MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

601 SW 8TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33130-3209

Principal officer (990 for 2025)

VIRGINIA JACKO, 601 SW 8TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FL 33130

Signed the 990

VIRGINIA JACKO, PRESIDENT/CEO

Phone

(305) 856-2288

Website

WWW.MIAMILIGHTHOUSE.ORG

Return prepared by

GARCIA SANTA MARIA DE ARMAS TRUJILLO

Mission

MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, RESEARCH, VISION ENHANCEMENT AND AS A CENTER FOR LEARNING PROVIDES HOPE, CONFIDENCE, AND INDEPENDENCE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. FOR NEARLY A CENTURY, MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND HAS BEEN WORKING TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED. OUR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING REMOVES BARRIERS TO EDUCATION, JOBS AND CRITICAL EYE CARE. NO ONE'S POTENTIAL SHOULD BE DEFINED BY ABILITY, AGE, ZIP CODE, INCOME, RACE OR ETHNICITY. OUR PROGRAM OFFERINGS REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE AND THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS WHILE REINFORCING OUR MOTTO THAT "IT'S POSSIBLE TO SEE WITHOUT SIGHTTM". THROUGH OUR STATEWIDE FLORIDA HEIKEN CHILDREN'S VISION PROGRAM, WE ENSURE TITLE I STUDENTS AND UNDERSERVED SCHOOLCHILDREN CAN ACCESS THE EYE CARE THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE CLASSROOM AND LATER IN THE WORKFORCE. MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATES IT IS WORTHY OF DONORS' PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENTS.

