Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Employer identification number
36-2169139
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
A family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
13
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public support percentage for 2012 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
15
Public support percentage for 2011 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
16a
33 1/3% support test—2012.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
.....................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
................................................
18
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
.....................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
7,256,583
8,075,954
7,233,918
7,217,600
7,065,832
36,849,887
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
8,332,584
8,909,952
9,431,478
9,501,358
10,123,762
46,299,134
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
128,191
133,574
176,297
137,654
575,716
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
0
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
0
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
15,589,167
17,114,097
16,798,970
16,895,255
17,327,248
83,724,737
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
0
0
0
556,700
118,244
674,944
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
4,383,419
4,682,339
4,308,018
4,066,274
4,210,589
21,650,639
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
4,383,419
4,682,339
4,308,018
4,622,974
4,328,833
22,325,583
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
61,399,154
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
15,589,167
17,114,097
16,798,970
16,895,255
17,327,248
83,724,737
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
414,331
352,755
340,166
391,326
438,026
1,936,604
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
0
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
414,331
352,755
340,166
391,326
438,026
1,936,604
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
0
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
..
18,086
23,193
9,741
76,845
30,064
157,929
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
16,021,584
17,490,045
17,148,877
17,363,426
17,795,338
85,819,270
14
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public support percentage for 2012 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
71.545 %
16
Public support percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
71.354 %
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2012 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
2.257 %
18
Investment income percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
2.485 %
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....
20
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Complete this part to provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Employer identification number
36-2169139
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
Form 990, Part III, Line 4d
OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
Programs for Children and Youth include The Early Intervention Program and The Children's Development Center, which provide services to children from birth to age 21, who are blind, visually impaired and/or multi-disabled. The Chicago Lighthouse Birth to Three Family Intervention Program provides home-based and center-based services to families with children, from birth to three years of age, who have been identified or diagnosed with visual impairments. The Lighthouse staff and family members work together during a child's early stages of life to encourage and guide through the natural stages of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development. Services include developmental therapy, vision assessments, evaluations, optometric examinations through our Low Vision Clinic, occupational therapy, transportation, social work and psychological services. Children from age 3 to 21 who are enrolled in The Chicago Lighthouse Children's Development Center receive services which include daily living skills, educational and recreational activities and Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy. 186 children and families were served during FY13, with expenses of $1,279,715 and revenues of $957,111. Call Center Operations include providing customer service jobs for contracts entered into with both private companies and state agencies, and the assessment and training programs to assist potential employees in gaining the skills necessary for employment in this area. The Communications Center provides training for individuals in the area of customer service, call center operations and appointment taking. Paid Internships are available for those who are interested in this type of work, funded by a City of Chicago grant. In FY13, The Lighthouse entered into two major contracts which became fully operational during the fiscal year. A third, entered into as of January 1, 2013, has been in start-up mode, as Lighthouse management and supervisory staff learned the skills required to perform the necessary operations. 54 people were provided training and/or jobs during the fiscal year. Expenses were $1,093,268 and revenues were $639,684. The Chicago Lighthouse Industries Program provides rehabilitation, training and employment for people who are blind or visually impaired. Workers are employed at various packaging and assembly jobs, in the manufacture of both planners and clocks for the federal government and other commercial markets. The Lighthouse also supplies the Veterans Administration with low vision devices and adaptive technology items, who in turn, dispenses these items to veterans who are blind or visually impaired. In FY13, the VA purchased over 2,500 items from us, to dispense to such veterans. Employment is provided, as workers take, fill and ship orders. During FY13, 32 people were provided employment in Lighthouse Industries, with expenses of $1,080,984 and revenues of $648,629. Lighthouse Employment Services/Vocational Rehabilitation programs provide assistance to people who are visually impaired or blind as they prepare for and secure employment. A full-service program provides resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques, and job leads. The placement counselors work closely with employers, educating them about the awareness of visual impairments and performing task analysis in order to assist the coordination of job modification efforts. Assistance is provided to help maximize vision through optical devices, maximizing productivity through job assessment and accommodations, and providing specialized equipment and training when needed. Supported Employment and Job Coaching assistance are also provided when needed. Vocational Training programs provide rehabilitation and training opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired and multi-disabled, many of whom have never worked or who have experienced long-term unemployment. For those who are uncertain of a vocational goal, vocational evaluation services are also available. Industrial, janitorial, office skills, customer service and collections training and vocational evaluation opportunities exist due to partial funding provided through the State of Illinois. Upon completion of these programs, the individual moves to Employment Services, with skills necessary to be job-ready. Adaptive Technology, which includes a National Help Desk, utilizes assistive computer hardware and software to help individuals meet the challenges of a visual impairment. Services include evaluating the technological needs of a person who is visually impaired or blind as it relates to their work or home environment, determining compatibility of the assistive technology with existing equipment, set-up, training and follow-up. Interaction and consultation with employers and company IT staff also takes place, when related to a job setting. The National Help Desk is an assistive technology support line that helps people who are visually impaired or blind successfully resolve computer problems. Mobility Training Program allows for independence when travelling and enables individuals to gain skills necessary to travel to and from a job. During FY13, 1,810 people were served in these programs and 90 placements were made. Expenses were $990,596 and revenues were $466,977.
Form 990, Part III, Line 4d (cont.)
OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
Lighthouse North, our Glenview location, made possible by a major foundation, completed its first full year of operations during FY13. This site enables services to be provided at a location more convenient to people in that area. Low Vision, Adaptive Technology, Legal Services, Seniors, as well as Children/Youth enrichment programs operated during FY13 and mirror activities which take place at the main location in Chicago. FY13 expenses were $866,957 and revenues were $217,902. Services were provided to over 600 people of all ages, with visual impairments. Independent Living Services include programs which are designed to maximize independent living functions in the home, workplace and community at large. The Adult Living Skills Program administers lessons in daily living, academics and pre-vocational training to its participants. As part of their daily activities, program participants join together to perform as the Chicago Lighthouse Vision Quest Music group. They also take part in recreation and social activities. The Deaf-Blind Program serves people throughout the State of Illinois with varying degrees of visual and hearing losses, providing access to other Lighthouse programs, services within the community and appropriate referrals to agencies. It also assists with training on communication devices, promoting independence and self-sufficiency for people with these dual disabilities. During FY13, a grant from the Federal Communications Commission has allowed The Lighthouse to increase services to the Deaf-Blind community. The Seniors Program helps individuals who are visually impaired, ages 55 and over, find new ways to accomplish daily responsibilities and learn new skills to continue to live an independent and productive life. Computer and adaptive training classes are central to this program. Luncheons, at various times throughout the year, provide opportunities to socialize, network and exchange resources and ideas. Programs in this section served 391 people during FY13. Expenses for this group of services were $760,490 and revenues were $312,926. Other Programs and Services include a number of programs with a variety of focuses. (1) Chicago-land Radio Information Service (CRIS), which provides daily readings of newspapers and periodicals, through use of volunteer readers who read verbatim from local periodicals and broadcast via special receivers placed in homes and other community locations as requested. Connection can be made via the internet, as well. Special interest programming is dedicated to the needs and interests of people who are blind or visually impaired. (2) The BEACON radio show airs weekly and provides topics of interest to the blind community. It is estimated that during FY13 listeners to CRIS and the BEACON numbered 43,270. (3) The Arthur and Esther Kane Legal Clinic provides pro-bono legal services to people who are blind or visually impaired with low incomes in metropolitan Chicago and throughout the United States. Legal counsel and services provided can help navigate and overcome social stereotypes, workplace discrimination and heavy government assistance programs. 143 individuals took advantage of our legal clinic. (4) The Lighthouse Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate studies, as well as vocational training programs, was in contact with 54 students during FY13. Scholarship funds (grants) in the amount of $64,057 were paid out to 39 individuals. (5) 21,234 people engaged in Information and Referral services. For all of these programs, expenses were $230,502 and revenues were $5,300. Retail operations provide cashier, inventory and customer service training and employment for people who are blind or visually impaired. The Lighthouse Convenience Store is located offsite, and is a program aimed at reducing the unemployment rate of people who are blind or visually impaired. A tourist shop at Navy Pier hired individuals who are either blind or visually impaired and provided them with training and equipment to enable ease, efficiency and productivity. Internship opportunities are available, as well, to sharpen customer service skills in order to increase their chances and appeal for employment at other companies and organizations. 6 people were provided employment in these operations during FY13. Expenses total $183,260, with revenue of $52,276.
Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b
FORM 990 REVIEW PROCESS
Form 990 was distributed among all members of the Board of Directors, either via email or hard copy, depending on the preferred method of communication. Finance Committee, who had responsibility for reviewing all financial transactions of the Agency, reviewed the mission statement, the program activities, report of compensation and the presentation of financial information for the year, all in light of the tax exempt status of the organization. Upon completion of their review the 990 was filed.
Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c
EXPLANATION OF MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS
Annually, Directors and Officers sign a Conflict of Interest form and disclose areas of potential conflict. These forms are reviewed by the Board Chair and the Executive Director, with assistance from the Board Liaison. If further action needs to be taken, the issue is brought before the Executive Committee and if necessary, the full Board. There is a requirement to review potential conflicts as situations may arise during the year. As The Lighthouse embarks upon various business transactions, if there appears to be a potential conflict with a specific potential transaction, The Lighthouse goes through the same process as is done with the board members' annual declarations - review, followed by discussion with the Executive Committee and if necessary, the issue is brought to a board meeting.
Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15b
COMPENSATION REVIEW & APPROVAL PROCESS FOR OFFICERS & KEY EMPLOYEES
For the Executive Director position, salary survey was done utilizing data from 990 IRS forms from similar organizations that provide the same services and Chicago-land area organizations. Guidestar.org was utilized in order to obtain the information based on IRS data. The following information was gathered from the organizations --- salary, benefits/deferred compensation, revenue, expenses, net assets, number of employees and clients served. The salary survey was reviewed by the Board Search Committee which consisted of the President, Director of Human Resources and Board members. A recommendation was made to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approved the recommendation. For other key positions within the Agency, salaries are approved as part of the annual budget approval process. Every few years, or as need arises, surveys are done so that salary benchmarks can be determined. When major changes are going to be made, this information may be brought to the Administrative Services and/or the Finance Committees of the Board.
Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18
FORM 990 AND 990-T PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
The Organization posts its Form 990 and Form 990-T on its website. The Organization was formed prior to the Form 1023, and, therefore, does not have this form available on its website.
Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19
OTHER ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
The Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Board minutes, IRS determination letter, and financial statements are available upon request. Audited Financial Statements are filed with the IL-AG Office and are available on-line through multiple sources. Summary financial statements are published within the Annual Report.
Form 990, Part XI, Line 9
OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCES
Change in Value in Split Interest Agreements -5,517. ------------ Total -5,517.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.