Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

What Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired does

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1931 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, operating Florida's largest and oldest service organization for the blind and visually impaired community. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs spanning the full life cycle: the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program (statewide free comprehensive eye exams and prescription eyeglasses for financially disadvantaged Pre-K through 12 students, delivered through four mobile eye clinics and a 1,000+ optometrist referral network); the Miami Lighthouse Academy (NAC- and AER-accredited inclusive early childhood education); employment and pre-employment transition training for adults; the CVI Collaborative Center (Florida's first center addressing cortical visual impairment in children); adaptive sports including a blind soccer program tied to FIFA World Cup 2026 legacy; and LighthouseShop.org, an e-commerce channel for assistive technology devices such as OrCam MyEye wearable AI. Core technology deployed includes Braille instruction, screen readers, screen enlargement software, alternative input devices, and website accessibility compliance auditing to WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack: individual and corporate donations (with cryptocurrency acceptance and matching campaigns), government contracts (Florida Department of Health, The Children's Trust, Miami-Dade County, Children's Services Council of Broward, federal NEA grants), foundation grants (Honda USA Foundation, Delta Gamma, Lions Clubs International, Quantum, Baptist Health, Batchelor, Health Foundation of South Florida), corporate sponsorships (Florida Panthers $100K gift, Marlins Foundation $300K+ cumulative), fee-for-service revenue from the Low Vision Center and Website Accessibility consulting, and event-driven fundraising (Music Under the Stars, Bouldering for Blindness, Cars for Charity, Beeping Easter Egg Hunt). All direct services to clients are free at point of delivery. Reach is statewide in Florida with national and international program impact, serving 90,000+ individuals annually across 28,374 program participants.

Recent strategic posture shows sustained expansion: a 30,000 SF facility buildout by Miller Construction, Florida's first CVI Center opening in 2021, a Roborock Classroom and FIFA WC 2026 activation in 2026, and a Global Win in the Otis Made to Move Communities Challenge 2025. Governance is via an independent board of directors led by CEO Virginia Jacko, with no parent organization. Accreditations include NAC since 1978, AER since 2017, and 14 consecutive Charity Navigator 4-star ratings through 2024, placing the organization in the top 1% of U.S. nonprofits.

Name

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Legal name

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.

Website

https://miamilighthouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1931 that delivers education, vision care, employment training, and accessibility services to over 90,000 blind and visually impaired individuals annually through statewide programs including the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program and the CVI Collaborative Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation and Blind Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Offices of Optometrists (62132)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Vision Impairment & Blind/Low-Vision Inclusive Childcare (HSAAAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accessibility & Universal Design Consulting (HSABAJAB), Reading Glasses (OTC) (CRAAAKAG)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology retail
• Children vision screening
• Blind employment training
• ADA accessibility consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, corporate donations, cryptocurrency donations accepted. Your donation will be doubled campaign, major donor programs, and The Wildflower Challenge matching program.
2. Government Contracts and Grants: Funding from Florida Department of Health for Heiken Children's Vision Program, grants from The Children's Trust, The Children's Services Council of Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and federal grants including NEA $30,000 grant, Honda USA Foundation $70,000 grant, Delta Gamma Foundation Service for Sight Grant, FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee grants
3. Program Fees and Services: Fees for services including Low Vision Center (LighthouseShop.org) sales, Miami Lighthouse Academy tuition, professional services for ADA compliance consulting and website accessibility audits
4. Foundation and Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, charity partnerships with Marlins Foundation, Panthers Foundation, Dolphins, and event-based fundraising through galas and community events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit service organization providing education, training, research, and vision enhancement programs to blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages across Florida. Its core offerings include the statewide Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program (free comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses for low-income students via four mobile eye clinics and a 1,000+ optometrist network), inclusive childhood education at Miami Lighthouse Academy, the CVI Collaborative Center (Florida's first center for pediatric cortical visual impairment), Pre-Employment Transition Programs for adults, LighthouseShop.org retail of assistive technology, and ADA website accessibility consulting.