Program accomplishments

• OUR FLORIDA HEIKEN CHILDREN'S VISION PROGRAM, LLC, TAKES PRIMARY EYE HEALTH CARE DIRECTLY TO FLORIDA SCHOOLCHILDREN TARGETING TITLE ONE SCHOOLS USING OUR FIVE MOBILE EYE CARE UNITS THAT VISIT OVER 500 SCHOOLS ANNUALLY AS WELL AS PROVIDING VOUCHERS IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR NETWORK OF OVER 1,100 OPTOMETRISTS. DURING 2024, 19,161 LOW-INCOME SCHOOLCHILDREN RECEIVED A DILATED EYE EXAM AND 64% REQUIRED AND RECEIVED PRESCRIPTION GLASSES AT NO COST TO THEIR PARENTS. IN OUR 2020 MARKET RESEARCH SURVEY FUNDED BY THE HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA, NEARLY 80% OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED THAT THEIR CHILD HAD IMPROVED ACADEMICALLY AT THEIR SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUR HEIKEN PROGRAM. OUR LOW VISION PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND EYE EXAMINATIONS AS WELL AS INSTRUCTION ON ASSISTIVE DEVICES AND OPTICS FOR SENIORS WITH AGE-RELATED VISION LOSS. THESE LOW VISION SERVICES ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN UTILIZING THEIR REMAINING VISION TO ACHIEVE AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AND MAINTAIN THEIR MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE. EXAMS ARE PROVIDED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF OUR LOW VISION CONSULTING OPTOMETRIST ASSISTED BY OUR CERTIFIED LOW VISION OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT, AND LICENSED DISPENSING OPTICIAN. IN 2019, WE WERE THE RECIPIENT OF A COVETED INNOVATIONS IN HEALTHCARE FOUR-YEAR RENEWAL GRANT FROM THE FLORIDA BLUE FOUNDATION AS AN EXPANSION TO A PROJECT THEY FUNDED INITIALLY IN 2015. THE ORIGINAL INITIATIVE RESULTED IN PUBLICATION OF A PEER-REVIEWED, ARCHIVAL JOURNAL ARTICLE "BRINGING LOW VISION ASSESSMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS TO UNDERSERVED SENIORS AFFECTED BY AGE-RELATED EYE DISEASE" IN THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT. THE FOUR-YEAR GRANT RENEWAL ENABLES MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE TO PROVIDE LOW-VISION PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS (55+) IN VULNERABLE, LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS IN ALLAPATTAH, BROWNSVILLE, LIBERTY CITY, AND OVERTOWN. IN 2024 WE PROVIDED 6,128 COMMUNITY MEMBERS PRIMARILY AFFECTED BY AGE- RELATED EYE DISEASE WITH "LEARNING TO LIVE WITH LOW VISION" PRESENTATIONS AND ADMINISTERED 398 LOW VISION EXAMS, 329 PATIENTS (302 ADULTS + 27 ACADEMY STUDENTS) RECEIVED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, 25 PATIENTS RECEIVED SPEECH THERAPY, 123 PATIENTS RECEIVED PHYSICAL THERAPY, 1,123 PEOPLE VISITED OUR SOLUTIONS CENTER, AND MORE THAN 8,000 VISITS WERE MADE TO OUR ONLINE LIGHTHOUSESHOP.ORG PLATFORM SEEKING DEVICES TO ASSIST WITH EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.
  Expenses $11,695,492
• PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CLIENTS OUR PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES PROGRAM IS A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES YOUTH 14-22 THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE OR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS FLORIDA DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES FUNDED PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS AND YOUTH WHO ENTER COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND/OR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THESE OBJECTIVES ARE FULFILLED BY THE PROVISION OF HIGH-QUALITY COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION INSTRUCTION THAT ENHANCES EACH INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITIES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND ACADEMIC SETTINGS. STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT LIFE SKILLS LIKE HOME AND PERSONAL MANAGEMENT, COMPUTER/ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY, JOB READINESS, ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY, SOCIAL SKILLS AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. STUDENTS LEARN ESSENTIAL SKILLS THAT PREPARE THEM FOR THE WORKFORCE. ADDITIONALLY, STUDENTS IN OUR ABLE TRUST HIGH SCHOOL HIGH TECH COMPONENT OF THE PRE- EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION PROGRAM ARE TAUGHT HOW TO PREPARE RESUMES, PARTICIPATE IN MOCK JOB INTERVIEWS AND CAREER PREPARATION. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP THESE YOUNG ADULTS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM THE ABLE TRUST FOR EXCEEDING THE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT GUIDEPOST IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL HIGH TECH PROGRAM FOR OUR PRE- EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION PROGRAM STUDENTS. WE EXCEEDED THE SERVICES PROVIDED AMONG ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL HIGH TECH PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA AND ARE HONORED TO HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS IN 2024. 