Lighthouse of Pinellas

What Lighthouse of Pinellas does

Lighthouse of Pinellas, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1956 and headquartered in Largo, Florida, that provides free vision rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired residents of Pinellas County across all age groups, from infants through seniors. Its core service portfolio spans an Early Intervention Program for children ages 0-5, Children's Services (ages 6-13), a Teen Transition Program (ages 14 to high school graduation), Adult Services (Activities of Daily Living, Orientation & Mobility, Assistive Technology, Adjustment to Vision Loss, Low Vision Training), and Vocational Rehabilitation. Service delivery is conducted on-site at the Largo facility, supplemented by community field trips and home visits, with all training delivered by AER-accredited, nationally certified staff holding Master's Degrees in Visual Disabilities and credentials such as CVRT and TVI.

The organization's underlying technology is third-party assistive software, not proprietary systems. LHP trains clients on screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, Mac VoiceOver), screen magnification (ZoomText, Fusion, Windows Magnifier), and mobile accessibility features (iOS VoiceOver, Android TalkBack, Zoom, Siri). In September 2021, the organization opened The Lantern, an on-site low vision retail store selling adaptive tools such as LED magnifiers, talking alarm clocks, large-print items, and adaptive cooking aids, representing its only direct product offering.

Revenue is generated exclusively through donations, government awards, bequests, and foundation grants rather than client fees. In FY2025, total revenue was $3,090,653, composed of 45% bequests and investments, 38% government awards, 13% contributions and grants, and 4% program fees. Total expenses were $2,455,958, with 77% directed to program services. The organization served 361 clients across 14,011 service hours in FY2025. Customer acquisition relies on physician referrals, community organization partnerships, Lions Club networks, and earned media coverage, with no paid acquisition channels. AER accreditation and 70 years of operating history are the primary regulatory and reputational anchors supporting the organization's standing in the region.

Name

Lighthouse of Pinellas

Legal name

Lighthouse of Pinellas, Inc.

Website

https://lhpfl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lighthouse of Pinellas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956 that provides free vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and vocational services to blind and visually impaired residents of Pinellas County, Florida, across all age groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services (EDACAFAN)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology training
• Low vision adaptive products
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Largo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations through annual giving, monthly giving, honorariums, memorial gifts, and general appeals. Community fundraising events and third-party benefit events hosted by supporters.
2. Government Awards: Government grants and awards representing 38% of revenue, including funding from the Florida Division of Blind Services
3. Bequests and Investments: Bequests, planned giving, endowment gifts, and investment returns representing 45% of revenue
4. Grants and Foundations: Foundation grants designated for general operating support, programs, or capital needs from various community foundations and corporate foundations
5. Program Fees and Other: Minor revenue from program fees and other sources representing 4% of total revenue

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lighthouse of Pinellas provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired residents of Pinellas County, Florida, spanning all age groups from infants to seniors. Core offerings include early intervention for ages 0–5, children's services for ages 6–13, teen transition programming for ages 14–high school graduation, adult services covering daily living skills, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, adjustment to vision loss, and low vision training, plus vocational rehabilitation for working-age adults. The organization also operates The Lantern, an on-site low vision store retailing adaptive tools and daily living aids, with all services provided at no cost to eligible residents.

Product overview

Lighthouse of Pinellas offers a comprehensive suite of vision rehabilitation and support services organized by age group: Early Intervention Program (infants and toddlers ages 0-5), Children's Program (ages 6-13), Teen Transition Program (ages 14 to high school graduation), Adult Programs (including Activities of Daily Living, Orientation & Mobility, Assistive Technology, Adjustment to Vision Loss, and Low Vision Training), and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The organization also operates The Lantern, A Low Vision Store, which retails adaptive tools and daily living aids. Services are provided at no cost to eligible Pinellas County residents and are delivered by nationally certified staff.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Lantern: An on-site low vision store offering adaptive tools designed to support independence, safety, and confidence in everyday life. Products include LED handheld magnifiers, talking alarm clocks, large print items, adaptive cooking aids, and more.

