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Lighthouse Beginnings

EIN 85-3552096 · Baxter, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • 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

TO PROVIDE CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THOSE EXPLORING RECOVERY BY HONORING ALL PATHWAYS AND MEETING INDIVIDUALS WHERE THEY ARE AT.

Income
$984,755
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
47
Volunteers
50

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 291% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 464% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $528,655 spent. PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT - OUR PEERS ARE FULLY PRESENT WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL IN A WAY THAT VALIDATES AND REINFORCES INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITIES AND STRENGTHS. WE PROMOTE SELF- ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN TAKING THE LEAD IN BECOMING EXPERTS AT THEIR OWN RECOVERY. WE VALUE THE MUTUALITY OF OUR PEER-TO-PEER INTERACTIONS AND PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE DIVERSITY OF OUR CPRS, PSS, AND CPRS-FE STAFF.
  2. $314,293 spent. PATHWAY RECOVERY / TRANSITIONAL HOMES: HAVE SUPPORTED ABOUT 27 FEMALES AND 22 MALES WITH TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. IN OUR RECOVERY HOMES WE SUPPORT DIVERSITY. WE SEE EACH OTHER'S DIFFERENCES AS UNIQUE AND WONDERFUL WAYS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORLD. THESE HOMES HELP TO DEVELOP A STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY GEARED TOWARDS RECOVERY. IN 2024 WE HAD TWO WOMEN'S HOME AND THREE MEN'S HOMES.
  3. $273,089 spent. OPEN ARMS DROP-IN DAY CENTER FOR UNSHELTERED: PROVIDING A STIGMA FREE AND A SUPPORTIVE, SOBER, SAFE ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH PUTTING THEIR LIFE BACK TOGETHER AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO DO THAT. WE BELIEVE IN PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY, SELF-DETERMINATION AND PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS WITH THE PRO-SOCIAL SUPPORTS THEY NEED TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY! WE ASSIST PEOPLE WITH ROADBLOCKS TO RECOVERY; RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE AND INDIVIDUALIZED PLANS FOR SUCCESS.
  4. $3,337 spent. EMPLOYEE RETENTION PROGRAM: SUPPORTED ABOUT 200+ PEOPLE IN 2024. LIGHTHOUSE ASSISTS EMPLOYERS TO BETTER EQUIP NEW EMPLOYEES AND HOW TO RETAIN THEM BY PROVIDING SUPPORT THAT THEY MAY NOT RECEIVE FROM A TRADITIONAL HR DEPARTMENT. WITH TWICE MONTHLY ON-SITE VISITS DURING MEALTIMES, LIGHTHOUSE IS A LIFE-COACH FOR EMPLOYEES PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FOR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH; ADDICTION ISSUES; FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. LIGHTHOUSE STAFF HELPS INDIVIDUALS TO SET AND ACHIEVE GOALS, IMPROVE TIME MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOP A HEALTHY WORK-LIFE BALANCE.
  5. INTERVENTIONS: SUPPORTED ABOUT 300+ PEOPLE. INDIVIDUALS AND/OR FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO CONTACT LIGHTHOUSE IF THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE. LIGHTHOUSE MEETS WITH THOSE AFFECTED BY THE STRUGGLE AND HELPS TO CREATE A PLAN; MOVE TOWARD EITHER DETOX OR TREATMENT PROGRAMS; AND HELPS PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 November 2020.

    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.