Nonprofit · EIN 63-1197189
FIRST LIGHT INC
Tax-exempt · BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $3,807,238 | $2,451,915 | $1,355,323 | $9,645,698 | $429,677 | $9,216,021 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $4,794,046 | $2,286,513 | $2,507,533 | $7,923,520 | $62,822 | $7,860,698 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $2,267,130 | $2,068,342 | $198,788 | $5,402,521 | $49,356 | $5,353,165 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,237,374
- of which government grants
- $1,276,585
- Program service revenue
- $133,775
- Investment income
- $169,420
- Net income from fundraising events
- $266,669
- Other revenue
- $266,669
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $899,775
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $109,113
- Other salaries and wages
- $568,850
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $808,024
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $20,289
- Occupancy
- $232,219
- Depreciation
- $159,081
- Program services (functional)
- $2,094,248
- Management and general (functional)
- $267,014
- Fundraising (functional)
- $90,653
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $7,923,520
- Total assets, end of year
- $9,645,698
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $429,677
- Net assets, end of year
- $9,216,021
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,564,875
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $9,040,921
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $175,100
- Gross receipts
- $3,871,521
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 1998
- State of legal domicile
- AL
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHERRY BRAY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 50 | $109,113 |
| CHERYL BRAKEFIELD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BRANDON PATTERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BETH MALIZIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KELSEY MITCHELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| GWIN SANDERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| VISHWA PATEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| VINAY PATEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| VIRGINIA MILLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| PAMELA W KOEHLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MARY GRACE JOHNSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| REV TERRY HAMILTON-POORE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ARTHUR EDGE III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JEFFREY A COWART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LUCY COKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
7 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLISON CHANG-ROBERTS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MELINDA BURNETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ANDREW ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| EMILY T VANDE LUNE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| DAMON REED | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| MILLICENT W RONNLUND | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| DAVIS GOODSON | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHERRY BRAY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 50 | $104,817 |
| VINAY PATEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| HEATHER NELMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KELSEY MITCHELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| VIRGINIA MILLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| GWIN SANDERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| PAMELA W KOEHLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MILLICENT W RONNLUND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MARY GRACE JOHNSEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| VISHWA PATEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| REV TERRY HAMILTON-POORE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ARTHUR EDGE III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ANDREW ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JEFFREY A COWART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MARIA COLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ALLISON CHANG-ROBERTS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MELINDA BURNETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JAY AGNEW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| EMILY T VANDE LUNE | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| DAMON REED | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| DAVIS GOODSON | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| BLAIR W SANFORD | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherry Bray | Executive Director Officer | 50 | $96,562 | $4,916 |
| Vinay Patel | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Heather Nelms | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Virginia Miller | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Gwin Sanders | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Pamela W Koehler | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Millicent W Ronnlund | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Mary Grace Johnsey | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Vishwa Patel | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Rev Terry Hamilton-Poore | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Arthur Edge III | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Andrew Alexander | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Jeffrey A Cowart | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Maria Coley | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Allison Chang-Roberts | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Melinda Burnett | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Jay Agnew | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Emily T Vande Lune | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Damon Reed | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Davis Goodson | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Blair W Sanford | President Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2230 4TH AVE N, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203-3802
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- SHERRY J BRAY, 2230 4TH AVENUE NORTH, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203
- Signed the 990
- SHERRY J BRAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (205) 323-4277
- Website
- WWW.FIRSTLIGHTSHELTER.ORG
- Return prepared by
- HAYNES DOWNARD LLP
Mission
OFFER THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS STABLE EMERGENCY SHELTER, ACCESS TO HOUSING PROGRAMS, AND THE RESOURCES FOR THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
Program accomplishments
- PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: FIRST LIGHT OFFERS 3 HUD-FUNDED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE A DISABILITY AND ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE STAFFED WITH SOCIAL WORKERS WHO HELP CLIENTS NAVIGATE THE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM, HELP SECURE INCOME OR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDE ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN THE CLIENTS' HOME. ONE OF THESE HOUSING PROGRAMS PROVIDES, SHORT TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES. THE GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE OBTAIN HOUSING QUICKLY, INCREASE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND STAY HOUSED. BY CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH A HOME, THEY ARE IN A BETTER POSITION TO ADDRESS OTHER CHALLENGES THAT MAY HAVE LED TO THEIR HOMELESSNESS, SUCH AS OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT OR ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.Expenses $1,058,923 · grants $670,066 · revenue $133,775
- EMERGENCY SHELTER: THE EMERGENCY SHELTER CAN PROVIDE SHELTER TO 38 HOMELESS WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH CHILDREN. FIRST LIGHT PROVIDES MEALS DAILY, CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND A WEALTH OF RESOURCES TO ASSIST GUESTS AS THEY AIM TO RE-ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY. FIRST LIGHT'S INTENSIVE INDIVIDUALIZED CARE PLANNING AND COMPREHENSIVE, HOLISTIC SERVICES ADDRESS A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS.FIRST LIGHT COLLABORATES WITH OTHER HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PLACE GUESTS IN APPROPRIATE HOUSING SITUATIONS UPON LEAVING THE SHELTER. THE AGENCY ALSO IMPLEMENTED NEW PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE ON SITE FOR PARTICIPANT, INCREASED JOB READINESS PROGRAMS WHICH HELPED SHELTER AND HOUSED GUEST DEVELOP RESUMES AND SEEK EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IT IS FIRST LIGHT'S PROGRAM GOAL TO OPEN CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH, SELF-DISCOVERY AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT THROUGH GROUP THERAPY, LIFE SKILLS THERAPY, AND COUNSELING. EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMS INCREASED, INCLUDING BIBLE STUDIES LED BY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS FOR GUESTS WHO CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE.Expenses $1,035,325 · grants $229,709
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 63-1197189
- 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
- 1998
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Human services (P80)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $9,645,698
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,871,521
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $3,807,238 | $2,451,915 | $9,645,698 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $4,794,046 | $2,286,513 | $7,923,520 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $2,267,130 | $2,068,342 | $5,402,521 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $2,573,805 | $2,183,826 | $2,855,073 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
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 63-1197189).
Questions about FIRST LIGHT INC
- What is the EIN of FIRST LIGHT INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FIRST LIGHT INC is 63-1197189.
- Is FIRST LIGHT INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1998.
- Are donations to FIRST LIGHT INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FIRST LIGHT 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 FIRST LIGHT INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did FIRST LIGHT INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FIRST LIGHT INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names SHERRY J BRAY.
- Who are the officers and directors of FIRST LIGHT INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 22 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $109,113 (SHERRY BRAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does FIRST LIGHT INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,807,238, expenses of $2,451,915 and total assets of $9,645,698 at year end.
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