Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

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 en

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 83.5%; rating input score 83
• Program expense ratio: 84%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $12.99 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• 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; 64th 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: 5.9%; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.1; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.4%; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.1% per year; rating input score 100; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.9% per year; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.7% per year; rating input score 100; 70th percentile among comparable filings