Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation consistently reports zero officer compensation while managing fluctuating revenues and occasional operating deficits.
EIN: 161648213 · Seattle, WA · NTEE: P11 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6.4M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $5.1M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation (EIN: 161648213) is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, WA, classified under NTEE code P11. The organization reported total revenue of $6.4M and total assets of $6.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 23 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.4M |
| Total Expenses | $1.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-153,519 |
| Total Assets | $5.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $39K |
| Net Assets | $5.1M |
| Operating Margin | -11.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 0.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 39.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation reported a deficit of $154K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 39.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 0.8% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -29.4% | -18.3% | +7.6% |
| 2022 | +31.4% | +33.1% | -21.9% |
| 2021 | -34.5% | -12.9% | +16.4% |
| 2020 | +71.0% | +10.4% | -4.6% |
| 2019 | -5.9% | +12.6% | -4.4% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2003 |
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 Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% 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 deficit of $154K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 0.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and indicates that no officers are compensated directly by the foundation, or their compensation is covered by a related entity, or they are entirely volunteer.
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 Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation's IRS 990 filings:
- Occasional operating deficits, such as in 202309 where expenses exceeded revenue by $153,519.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, indicating high efficiency in executive spending.
- Strong asset-to-liability ratio, demonstrating excellent financial stability and solvency.
- Consistent revenue generation over a decade, showing sustained donor or funding support.
- Low liabilities relative to assets, indicating minimal financial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation
Is Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation a legitimate charity?
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation (EIN: 161648213) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Washington. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $6.4M. 1 red flag identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation spend its money?
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation tax-deductible?
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 161648213). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation's spending goes to programs?
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation directs 90% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 90/100 (Excellent), Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation is above average for NTEE category P11 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation located?
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and files with the IRS under EIN 161648213. It is classified under NTEE code P11.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation have?
Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation 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 $6.4M in total revenue.
Is Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation a good charity?
Based on the available data, the foundation appears to be a good charity. It consistently reports 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds to its mission. While there are occasional operating deficits, the organization maintains a robust asset base relative to its liabilities, suggesting financial stability.
How does the foundation manage its expenses relative to its revenue?
The foundation's expenses generally track closely with its revenue, though there are periods where expenses slightly exceed revenue, such as in 202309 ($1,542,838 expenses vs. $1,389,319 revenue) and 201909 ($1,475,295 expenses vs. $1,337,706 revenue). However, these deficits are not substantial enough to threaten the organization's overall financial health given its significant assets.
What is the trend in the foundation's assets and liabilities?
The foundation consistently maintains a strong asset base, generally ranging between $4.4 million and $6.0 million, while liabilities remain very low, often under $100,000. This indicates excellent financial solvency and a strong balance sheet.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation's revenue has declined by 10.4%, moving from $1.6M to $1.4M. Total assets increased by 58.3% over the same period, from $3.2M to $5.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 51.9%, from $1.0M to $1.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation reported a deficit of $154K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $39K in liabilities against $5.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.8%), resulting in net assets of $5.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.4M | $1.5M | $5.1M | $39K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $2.0M | $1.9M | $4.7M | $93K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.5M | $1.4M | $6.1M | $173K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.3M | $1.6M | $5.2M | $60K | — | — |
| 2019 | $1.3M | $1.5M | $5.5M | $168K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.4M | $1.3M | $5.7M | $269K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.4M | $1.3M | $5.4M | $37K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.2M | $1.1M | $4.9M | $54K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.0M | $1.2M | $4.5M | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.6M | $1.3M | $4.4M | $3K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.2M | $1.3M | $4.0M | $70K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.5M | $1.2M | $3.7M | $65K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.6M | $1.0M | $3.2M | $36 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $5.1M (revenue -29.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $4.7M (revenue +31.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $6.1M (revenue -34.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $5.2M (revenue +71.0% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $5.5M (revenue -5.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $5.7M (revenue +3.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $5.4M (revenue +10.3% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $4.9M (revenue -37.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $4.5M (revenue +23.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $4.4M (revenue +31.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $4.0M (revenue -16.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $3.7M (revenue -4.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $3.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Seattle Lighthouse For The Blind Foundation 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.