Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	The Chicago Lighthouse
Address:	1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
	Chicago, IL 60608
Phone:	312-666-1331
Web Address:	www.thechicagolighthouse.org

The Chicago Lighthouse does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 3: Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings - An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities. The Chicago Lighthouse does not meet this Standard because: The board of directors did not hold a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings in the past fiscal year.

In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s effectiveness measures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 7.

The Chicago Lighthouse meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

The Independent Living Services at The Chicago Lighthouse are designed to maximize participants’ independent functioning in the home, workplace, and community at large. Programs administer lessons in daily living, academics and prevocational training to its participants. Specialists on staff provide communication assistance, case management and advocacy, academic tutoring, independent living skills training, adjustment counseling, Braillephone instruction, information and referrals, and more. Our Employment Services Program works to decrease this staggering statistic by assisting the individuals who are blind, visually impaired or with multiple disabilities in preparing for and securing employment. Our staff also works with both private and public sector employers to make recommendations for appropriate adaptations when hiring or retaining an employee who is blind or visually impaired. The Chicago Lighthouse Veterans Supply Administration Program distributes low vision aids and independent living devices to 4,300 veterans who are blind or visually impaired throughout America. The Chicago Lighthouse’s rehabilitation, clinical and research services are striving to better meet the needs of people experiencing vision loss by expanding the breadth of services offered. The Chicago Lighthouse’s Educational Services are committed to providing youth who are blind or visually impaired, as well as deaf-blind and multi-disabled, with opportunities, support, and education. From meeting critical developmental milestones as a toddler, to transitioning into college, our programs offer the guidance and resources that open doors, overcome challenges, and enhance independence for not only the youth, but for their parents and families as well. As one of the most comprehensive social service agencies in the country, The Chicago Lighthouse’s support services help meet the needs of individuals adapting to low vision and blindness through counseling, information, and referral. Such services assist with social security issues, socioemotional needs, and education, just to name a few.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, The Chicago Lighthouse's program expenses were:

Total employee salaries and benefits	5,289,109
Supplies	2,591,100
Cost of Material	2,084,497
Total client payments and benefits	1,207,393
Distribution pf building repairs	621,582
Depreciation	568,009
Proffesional and contract services	429,931
Client Transportation and maintenance244892	244,892
Other	223,309
Advertising	212,161
Commissions	198,750
Postage, freight, and direct mail	161,114
Conferences, meetings, and major trips	109,540
Equipment rental and maintenance	89,008
Property and liability insurance	35,068
Telephone	26,284
Warehouse rental	25,237
Memberships	11,422
Printing	9,202
Building repairs and maintenance	741
Utilities	502
Total Program Expenses:	$14,138,851

Chief Executive : Janet P. Szlyk, PhD, President / Executive Director

Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: William Conneghan
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Vice-President, Marquette Bank

Board Size: 37

Paid Staff Size: 236

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, print advertisements, radio, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements, cause-related marketing, membership

Fund raising costs were 24% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,873,551, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on The Chicago Lighthouse's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds
Rehabilitation training course fees and subsidies	6,651,048
Lighthouse Industries sales	3,639,292
Contributions	3,388,154
Government Service Contracts	589,682
Optical aid fees and sales	487,428
Special events revenue	485,397
Miscellaneous	190,424
Donated goods/services	104,956
United Way	21,686
Investment income, primarily interest	15,882
Less cost of direct benefits to donors	-125,533
Total Income	$15,448,416

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 78%  Fund Raising: 5%  Administrative: 16%  Other Expenses: 1%

Total income				$15,448,416
	Program expenses			$14,138,851
	Fund raising expenses			914,287
	Administrative expenses			2,917,388
	Other Expenses			198,023
Total expenses				$18,168,549
Expenses in Excess of Income				(2,720,133)
Beginning net assets				41,732,421
Ending net assets				40,854,789
Total liabilities				1,548,234
Total assets				$42,403,023