Bluelight Development Group Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our Mission is to provide innovative development solutions to charitable organizations corporations and individuals who serve disadvantaged communities with notable concentrations of people of color and systemic developmental shortcomings.
- Income
- $178,963
- Spending
- $411,901
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- -3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 160% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 130% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 51% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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)
- $134,413 spent. BlueLight Development Projects: BlueLight provides urban planning and development services to projects with support of general operating expenses. Services are provided to nonprofit organizations corporations private businesses municipalities planning agencies and individuals on behalf of charitable projects located in areas of strategic economic interest for equitable development. Staffing and administrative support for these services are provided by the nonprofit board of directors. BDP includes The Hudson River Sports Complex Albany Waterway and Canal The South End Economic Development Center and others.
- $58,403 spent. The African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region Inc AACC: AACC was a 501C3 grantee and fiscally sponsored organization supported by BlueLight from 2017 to 2024. The mission of AACC was to educate and enrich the Capital Region of New York State with the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans historically. This mission purpose manifested an advocacy function as the organizations platform and public voice called for change and equitable treatment of all disadvantaged people. BlueLight President Mr. Jackson provided volunteer service as Development and Facilities Chairman and Executive Director totaling $327,335 of lifetime in-kind contributions. As a direct result of BlueLIght support AACC consistently served 20,000+ persons annually with programming including The Capital Region Juneteenth Celebration Kwanzaa Black History Month First Friday Exhibitions artist residency programs and more.
- $160,464 spent. The South End Grocery SEG: SEG was a fiscally sponsored grantee and charitable project supported by BlueLight from December 2020 to 2024. The goal of the project was to provide free and low-cost groceries supplied by regional farm to neighborhood infrastructure and local distributors to the South End Neighborhood and greater Albany impact area. The project required the predevelopment design financing construction and operation of a 1.5 acre commercial parcel at 106 South Pearl Street in downtown Albany New York 12202. BlueLight as fiscal sponsor and project lead completed a successful 6-month pilot of SEG operations with partnership and collaboration from dozens of nonprofit organizations private businesses individuals and stakeholders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.