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Safelight Foundation

EIN 83-1730080 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The purpose of the SafeLIGHT Foundation includes, but is not limited to, promotion of safe driving behavior through charitable giving to traffic safety programs and to those people and organizations that support responsible driving. The Foundation achieves this purpose through its Teen Ambassador Program and Seniors Matter rideshare program, as well as ongoing efforts to expand safe driving education and awareness across all age groups.

Income
$130,735
Spending
$111,919
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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. $70,444 spent. The Teen Ambassador Program is a full academic-year program that teaches teens the critical importance of safe driving behavior, while instilling values of commitment, accountability, and community responsibility. Ambassadors develop awareness campaigns, hold town hall meetings, and participate in peer-to-peer outreach within their school communities. In 2025, the SafeLIGHT Foundation partnered with 22 schools and awarded scholarships to 17 students who successfully completed the program. Since the program's inception, school partnerships have grown from 2 to 22, demonstrating the Foundation's continued growth and commitment to the program.
  2. $7,179 spent. The Seniors Matter Program promotes safe driving practices and accessible transportation options for senior citizens. The SafeLIGHT Foundation continued to subsidize transportation for seniors in its five partner communities during the reported year. All program resources were directed entirely to transportation subsidies, ensuring that funds went directly to serving seniors in need. While program activity was limited to transportation subsidies in 2025, the Foundation remains committed to serving the senior community and is exploring new approaches to promote senior driving safety in future years.
  3. The Community Outreach Program, as described in the Foundation's exemption application, continues to be in development and was not yet operational during the reported tax year.
  4. The Law Enforcement Cares Program, as described in the Foundation's exemption application, continues to be in development and was not yet operational during the reported tax year.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.