41 YOUTH WERE SERVED IN OUR PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION PROGRAM. AS OUR WORLD EXAMINES THE IDEA OF INCLUSION AND EQUITY, IT IS IMPORTANT WE USE THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO US TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS ARE NOT LEFT BEHIND IN THESE CONVERSATIONS. TWO OF THE GREATEST EQUALIZERS WE HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL ARE TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION. THROUGH TECHNOLOGY MANY PEOPLE WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT CAN PERFORM JOBS AS WELL AS OR BETTER THAN THEIR SIGHTED PEERS AND EDUCATION IS PIVOTAL FOR TEENS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR VARIED CAREER OPTIONS AS THEY TRANSITION OUT OF SCHOOL. THROUGH OUR TRANSITION PROGRAM OUR FOCUS IS TO REMOVE THE CONVENTIONAL LIMITATIONS THAT ARE OFTEN IMPOSED ON SOMEONE WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT. WE WANT TO CREATE A GENERATION OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED LAWYERS, ARTISTS, TEACHERS, RESEARCHERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS TO CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE THAT REFLECTS DIVERSE ABILITIES. OUR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM IS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS THAT ARE EITHER WORKING OR WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING IN SELF-HELP SKILLS, COMPUTER/ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND JOB READINESS. OTHER TOPICS COVERED IN THE PROGRAM INCLUDE ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY, LOW VISION SERVICES, AND PERSONAL AND HOME MANAGEMENT. OUR JOB READINESS PROGRAM PROVIDES VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SKILLS NEEDED TO ENTER, REMAIN IN OR RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE IN A VARIETY OF FOR-PROFIT AND NONPROFIT ENTITIES, AND WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR NETWORK OF EMPLOYERS. DURING 2024, WE PROVIDED 191 CLIENTS WITH VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION TRAINING. IN A DIGITALLY DEPENDENT WORLD, ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE DESIGN HAS NEVER BEEN MORE VITAL. UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL WEBSITES ARE ACCESSIBLE. OUR WEB AUDITING SERVICES HELP ENSURE THAT ENTITIES WITH ONLINE PRESENCE HAVE ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES THAT ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA). FOR EXAMPLE, MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE HAS PROVIDED ASSESSMENTS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LAW FIRMS, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, SUPERMARKETS, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, HOSPITALS AND AIRLINES. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED 40 WEBSITE AUDITS TO MAKE WEBSITES FULLY ACCESSIBLE. MORE THAN 250 COMPANIES HAVE UTILIZED OUR WEBSITE AUDITING SERVICES. EXPERTISE ALONG WITH ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE AUDITING HAS BROUGHT SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION TO MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE BY ENTITIES SUCH AS TIME INC., FORBES, AND NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO.
• EARLY INTERVENTION AND LIGHTHOUSE LEARNING CENTER FOR CHILDREN PROGRAMS THE MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY SERVICES FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED BLIND BABIES, TODDLERS, AND THEIR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS IN THE CHILD'S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH TYPICALLY IS IN THE CHILD'S HOME. 119 CHILDREN WERE ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM, AND SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED TO THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES PARENTS AS TEACHERS, AN EVIDENCE-BASED MODEL TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE HOME AND IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY. THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED CHILD AND FAMILY PLANS, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AS WELL AS ADDRESSING THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS AND BUILDS UPON THE ASSETS OF THE ADULTS IN EACH CHILD'S LIFE. PROGRAM GOALS INCLUDE FACILITATING DEVELOPMENTAL FUNCTIONING OF PARTICIPATING CHILDREN (AGES BIRTH TO FIVE); INCREASING THE LEVEL OF PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT; INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS VISUAL IMPAIRMENT PROBLEMS; AND PREPARING CHILDREN TO ENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUCCESSFULLY. OUR MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMY, LLC WAS CREATED AS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY, REPLACING THE MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE LEARNING CENTER FOR CHILDREN TRADEMARKED PROGRAM NAME. WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF 70 STUDENTS, OUR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AGES ONE UP TO AGE FIVE, IS AN ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL PRESCHOOL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (APPLE) FOR EARLY LEARNERS. THIS PROGRAM, USING THE HIGHSCOPE CURRICULUM, IS THE ONLY FULLY INCLUSIVE PROGRAM IN THE U.S. THE PROGRAM MODEL IS UNIQUE IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND IS PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (M-DCPS). OUR MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMY INCLUSION MODEL HAS DEMONSTRATED BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS. IN AN ONGOING LONGITUDINAL STUDY, RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI FOUND THAT THE QUALITY OF TEACHER-CHILD INTERACTIONS IN EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT ONCE AGAIN EXCEEDED THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF THE CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM (CLASS), AN INDUSTRY STANDARD RATING SCALE. NOTABLY, OUR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOMAIN FOR TODDLERS SCORED 6.8 OUT OF 7-MORE THAN TWO POINTS ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 4.62 OUT OF 7. AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF OUR SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IS OUR CORTICAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT COLLABORATIVE CENTER. CORTICAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT (CVI), THE LEADING CAUSE OF PEDIATRIC VISUAL DISABILITIES IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. APPROXIMATELY 