM (ECC) A RESEARCH-BASED APPROACH DESIGNED TO HELP CHILDREN WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS DEVELOP CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS.LUMINATION LOW VISION STORE FORMERLY CALLED PEEPERS, THIS STORE FEATURES PRODUCTS GEARED TOWARD PEOPLE WITH LOW VISION, WHETHER CLIENTS OR NOT. LUMINATION'S MAGNIFICATION CONSULTANTS OFFER ONE TO ONE CONSULTATIONS, BASED ON WHICH PRODUCTS ARE MOST APPROPRIATE TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S PARTICULAR EYE CONDITION. PEEPERS OPENED A WEBSTORE IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 DESIGNED TO SELL LESS CONSULTATIVE PRODUCTS, AND IN 2024 WAS REBRANDED AS LUMINATION, AND THE STORE FEATURES ITEMS FOR USE IN THE HOME AND OFFICE, TALKING MEDICAL DEVICES AND ALARMS, AND WILL SOON BE A RETAILER OF RAY-BAN META GLASSES.LIGHTHOUSE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THIS PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN 2024 TO HELP BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN LOW VISION TECHNOLOGY AND EVERYDAY TECH ISSUES. SERVICES ARE OFFERED ON AN HOURLY BASIS AND SLIDING SCALE FOR CLIENTS, AND AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

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 October 1986.

    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.