Product overview

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit service organization offering a portfolio of programs rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program (statewide free eye exams and glasses via mobile clinics), Miami Lighthouse Academy (inclusive early childhood education), LighthouseShop.org (assistive technology e-commerce), Website Accessibility Services (ADA consulting), CVI Collaborative Center (pediatric vision impairment services), Blind Soccer Program, and the Vision Insights Podcast. These services collectively serve over 90,000 blind and visually impaired individuals annually from babies to seniors statewide, nationally, and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LightLine: E-Newsletter of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
• Vision Insights
• Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program
• CVI Collaborative Center

Products and services

• Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Statewide program providing free comprehensive eye exams and prescription eyeglasses to financially disadvantaged Pre-K through 12 students who fail state-mandated vision screenings, delivered through four mobile eye clinics and a network of over 1,000 participating optometrists.
• Miami Lighthouse Academy Inclusive early childhood education program for children with visual impairments, accredited by NAC and AER, operating as a Florida Gold Seal and APPLE accredited Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program.
• LighthouseShop.org Low Vision Center Online retail storefront offering the latest assistive technology and healthcare devices for the blind and visually impaired, including OrCam MyEye wearable AI, braille technology, screen reading and enlargement software, and alternative keyboard input devices.
• Website Accessibility Services (ADA Compliance) Consulting and auditing service helping businesses, government agencies, and organizations achieve ADA and WCAG 2.0 Level AA website accessibility compliance, with staff using assistive technologies including screen readers and screen enlargement software to test implementations and provide free initial consultations.
• CVI Collaborative Center Florida's first center addressing cortical/cerebral visual impairment (CVI) in children, providing assessment, intervention, family support, and clinical expert panel collaboration across pediatric and academic partners.
• Blind Soccer Program Comprehensive adaptive sports program featuring blind soccer (football 5-a-side) on an on-campus mini pitch, partnering with Roborock, FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee, and USA Blind Soccer, including blind soccer player activations and the Roborock Classroom.

Quantifiable outcome

• 77% of surveyed families reported child improved in school because of Heiken Program services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• RoborockflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Roborock partnered with Miami Lighthouse for Blind Soccer demonstration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Roborock Classroom. Supported blind soccer program with FIFA World Cup 2026 activation at Aventura Mall featuring blind soccer player Oseas De Leon. FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee blind soccer grant activation at Miami Lighthouse campus mini pitch.
• Miami Marlins/Marlins FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTwo-time Charity Partner (2013, 2014) and 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Legacy Partner. Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program received over $300,000 through partnerships. Beep ball programs, touch tours, sensory experiences, and vision care events at schools.
• Florida Panthers/Florida Panthers FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHockey clinics for visually impaired youth; touch tours at FLA Live Arena; mobile eye exam unit with $100,000+ gift assuring eye care services for low-income children; partnership for adaptive sports programs.
• Inter Miami CFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Florida Blue to host Fútbol Clinic for Miami Lighthouse Pre-Employment Transition Program students, providing sports experiences and employment training opportunities.
• Miami DolphinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWearable AI donations (OrCam MyEye) to Miami Lighthouse; holiday gift programs providing experiences for visually impaired individuals.
• Florida BluecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-Employment Transition Program partnership with Inter Miami CF; Living with Low Vision virtual series sponsorship; Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion (7 years); job training and employment programs.
• Bascom Palmer Eye InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVI Expert Panel featuring Dr. Carlos Mendoza from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, collaborating on Florida's CVI Center addressing pediatric visual impairment.
• Nicklaus Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVI Expert Panel featuring Dr. Anuj Jayakar, Medical Director of Neurocritical Care Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital Brain Institute for CVI center collaboration.
• The Beacon CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived Beacon Award in Education at 13th Annual Beacon Council Awards; Miami-Dade County's official economic development organization.
• ABLE UnitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with ABLE United, Florida's disability savings program, helping individuals with disabilities save for the future.
• WaymominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiami Lighthouse featured in Waymo blog announcing autonomous ride accessibility for Miami, discussing making ridesharing accessible for the blind and visually impaired.
• Formula EminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFormula E X Sustainability partnership at Miami E-Prix, Miami Lighthouse involved in community accessibility and inclusion initiatives.
• The Collection McLarenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCars for Charity events showcasing high-performance supercars to blind students for sensory experiences.
• OtisflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiami Lighthouse named Global Winner in Otis Made to Move Communities Challenge 2025, promoting accessibility and inclusion.
• University of MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE Day service partnership; CVI Expert Panel collaboration with Dr. Carlos Mendoza from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
• Purdue UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering Accessibility feature and alumni spotlight of CEO Virginia Jacko as Purdue HHS alumna.
• Israeli Institution (ORT Israel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Israeli institution for technology sharing, specifically Israeli technology helping the blind read.
• Food For ThoughtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood For Thought visits Miami Lighthouse for the Blind providing meals and support services.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Aira Tech Corp: Aira provides on-demand visual interpretation services via smart glasses and remote agents for blind and low vision users. Comparable as an emerging assistive-tech service for the visually impaired, competing for the same end-user population and donor/partnership interest.
• Be My Eyes: Be My Eyes connects blind and low vision users with sighted volunteers and AI for visual assistance via smartphone. Comparable as an emerging free/sponsored visual-assistance platform that competes for end-user adoption and corporate partnerships in the visually impaired space.

