Lighthouse of Southwest Florida Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Public relations lighthouse of swfl, in its 50th year of providing services, engages in a robust outreach and public relations program that includes collaboration with new and existing community partners to increase cross-referrals and general awareness to the community-at-large, and local elected officials, about vision loss and services offered by lighthouse of swfl. Across southwest Florida, we reach our community-at-large in the following ways: press releases: these are sent to local media outlets, both print and broadcast, as programs are added or changed, or as an event necessitates creation and dissemination. A strong relationship has also been built with Florida weekly as they have been consistent event sponsors and have helped lighthouse of swfl by printing our press releases and event photos. We have also built a solid relationship with the breeze newspaper group which publishes weeklies in five southwest Florida communities. Over the past year, they have twice featured lighthouse of swfl on the cover of their n. Ft. Myers neighbor publication, with an extensive feature article and photos included in each. Newsletters: lighthouse of swfl utilizes electronic and print newsletters to reach our clients, funders, donors and community-at-large, both of which are created in-house. Our electronic newsletter, created through constant contact, is sent weekly to nearly 900 subscribers. Our eight-page printed enlightened newsletter is written, edited and designed in-house, professionally printed and mailed quarterly to more than 1,600 supporters. Community awareness events: each october 15th, lighthouse of swfl organizes a free white cane day event to bring awareness to those low vision and blind individuals utilizing white canes for mobility. In addition to informational displays and presentations from organizations such as the Florida department of transportation, lee county department of human and veteran services, lee tran, Florida division of blind services, southwest Florida council of the blind, event attendees also have the opportunity to be blindfolded and utilize a white cane to be led safely around by our certified instructors. This event is held to bring attention to not only those in our community who have low vision or blindness, but to the white cane law. The law states that when a pedestrian is crossing, or attempting to cross, a public street or highway, guided by a dog guide or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection or place where the pedestrian is attempting to cross shall bring his or her vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing and, before proceeding, shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring the pedestrian. A white cane is an important mobility tool for people with low vision or blindness and is a symbol of their independence. Health fairs & presentations to the community: the leadership team of lighthouse of swfl routinely conducts presentations and speaks with key referral sources, such as ophthalmologists, optometrists, social workers, and other members of the health and human services arena in southwest Florida. This past year, lighthouse of swfl has participated in health fairs at amavida resort retirement community, cypress cove, the palms retirement community, del tura golf & country club, the north fort myers recreation center, heritage palms golf & country club, pelican preserve, and an awareness event held by the southwest Florida council for the blind. Each year, we are also asked to be present at the southwest Florida optometric association educational retreat attended by all our area's optometric professionals. Here, we provide information on our services for those with low vision and blindness to local optometrists, as well as how they can refer patients for services at lighthouse of swfl. Social m

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 87.1%; rating input score 87
• Program expense ratio: 93.2%; rating input score 93
• Fundraising efficiency: $32.43 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 6.5%; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.43; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 49; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13.4%; rating input score 27; 27th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.6% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.1% per year; rating input score 100; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.3% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings