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Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

EIN 94-1415317 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, COMMUNITY, AND EQUITY CREATED BY AND WITH BLIND AND LOW VISION PEOPLE.

Income
$25.0 million
Spending
$32.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
22.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 52%
Employees
236
Volunteers
101
Highest pay
$421,597, former cfo (through 9/20/24)

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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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. $12.3 million spent. VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES:-BLINDNESS SKILLS PROVIDES INSTRUCTION TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO BLINDNESS OR LOW VISION TO HELP THEM LEARN TO USE A WHITE CANE FOR MOBILITY, READ BRAILLE, UTILIZE ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY AND ACQUIRE ADAPTIVE METHODS FOR COOKING AND DAILY LIVING. -ENCHANTED HILLS CAMP FOR THE BLIND IN NAPA IS ONE OF THE WEST'S ONLY CAMPS FOR BLIND, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, DEAF-BLIND AND MULTI-DISABLED YOUTH, ADULTS AND SENIORS. ENCHANTED HILLS CAMP IS A PLACE FOR BLIND CAMPERS TO EXPLORE AND CREATE, GAIN COURAGE, TRY NEW THINGS AND MAKE LIFELONG FRIENDS. -DEAF-BLIND SERVICES INCLUDE A COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM THAT IS OPEN TO DEAF-BLIND INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. IT ALSO HOSTS A SPECIAL ENCHANTED HILLS CAMP SESSION SPECIFICALLY FOR THE DEAF-BLIND.
  2. $3.3 million spent. COMMUNITY & INFORMATION SERVICES:-COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFERS SOCIAL, HEALTH PROMOTION AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOR THE BLIND. OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE, YOGA, DANCE, A BOOK CLUB, AND MANY OTHER PROGRAMS. CULTURAL, ARTISTIC AND FITNESS PROGRAMS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF LOW VISION AND BLIND PEOPLE. -BLIND TEENS FIND A PLACE WHERE BLINDNESS IS NORMAL AT LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH PROGRAMS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS, VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. -A COUNSELING SERVICES PROGRAM FOR THE BLIND AND LOW VISION PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING, PEER COUNSELING AND GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS.
  3. $11.0 million spent. LIGHTHOUSE ENTERPRISES:-LIGHTHOUSE OPERATES ADAPTATIONS, A BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORE SELLING BLIND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS, SUCH AS WHITE CANES, GUIDE DOG SUPPLIES, MAGNIFIERS, TALKING WATCHES AND OTHER ITEMS.-LIGHTHOUSE INDUSTRIES PROVIDES DIRECT EMPLOYMENT AT THE SIRKIN LIGHTHOUSE, OUR LIGHT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN ALAMEDA WHERE 75% OF ALL DIRECT LABOR IS PERFORMED BY BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED EMPLOYEES. -THE LIGHTHOUSE'S EMPLOYMENT IMMERSION PROGRAM IS OUR JOB TRAINING PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED JOBSEEKERS IN THE BAY AREA. OUR GRADUATES HAVE THE SKILLS TO FIND JOBS, STARTING THEM ON A PATH OF SELF-RELIANCE AND LIFE FULFILMENT. -THE MEDIA AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN LABORATORY (MAD LAB) MAKES VISUAL INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED. THE TRANSCRIPTION TEAM TAKES ORIGINAL COPY AND TRANSLATES IT INTO ACCESSIBLE FORMATS, INCLUDING BRAILLE, LARGE PRINT, AND AUDIO. AN EXPERIENCED TEAM OF BRAILLE CERTIFIED TACTILE IMAGE AND MAP DESIGNERS HELPS CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND NONPROFITS IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVENESS OF THEIR VENUES AND SERVICES AS WELL AS COMPLY WITH ADA SIGNAGE STANDARDS AND STATE BUILDING CODES. -THE LIGHTHOUSE'S EMPLOYMENT IMMERSION PROGRAM IS A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED JOBSEEKERS IN THE BAY AREA. OUR GRADUATES HAVE FOUND JOBS, STARTING THEM ON A PATH OF SELF-RELIANCE AND LIFE FULFILMENT.

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 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 November 6, 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 September 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 May 1959.

    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 November 4, 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.