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Lighthouse for the Blind Inc

EIN 91-0295070 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE EMPOWER PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND, DEAFBLIND, AND BLIND WITH OTHER DISABILITIES THROUGH SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSFORMATIVE SERVICES FOR INDEPENDENCE AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT.

Income
$98.1 million
Spending
$104.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
505
Volunteers
78
Highest pay
$318,946, president and ceo (thru 07/25)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 September 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. $91.2 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O.THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INC. IS A LEADING MANUFACTURER IN WASHINGTON STATE, WITH A FACILITY IN SEATTLE AND ANOTHER IN SPOKANE. A THIRD MANUFACTURING FACILITY IS LOCATED IN SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA. THESE FACILITIES PRODUCE PARTS FOR THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY, EQUIPMENT FOR THE MILITARY, AND PRODUCTS FOR THE OFFICE SETTING. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES ELEVEN BASE SUPPLY CENTERS ON MILITARY PROPERTIES IN WASHINGTON, CALIFORNIA, AND NEVADA. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN CALIFORNIA AND ALABAMA.THE LIGHTHOUSE HAS NEARLY 402 EMPLOYEES ACROSS ITS 20 LOCATIONS. OVER HALF ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED. INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE DEAFBLIND AND BLIND WITH OTHER DISABILITIES, WORK AT ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING PRODUCTION, OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY, HUMAN RESOURCES, FINANCE, AND PRESIDENT AND CEO. THE LIGHTHOUSE IS A WORLD-CLASS MANUFACTURER AND SERVICE PROVIDER, PLACING EMPHASIS ON QUALITY, CUSTOMER SERVICE, DELIVERY, AND PRICE. THE LIGHTHOUSE ADHERES TO HIGH STANDARDS, AND IS AS9100 REV D ACCREDITED AND ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED. THE LIGHTHOUSE DEDICATES SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO EMPLOYEE TRAINING, SUPPORT, AND ACCOMMODATIONS, AND PROACTIVELY PREPARES PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $654,266 spent. THE LOW VISION CLINIC OFFERS FUNCTIONAL VISION ASSESSMENTS BY A RESIDENCY TRAINED OPTOMETRIST WHO WILL WORK TO MAXIMIZE VISION AND FUNCTION TO PERFORM DAILY LIVING TASKS. A LOW VISION THERAPIST WORKS TO ENSURE EACH INDIVIDUAL IS COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT WITH THE PRESCRIBED AID AND TECHNIQUE.
  3. $98,684 spent. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM PROVIDES IN HOME INSTRUCTION FOR CLIENTS NEW TO VISION LOSS SO THEY CAN LEARN NEW WAYS OF PERFORMING TASKS OF EVERYDAY LIVING. THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM SERVES THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: KING, SNOHOMISH, SKAGIT, ISLAND AND SAN JUAN COUNTIES, AND O&M SERVICES FOR PIERCE COUNTY. INSTRUCTORS COME TO THE CLIENT'S HOME AND WORK WITH THEM TO LEARN NEW WAYS TO PERFORM THE TASKS OF EVERYDAY LIVING: APPLIANCE USE, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, TELEPHONE AND TIME TELLING TECHNIQUES, AND READING AND WRITING. LIGHTHOUSE ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY INSTRUCTORS HELP CLIENTS ACHIEVE TRAVEL GOALS, SUCH AS MOVING AROUND THE HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY, OR TRAVELING BY BUS OR PARATRANSIT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 October 1921.

    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.