Direct peers

• Chicago Lighthouse: Chicago Lighthouse is one of the largest social enterprises in the U.S. serving the blind and visually impaired, offering employment, assistive technology, vision rehabilitation, and low vision products. Comparable mission and service breadth to Miami Lighthouse with a longer-tenured industrial/program services model.
• Lighthouse Guild: Lighthouse Guild is a New York-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, education, and healthcare services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Directly comparable as a multi-service blind/visually impaired organization with a similarly broad portfolio spanning direct services, low vision products, and accessibility consulting.
• Lighthouse for the Blind of Houston: Lighthouse Houston operates manufacturing, employment programs, assistive technology, and youth services for blind Texans. Comparable service portfolio and nonprofit operating model; differentiated by larger manufacturing employment arm versus Miami Lighthouse's emphasis on pediatric vision and accessibility consulting.
• National Federation of the Blind: The NFB is the largest nationwide membership organization of the blind, providing advocacy, education, and direct programs. Comparable as a blind-services nonprofit but more advocacy- and member-driven versus Miami Lighthouse's direct service delivery model.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Perkins is a historic nonprofit (founded 1829) providing education, rehabilitation, and international programs for the blind and visually impaired. Comparable mission focus on education and lifelong services for the visually impaired, with broader international reach but similar accredited nonprofit structure.

Broad incumbents

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): NIB is the largest employment-focused nonprofit for the blind in the U.S., operating AbilityOne contracts and a national distribution network. Comparable in addressing blindness through employment, but at much greater scale and with a manufacturing/distribution focus versus Miami Lighthouse's service mix.
• American Foundation for the Blind: AFB is a national nonprofit focused on advocacy, research, and policy for the blind and visually impaired. Comparable mission scope but operates as a broader national policy and research body rather than a direct-service provider like Miami Lighthouse.
• Vispero (Freedom Scientific / Enhanced Vision): Vispero is the largest assistive technology company for the blind and low vision market, owning Freedom Scientific (JAWS), Optelec, and Enhanced Vision. Comparable as the incumbent player in the same low-vision/assistive-tech market that Miami Lighthouse sells through LighthouseShop.org.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Miamilighthouse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/miamilighthouse2009/videos?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/themiamilighthouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/miamilighthouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/themiamilighthouse/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired