Lighthouse International
Lighthouse International shows highly volatile revenue and asset trends with zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 131096620 · New York, NY · NTEE: Q300 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $13.6M |
| Total Expenses | $659K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $64.1M |
| Transparency Score | 70/100 |
Is Lighthouse International Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Lighthouse International directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Lighthouse International
Lighthouse International (EIN: 131096620) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code Q300. The organization reported total revenue of $13.6M and total assets of $35.3M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lighthouse International's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Lighthouse International is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 84 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -13.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $4.5M |
| Total Expenses | $659K |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$3.9M |
| Total Assets | $34.4M |
| Net Assets | $64.1M |
| Operating Margin | 85.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 626.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Lighthouse International reported a surplus of $3.9M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 626.7 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Lighthouse International's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -22.5% | -7.6% | +7.4% |
| 2022 | -42.8% | -89.9% | -49.4% |
| 2021 | +300.9% | +295.9% | -65.1% |
| 2020 | -60.5% | +126.5% | +0.7% |
| 2019 | +12.2% | -88.6% | +4.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1942 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Lighthouse International with a Mission Score of 70 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Lighthouse International allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $3.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Lighthouse International consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries or benefits were paid to officers, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and asset base.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Lighthouse International's IRS 990 filings:
- Extreme volatility in annual revenue, making financial planning and sustainability difficult to assess.
- Dramatic decrease in assets from $181,622,188 in 2020 to $34,425,812 in 2023 without clear explanation in provided data.
- Negative liabilities reported in 2023 and 2022 filings (e.g., $-29,671,588 in 2023), which is an unusual accounting entry that requires clarification.
- Inconsistent expense levels relative to revenue, with some years showing significant surpluses and others deficits.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Lighthouse International:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a potential commitment to minimizing executive overhead.
- Significant asset base, even after recent reductions, providing a foundation for future operations.
- History of substantial revenue generation in certain periods, demonstrating capacity for large-scale funding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lighthouse International
Is Lighthouse International a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lighthouse International (EIN: 131096620) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Lighthouse International spend its money?
Lighthouse International directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Lighthouse International tax-deductible?
Lighthouse International is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131096620). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Lighthouse International's spending goes to programs?
Lighthouse International directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Lighthouse International compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 70/100 (Good), Lighthouse International is above average for NTEE category Q300 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Lighthouse International located?
Lighthouse International is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 131096620. It is classified under NTEE code Q300.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Lighthouse International have?
Lighthouse International has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $13.6M in total revenue.
Why have Lighthouse International's assets decreased so dramatically from $181,622,188 in 2020 to $34,425,812 in 2023?
The significant reduction in assets over a short period suggests major divestments, transfers, or reclassifications that would need further explanation from the organization's financial statements.
What is the reason for the extreme fluctuations in annual revenue, such as $159,305,629 in 2015 compared to $4,538,357 in 2023?
Such large swings in revenue could indicate reliance on one-time grants, asset sales, or significant changes in operational scope or funding models, which impacts financial predictability.
How does Lighthouse International manage to operate with 0% reported officer compensation?
This could imply that executive functions are performed by volunteers, compensated through other entities, or that the organization's structure does not include traditional 'officer' roles with compensation, which is uncommon for an organization of this scale.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Lighthouse International showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Lighthouse International's revenue has declined by 81.8%, moving from $24.9M to $4.5M. Total assets decreased by 61.9% over the same period, from $90.5M to $34.4M. Total functional expenses fell by 97.5%, from $26.9M to $659K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Lighthouse International reported a surplus of $3.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.5M | $659K | $34.4M | $-29,671,588 | — | — |
| 2022 | $5.9M | $713K | $32.1M | $-21,637,511 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $10.2M | $7.0M | $63.4M | $5.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.6M | $1.8M | $181.6M | $11.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $6.5M | $785K | $180.3M | $13.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.8M | $6.9M | $172.0M | $15.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $6.9M | $6.4M | $178.6M | $16.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $12.5M | $7.8M | $177.3M | $19.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $159.3M | $10.5M | $177.7M | $20.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $8.7M | $12.8M | $82.0M | $65.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $20.0M | $21.2M | $85.3M | $59.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $18.2M | $25.6M | $83.3M | $66.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $24.9M | $26.9M | $90.5M | $67.1M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $659K, and assets of $34.4M (revenue -22.5% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $713K, and assets of $32.1M (revenue -42.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $10.2M, expenses of $7.0M, and assets of $63.4M (revenue +300.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $181.6M (revenue -60.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $785K, and assets of $180.3M (revenue +12.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $6.9M, and assets of $172.0M (revenue -16.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $6.9M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $178.6M (revenue -44.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $12.5M, expenses of $7.8M, and assets of $177.3M (revenue -92.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $159.3M, expenses of $10.5M, and assets of $177.7M (revenue +1740.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $8.7M, expenses of $12.8M, and assets of $82.0M (revenue -56.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $20.0M, expenses of $21.2M, and assets of $85.3M (revenue +9.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $18.2M, expenses of $25.6M, and assets of $83.3M (revenue -26.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $24.9M, expenses of $26.9M, and assets of $90.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lighthouse International:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Lighthouse International is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.