Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1900
- HeadquartersSilver Spring, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind does
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 53-0196609), founded in 1900 in Washington, D.C., and headquartered at 1825 K Street NW since 2000 with a regional office in Silver Spring, Maryland. The organization delivers services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the Greater Washington (DC, Maryland, Virginia) region across thirteen programs spanning the lifespan: assistive technology training, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, low vision evaluation, workforce development, DeafBlind services, youth and family programs (Camp Lighthouse, LITE, Tech Saturday), and the flagship Foundations of Adjustment to Blindness (FAB) course. CLB employs Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists to deliver one-on-one customized instruction free of charge to clients.
The business model is hybrid nonprofit funding with three revenue streams: tax-deductible donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations; federal government contracts managed through the AbilityOne program via the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) — CLB currently operates 13 federal contracts employing 57 people, 75% of whom are blind or visually impaired; and the ISO 9000-certified Digital Data Scan (DDS) professional service, which provides document conversion for federal agencies using a workforce that includes blind and visually impaired professionals. Service delivery occurs through in-person offices and virtual channels (Circle of Friends, virtual volunteer orientations). Distribution is direct-to-consumer with referrals from area eye doctors, supplemented by outreach to caregivers, employers seeking inclusive workforce talent, and the broader DMV blind and low-vision community of approximately 77,463 individuals.
Operational scale is documented at 21,659 direct adult service hours (2020-2025) and 2,293 direct youth service hours (2020-2024). CLB maintains a public-facing free Website Accessibility Scanner tool and a coordinated 125th anniversary campaign tied to October 1, 2026. The organization is led by CEO Rebecca Liko, COO Zachary Brewer, and CFO Vlad Mitrofanov, supported by directors of Marketing & Strategy, Community Advocacy and Engagement, Client Services, and Government and Commercial Relations.
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
- Legal name
- Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
- Website
- https://clb.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1900
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vision Rehabilitation and Disability Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF)
Keywords
Where Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Silver Spring
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations funding programs, technology, training, and counseling services.
- Federal Government Contracts: CLB manages 13 Federal government contracts through the AbilityOne program (National Industries for the Blind). Contracts include Administrative Support, Section 508 Assurance Service, Document Management (DDS), and Contract Management Services. Employs 57 people, 75% blind or visually impaired.
- Digital Data Scan (DDS): ISO 9000-certified document conversion service converting paper files to electronic documents for federal government agencies. Provides employment for blind or visually impaired professionals.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free programs, training, and rehabilitation services for people who are blind or visually impaired across the Greater Washington DC (DMV) region. The organization delivers 13 lifespan-spanning programs including orientation and mobility training, assistive technology instruction, low vision evaluations, independent living skills, workforce development, youth programs, and case management for seniors. It also operates Digital Data Scan (DDS), an ISO 9000-certified document conversion service, and manages 13 Federal government contracts through the AbilityOne/National Industries for the Blind program.
Product overview
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind operates as a nonprofit social services organization offering 13 programs across the lifespan for people who are blind or visually impaired in the Washington, DC region. The core service portfolio includes accessibility consulting, assistive technology training, low vision evaluations, orientation and mobility training, independent living skills, workforce development, and youth/family programs. The flagship program is Foundations of Adjustment to Blindness (FAB), which provides comprehensive training in orientation and mobility, assistive technology, and independent living skills. Additional offerings include Camp Lighthouse for children, Case Management Services for seniors, DeafBlind Services, Government Services contracts, and Digital Data Scan (DDS) document conversion. Specialized tools include the Website Accessibility Scanner for checking web page accessibility barriers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Foundations of Adjustment to Blindness (FAB)
Quantifiable outcome
- 77,463 people who are blind or have low vision served in Greater Washington region
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- National Industries for the BlindflagshipVenue host for CLB's 125th Anniversary Celebration on October 1, 2026. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, directly across from Potomac Yard Metro station.
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB)coreCLB is an AbilityOne agency through the National Industries for the Blind. CLB manages 13 Federal government contracts under this partnership, employing 57 people with 75% being blind or visually impaired.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)minorIn 1950, Columbia Polytechnic Institute (now CLB) collaborated with AFB and NIB to conduct a survey of people in the Washington region who were blind to better understand how to meet that population's needs.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind social profiles
Digital presenceColumbia Lighthouse for the Blind financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
What does Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind do?
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free programs, training, and rehabilitation services for people who are blind or visually impaired across the Greater Washington DC (DMV) region. The organization delivers 13 lifespan-spanning programs including orientation and mobility training, assistive technology instruction, low vision evaluations, independent living skills, workforce development, youth programs, and case management for seniors. It also operates Digital Data Scan (DDS), an ISO 9000-certified document conversion service, and manages 13 Federal government contracts through the AbilityOne/National Industries for the Blind program.
Is Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind a public or private company?
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind founded?
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind was founded in 1900. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind based?
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is headquartered in Silver Spring, United States, in the North America region.
How does Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are federal Government Contracts and digital Data Scan (DDS).
Does Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind have an API?
No public API is recorded for Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.
What industry is Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in?
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind's product category is Vision Rehabilitation and Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech), with a secondary code of EDAKAIAF, Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8000.