Products and services

• Infants & Toddlers Early Intervention Program (Ages 0-5) Early intervention services for infants and toddlers ages 0-5 with vision impairment or blindness, including sensory learning, mobility development, motor skills, cognitive development, social skills, and family support. Free for eligible Pinellas County residents.
• Children's Services (Ages 6-13) Services for school-age children with vision impairment to build confidence and independence through hands-on learning, technology training, summer programs, independent living skills, self-advocacy, and recreation. Free for eligible Pinellas County residents.
• Teen Transition Program (Ages 14-High School Graduation) Transition services for visually impaired teens preparing for college, careers, and independent living, including independent living, self-advocacy, assistive technology, career exploration, and work experiences. Free for eligible Pinellas County residents.
• Adult Services (All Ages) Comprehensive services for adults experiencing vision loss, including Activities of Daily Living training, Orientation & Mobility instruction, Assistive Technology training (screen readers, magnification, smartphones), Adjustment to Vision Loss counseling and support groups, and Low Vision Training. Free for eligible Pinellas County residents.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services Individualized job readiness, development, placement, and coaching services for working-age adults who are blind or visually impaired. Clients typically apply through the Florida Division of Blind Services.
• Vision Care Referrals Referral services connecting patients with low vision exams, adaptive equipment, and vision rehabilitation through partnerships with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other eye care professionals.
• The Lantern, A Low Vision Store An on-site retail store offering adaptive tools designed to support independence, safety, and confidence in everyday life for individuals with vision loss. Products include LED handheld magnifiers, talking alarm clocks and watches, large print calendars and writing aids, print keyboards, talking blood pressure cuffs and thermometers, adaptive cooking aids, and large print and braille games.

Quantifiable outcome

• 361 clients served with 14,011 hours of service in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Florida Division of Blind ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner providing referral services and funding for clients. Clients in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program are required to apply through the Florida Division of Blind Services.
• Tampa Bay RaysmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMLB team conducting Reading with the Rays community outreach events at Lighthouse. Players visit to read with visually impaired students. Special Rays hats with braille on brim created for inclusion and disability pride.
• Tampa Bay LightningmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHL team that honored Judge Joe Donahey as Lightning Community Hero, resulting in $50,000 donation to Lighthouse of Pinellas. Supports community visibility and fundraising efforts.
• Area Ophthalmologists and OptometristscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of eye care physicians who refer patients to Lighthouse services. Dr. David W. Parke (AAO CEO) has stated Vision Rehabilitation is the standard of care for patients losing vision.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, training and employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Direct service-model peer across the adult vision rehabilitation spectrum.
• Hadley: National nonprofit providing free distance education and resources for people with vision loss. Comparable mission philosophy of free services to blind adults, donor-supported model and assistive-technology focus, though delivered remotely.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit operating vision rehabilitation, assistive technology and employment programs for people who are blind. Comparable through its combination of clinical rehab and vocational/employment services.
• The Chicago Lighthouse: Illinois-based nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, employment services and a low-vision store. Closely aligned model combining all-ages clinical services with retail adaptive products and donor-funded operations.
• Lighthouse Guild International: New York-based nonprofit providing integrated vision rehabilitation, behavioral health and related services for people with vision loss. Directly comparable as a multi-service vision rehab nonprofit with mixed donor, government and earned revenue.
• Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: California-based nonprofit delivering vision rehabilitation training, assistive technology, orientation and mobility and counseling. Parallels LHP's mix of adult and pediatric services funded through donations and grants.

Broad incumbents

• National Industries for the Blind: National nonprofit creating employment opportunities for people who are blind through the AbilityOne program and NIB's training services. Operates at greater scale and along a different service axis (employment and procurement) but serves the same broader mission space.
• American Foundation for the Blind: National nonprofit focused on advocacy, research and resources for people with vision loss. Operates at a policy and resource level rather than as a direct clinical rehabilitation services provider like LHP.
• National Federation of the Blind: National advocacy and member-led organization advancing civil rights and providing programs for blind people. Comparable mission space but primarily advocacy-driven rather than direct clinical rehabilitation.

Emerging players

• Perkins School for the Blind: Massachusetts-based nonprofit serving students who are blind, deafblind or visually impaired through educational and rehabilitation services. Comparable target population but anchored in a residential school model rather than a community-based rehab model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LighthousePinellas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lighthouse-of-pinellas

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lighthouse of Pinellas