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Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program

EIN 59-3656411 · St Augustine, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The LAMP is dedicated to the investigation, interpretation, and better understanding of the maritime history and archeology of St. Augustine, the "First Coast" region of Florida, and beyond.

Income
$400,060
Spending
$370,110
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
0

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $279,269 spent. Archaeological Research - The research arm of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum is the separately incorporated Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program, LAMP. LAMP maintains an active program of both archival and archaeological research and employs archaeologists, a professional paleographer (expert on colonial Spanish script), and an archaeological conservator (specialist in the stabilization of waterlogged archaeological artifacts). LAMP maintains a conservation laboratory, diving locker, analytic laboratory, and also extensive databases of port records, ship losses, and other historical data. It is working actively to bring its stories to the public at the museum and has developed a heritage boat-building program as well as a field school and training workshops for university students, including scholarships for underserved individuals.
  2. Maritime Archaeological Field School - LAMP oversees an intense accredited educational program allowing both undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to participate in a marine survey and underwater excavation of a historic shipwreck site. In addition to methodological training and academic lectures, students get valuable real-world experience in all aspects of archaeological fieldwork, scientific diving and seamanship, and laboratory analysis.
  3. Public Archeology - LAMP Boat-works is dedicated to keeping traditional wooden boat-building alive and relevant for new generations by focusing on the construction of traditional vessel types once common in the waters of St. Augustine and Northeast Florida. It also works with archaeologists to aid with the interpretation, reconstruction and experimental replication of archaeological boat and ship remains. LAMP also maintains a research library of thousands of books, reports, documents, papers and audio-visual media related to maritime history and archeology. Throughout the year, volunteers donate their time to build a variety of small craft, including skiffs and barca chata. The building of a Spanish chalup is an ongoing partnership with the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. An increased effort to bring more archaeological research to the public is a continuing effort.

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 November 6, 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 August 2002.

    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 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.