30-40% OF CHILDREN WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS HAVE CVI. CORTICAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IS A BRAIN-BASED VISUAL IMPAIRMENT. IT IS DIFFERENT THAN CONDITIONS CAUSING OCULAR VISUAL IMPAIRMENT BECAUSE FUNCTIONAL VISION IN CHILDREN WITH CVI CAN BE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE WHEN EARLY SCREENING, EARLY DIAGNOSIS, APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT AND CVI-SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONAL INTERVENTION ARE PUT IN PLACE. THE GOAL OF OUR CVI CENTER IS TO ENSURE THAT THE LEARNING CONTENT FOR STUDENTS WITH CVI IS STIMULATING AND ULTIMATELY HELPS THE CHILD READ AND PROGRESS IN SCHOOL TO REACH THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL. TEACHERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN OUR ACADEMY HAVE COMPLETED TRAINING IN THE PERKINS-ROMAN CVI RANGE ASSESSMENT/FUNCTIONAL VISION ASSESSMENT, WHICH ENABLED THEM TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE LEARNING MODALITIES FOR 51 STUDENTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA. MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT HEADWAY WITH OUR CVI COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS INCLUDING A RESEARCH PROTOCOL FOR THE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OF CVI, STUDENT ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES, INFANT SCREENING PROTOCOLS IN THE NICU AND PICU SETTING. THESE COLLABORATORS INCLUDE BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE, NICKLAUS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, MIAMI DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE OF EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS AND NSU COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MEDICINE FOR DATA ANALYSIS. IN 2023, OUR CVI COLLABORATIVE CENTER RECEIVED THE COVETED GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NONPROFIT BUSINESS INNOVATIVE EXCELLENCE NOVO AWARD.
• ALTERNATIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE PROVIDES A VARIETY OF ALTERNATIVE SERVICES THAT ARE FUNDED BY NUMEROUS SOURCES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE SENIOR GROUP HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES, MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION, INDEPENDENT LIVING, ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESOL) IN COLLABORATION WITH M-DCPS ADULT EDUCATION. OUR SENIOR GROUP HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES (SGA) PROGRAM TARGETS FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS PRIMARILY OVER 55 YEARS OF AGE TO DEVELOP A FULLER, MORE WELL-BALANCED LIFE. THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM ENABLES BLIND SENIORS TO STAY OUT OF EXPENSIVE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND REDUCES MEDICAL COSTS. OUR SGA PROGRAM INCLUDES GROUP DISCUSSIONS, LANGUAGE AND COMPUTER CLASSES, FITNESS, NUTRITION MANAGEMENT, AND MUSIC INSTRUCTION AS WELL AS FIELD TRIPS. ART CREATION AND MUSIC APPRECIATION ARE INTEGRATED INTO THIS COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMING. DESPITE THEIR VISION LOSS, OUR ARTISTIC CLIENTS CONTINUE TO WIN LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION. CLIENTS MAY ALSO PARTICIPATE IN OUR GED/ESOL ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM AS PART OF A GRANT FROM MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADULT EDUCATION. THESE SGA CLIENTS ALSO BECOME PART OF A PEER COMMUNITY, WHICH RESEARCH HAS SHOWN INCREASED FEELINGS OF SELF-ESTEEM REFLECTING A MORE POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE, A GREATER ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR BLINDNESS AND A WILLINGNESS TO HELP THEIR PEERS OVERCOME SIMILAR OBSTACLES. WE PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS TO A TOTAL OF 132 CLIENTS. OUR MUSIC PROGRAM PROVIDES AN INNOVATIVE YEAR-ROUND MUSIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE TARGETING SIGHTED AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED YOUNG ADULTS UTILIZING MUSIC APPRECIATION, INSTRUCTION, AND EXPLORATION AS TOOLS TO FOSTER WORK READINESS SKILLS AND ENHANCE SELF-EFFICACY AND POSITIVE PEER RELATIONS. TEENS AND ADULTS LEARN MUSIC COMPOSITION, PERFORMANCE, RECORDING, SOUND ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS SKILLS. TRAINING INCLUDES THE USE OF JAWS SCREEN- READING SOFTWARE AND ZOOMTEXT SCREEN ENLARGEMENT SOFTWARE TO ACCESS STANDARD MUSIC INDUSTRY SOFTWARE SUCH AS MIDI (MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DIGITAL INTERFACE) AND PROTOOLS ON THE MAC COMPUTER. BRAILLE MUSIC IS TAUGHT THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING TO STUDENTS AROUND THE GLOBE. MUSIC APPRECIATION AND INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN IN OUR MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMY IS ALSO PROVIDED. THERE WERE 65 CLIENT PARTICIPANTS IN OUR MUSIC PROGRAM. THE SOUND ENGINEERING PLATFORM WE DEVELOPED OVER TEN YEARS AGO WAS INSTRUMENTAL AS OUR CLIENTS BEGAN TO USE REMOTE LEARNING; NOT ONLY DID WE USE THIS PLATFORM FOR BRAILLE MUSIC, BUT IT GAVE OUR TECHNOLOGY TEAM AN ACCESSIBLE ONLINE PLATFORM TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS. OUR INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM IS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT EMPLOYED AND INTEND TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. THESE CLIENTS RECEIVE ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING AND PERSONAL MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTION WHICH OFFERS HELP IN SUCH AREAS AS HOME AND KITCHEN SAFETY, BASIC MEAL PREPARATION, NUTRITION, GROOMING, PERSONAL HYGIENE, MONEY IDENTIFICATION, ORGANIZATION, LABELING AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. CLIENTS ALSO LEARN BRAILLE AS NEEDED TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AS WELL AS IPHONE AND COMPUTER SKILLS. LOW VISION SERVICES AS WELL AS COUNSELING SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE. OUR INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM CONSISTS OF TWO AGE GROUPS: INDEPENDENT LIVING ADULT PROGRAM (AGE 54 AND UNDER) AND INDEPENDENT LIVING OLDER BLIND (AGE 55 AND OVER). THE TWO INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMS ENROLLED 182 CLIENTS. OUR BRIGHT BEACONS PROGRAM IS FOR CHILDREN AGES 6-12. WE OFFER BOTH YEAR- ROUND INSTRUCTION AND AN INTENSIVE EIGHT-WEEK SUMMER CAMP. 101 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN THESE PROGRAMS. THE BRIGHT BEACONS PROGRAM PROVIDES INSTRUCTION DEVOTED TO BRAILLE AND TECHNOLOGY LITERACY ON SATURDAYS AND HOLIDAYS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE GOAL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS EDUCATION, DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOLASTIC SKILLS AND CONTINUOUS REINFORCEMENT OF BRAILLE KNOWLEDGE. THE SUMMER CAMP IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE LITERACY SKILLS, ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL FITNESS, AND PROMOTE SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE PROGRAM OFFERS AN ENRICHED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOCUSING ON LITERACY, TECHNOLOGY, PHYSICAL FITNESS, SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, ART, AND MUSIC. WE HAVE ALSO ADDED AN EARLY INTERVENTION SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AGES ONE TO FIVE TO PREVENT THE "SUMMER LEARNING REGRESSION" THAT OFTEN HAPPENS TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN SCHOOL. OUR ADULT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS MADE UP OF TWO COMPONENTS, OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADULT EDUCATION. THIRTY-FIVE ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS. OUR ADULT BASIC EDUCATION/GED AND ESOL PROGRAMS PROVIDE ADULT CLIENTS THE EDUCATION TO EMPOWER THEM TO EARN THEIR GED IN ORDER TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AND TO POSITION THEMSELVES FOR EMPLOYMENT. OUR ESOL PROGRAM GIVES ADULTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MASTER THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WHICH IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MOVE INTO THE GED PROGRAM. COMPREHENSIVE BLIND SOCCER INITIATIVE IN 2023 MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE BEGAN A SIGNIFICANT COLLABORATION WITH THE U.S. ASSOCIATION OF BLIND ATHLETES INCLUDING PLANNING A COMMUNITY LAUNCH OF BLIND SOCCER IN EARLY 2024, WHICH INCLUDED A DEMONSTRATION BY THE USABA NATIONAL BLIND SOCCER TEAM. MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE HAS DEVELOPED THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE BLIND SOCCER CURRICULUM FOR YOUNG EARLY LEARNERS, AGES ONE TO FOUR. OUR PILOT PROJECT REPRESENTS THE FIRST TIME THAT A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING AND LEARNING BLIND SOCCER WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR CHILDREN STARTING AT AGE ONE. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE U.S. ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND ATHLETES (USABA), OUR COMPREHENSIVE BLIND SOCCER INITIATIVE FOR MIAMI'S YOUNG CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH A VISION DISABILITY, AGES ONE TO TWENTY-TWO, AIMS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS WHO COULD BENEFIT BY LEARNING AND PARTICIPATING IN A TEAM SPORT. AS A RECIPIENT OF THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE CHILDREN'S TRUST INNOVATION GRANT, MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE'S COMPREHENSIVE BLIND SOCCER INITIATIVE AIMS TO REACH 85 YOUTHS, AGES ONE TO TWENTY-TWO, AND TEACH THEM THE GAME OF BLIND SOCCER ON OUR ON-CAMPUS BLIND SOCCER MINI PITCH. NINE MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE EMPLOYEES AND THREE COMMUNITY SOCCER EXPERTS RECEIVED TRAINING FROM USABA TO EARN THEIR BLIND SOCCER COACH CREDENTIALS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2024, 48 ACADEMY STUDENTS, 26 BRIGHT BEACON PROGRAM STUDENTS AND 26 PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS HAVE BECOME PARTICIPANTS IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE BLIND SOCCER PROGRAM.

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

59-0637847

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

1949

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Human services (P860)

Assets (IRS master file)

$71,015,305

Income (IRS master file)

$14,794,015

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 59-0637847).

Questions about MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC

What is the EIN of MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC?

The employer identification number (EIN) of MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC is 59-0637847.

Is MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1949.

Are donations to MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC due?

The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.

Who is the principal officer of MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names VIRGINIA JACKO.

Who are the officers and directors of MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 30 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $330,768 (VIRGINIA JACKO, PRESIDENT/CE).

How much revenue does MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INC have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $14,794,015, expenses of $13,916,462 and total assets of $71,015,305 at year end.

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