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Shine a Light Foundation

EIN 85-1777495 · Las Vegas, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SHINE A LIGHT FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) IS A DOMESTIC NON-PROFIT CORPORATION PROVIDING HOMELESS OUTREACH AND PLACEMENT SERVICES THAT HELP HUNDREDS OF HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN IN THE GREATER LAS VEGAS AREA. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE UNDERGROUND FLOOD CHANNELS OF LAS VEGAS. THE PROGRAM PRIDES ITSELF ON GOING INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE STORM-DRAIN SYSTEM AND ENGAGING THIS UNDERSERVED, HIDDEN POPULATION ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
12
Volunteers
600
Highest pay
$72,000, executive di

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

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 16 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 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. SHINE A LIGHT OFFERS INSTANT PLACEMENT WITH ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND HOUSING (IPATH) TO ALL CLIENTS THAT WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH OR THAT REACH OUT FOR HELP. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH OUR LOCAL SAFETY NET PROVIDERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE HELP THE MOMENT THEY ASK FOR IT. TRUE TO OUR ROOTS, WE ALSO DOLE OUT MUCH-NEEDED SUPPLIES, INCLUDING BOTTLED WATER, FOOD, SOCKS, FLASHLIGHTS, HEADLAMPS AND AA AND AAA BATTERIES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THE CONTINUITY OF SUPPORT DOESN'T STOP ONCE PLACEMENT IS OBTAINED. OUR COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO WALK EACH CLIENT WHO CHOOSES TO PARTICIPATE THROUGH TWO YEARS OF SERVICES, FROM THE POINT OF CONTACT THROUGH ALL INDIVIDUAL STAGES OF THE RE-ENTRY PROCESS. THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO REASON TO EVER FEEL LIKE ANYONE HAS TO RECIDIVATE BACK TO THEIR PREVIOUS SITUATION. SHINE A LIGHT OFFERS INSTANT PLACEMENT WITH ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND HOUSING (IPATH) TO ALL CLIENTS THAT WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH OR THAT REACH OUT FOR HELP. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH OUR LOCAL SAFETY NET PROVIDERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE HELP THE MOMENT THEY ASK FOR IT. TRUE TO OUR ROOTS, WE ALSO DOLE OUT MUCH-NEEDED SUPPLIES, INCLUDING BOTTLED WATER, FOOD, SOCKS, FLASHLIGHTS, HEADLAMPS AND AA AND AAA BATTERIES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THE CONTINUITY OF SUPPORT DOESN'T STOP ONCE PLACEMENT IS OBTAINED. OUR COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO WALK EACH CLIENT WHO CHOOSES TO PARTICIPATE THROUGH TWO YEARS OF SERVICES, FROM THE POINT OF CONTACT THROUGH ALL INDIVIDUAL STAGES OF THE RE-ENTRY PROCESS. THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO REASON TO EVER FEEL LIKE ANYONE HAS TO RECIDIVATE BACK TO THEIR PREVIOUS SITUATION.

Source: Form 990 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 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 December 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 2021.

    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.

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