What Guiding Light does

Guiding Light Mission, Inc. is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1929 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, providing long-term residential addiction recovery services at no cost to participants. The organization operates a three-phase recovery model, Foundations (4-month residential), Achieve (job-readiness and employment connections), and Iron House (long-term sober living apartments), supplemented by life coaching, evidence-based therapy including CBT and DBT delivered twice weekly, pastoral care, family restoration support, and a food ministry serving three meals daily. The men's program serves 79 men per month across facilities, with 79% of men who complete the full continuum achieving at least one year of sobriety compared to 33% for those attempting recovery unaided; a parallel women's program launched in June 2024 serves 11-13 women at Kendra's House with day programming at Aquinas College, supported by Ruth's House and Esther's House sober living. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, with no insurance, government funding, or participant fees. Sources include individual monthly giving (LightKeeper program at $10/month), family foundation grants (David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation, MacDougal Family Foundation), corporate sponsorships at tiered Beacon/Lantern levels (Amway, Fifth Third Bank, Gordon Food Service), planned giving through the Heritage Society in partnership with Barnabas Foundation, and modest rent from Iron House residents that functions as a social enterprise. The organization operates 11 facilities with nightly capacity for 102 individuals, employs 20+ staff, and holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating (98% score) and Platinum GuideStar status.

Name

Guiding Light

Legal name

Guiding Light Mission, Inc.

Website

https://guidinglightworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Guiding Light is a 95-year-old Grand Rapids, Michigan nonprofit providing 4-6 month faith-based residential addiction recovery for men and women at no cost, serving 79 men and 11-13 women monthly across 11 facilities with 79% one-year sobriety outcomes. The organization is 100% donor-funded.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Addiction Recovery Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

Keywords

• Faith-based recovery
• Residential addiction treatment
• Sober living housing
• Long-term rehab program
• Trauma-informed care

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monthly recurring donations through LightKeeper program ($10/month), one-time donations, and major gifts from individual donors. Donors receive recognition, invitations to events, and newsletter updates.
2. Foundation Grants: Support from family foundations including David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation, MacDougal Family Foundation, and Richard and Paula Nelson.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Support from businesses including Amway, Fifth Third Bank, Gordon Food Service, and others at various partnership tiers (Beacon, Torch, Lantern, Flare, Flame).
4. Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Heritage Society members include Guiding Light in estate plans through wills, trusts, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions.
5. Iron House Social Enterprise: Men's modest rent at Iron House sober living apartments reinvests in property management and Guiding Light's programs, serving as a dual-purpose social enterprise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Guiding Light provides faith-based, long-term residential addiction recovery programming for men and women in Grand Rapids, Michigan, delivered at no cost to participants and funded entirely by donor contributions. The core offering is a 4-6 month residential inpatient program combining evidence-based therapy (CBT and DBT), life coaching, spiritual direction, and employment readiness, followed by transitional sober living housing (Iron House for men, Ruth's House and Esther's House for women) and integration into independent living.

Product overview

Guiding Light is a faith-based non-profit organization offering a comprehensive addiction recovery ecosystem. The core offerings include two residential addiction rehab programs: a Men's Recovery Program (4-6 months) and a Women's Recovery Program (4-6 months, launched June 2024), both provided at no cost to participants. These residential programs feed into sober living housing: Iron House for men (apartments in Kentwood) and Ruth's House/Esther's House for women. Supporting services include Food Ministry (meals 3x daily plus holiday meals), LightKeeper monthly giving program, Heritage Society legacy giving, community support groups (AA meetings), and The Light Post quarterly newsletter. The organization operates 11 facilities with capacity for 102 individuals nightly, serving Grand Rapids and West Michigan since 1929.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LightKeeper: Monthly giving program for donors supporting Guiding Light's recovery programs
• The Light Post
• Guiding Light Heritage Society
• Guiding Light Live

Products and services

• Men's Addiction Recovery Program A 4-6 month residential inpatient addiction rehab program for men struggling with addiction, homelessness, and hopelessness. Combines life coaching, therapy, support groups, spiritual direction, family support, community, evidence-based practices (CBT & DBT), and employment readiness at no cost to participants. Three phases: Foundations (4 months of residential programming), Achieve (employment connections), and transition to Iron House sober living.
• Women's Addiction Recovery Program A 4-6 month residential inpatient recovery program specifically designed for women. Trauma-informed, highly relational, and comprehensive, addressing mind, body, and spirit. Combines life coaching, therapy, support groups, spiritual direction, family support, community, employment readiness, and YMCA access. Participants live at Kendra's House and attend daily programming at a downtown day center at no cost.
• Iron House Sober Living A community of renovated 2-bedroom apartments in Kentwood, Michigan serving as long-term sober living for men who have completed the recovery program. Men work full-time, pay modest rent, and participate in support groups and community meetings. Average stay exceeds one year, with many residents staying 2-3 years. The community reports a 79% sobriety rate for men reaching at least one year of abstinence-based sobriety.
• Ruth's House and Esther's House (Women's Sober Living) Sober living homes for women who have completed the addiction recovery programming. Named after two long-time dedicated volunteers. Women work full-time, pay modest rent, and participate in support groups and community meetings. Provides safe, dignified long-term housing with comprehensive support.
• Food Ministry Food service program providing nutritious meals 3 times a day, 7 days a week for all clients. Also hosts holiday meals (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) for the Heartside community and shares food and supplies with neighboring organizations serving women, children, and people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
• LightKeeper Monthly Giving Program Monthly giving program where donors contribute $10/month to support men and women in recovery. Provides food, shelter, recovery programming, workforce development, and permanent housing support. Includes perks such as LightKeeper reception invitations, monthly email updates, and reserved seats at events.
• Heritage Society (Legacy/Planned Giving) Legacy giving program for donors who include Guiding Light in their estate plans or wills. Members receive a name plaque at the facility, VIP communications, event invitations, special gifts, and a membership certificate signed by the Executive Director.
• Community Support Groups Support group meetings (including AA) held three times a week at Guiding Light facilities. Open to community members, with coffee and refreshments provided. Partnerships with Lanturn for monthly family meetings and FAN (Face Addiction Now) for substance use disorder resources.
• The Light Post Newsletter

Quantifiable outcome

• 79% of men who complete Foundations program and move to Iron House reach at least one year of sobriety
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Our HopeminorOthersLocal nonprofit organization serving women and children. Guiding Light shares food and food supplies with Our Hope as part of food ministry partnership.
• Degage MinistriesminorOthersLocal nonprofit serving those experiencing poverty and homelessness. Guiding Light shares food with Degage through community food ministry.
• Exodus PlaceminorOthersLocal nonprofit serving men and women in need. Partner in food ministry distribution network.
• YMCA Grand RapidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Saturday morning gym access for men in recovery. Supports physical fitness component of holistic recovery approach. Men travel to Downtown Grand Rapids YMCA for workouts as part of physical wellness programming.
• Aquinas CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's recovery programming day center located at Aquinas College campus. Partnership provides dedicated space for women's daily programming in a setting conducive to transformation and growth.
• LanturnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner that provides monthly family meetings at Guiding Light for family members or spouses of those struggling with addiction. Curriculum helps families navigate recovery alongside their loved ones.
• FAN (Face Addiction Now)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization guiding individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorder. Provides free programs, educational initiatives and resources that create pathways to recovery and prevention.
• Barnabas FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanned giving partner since 1976. Offers supporters complimentary planning services and assistance with complex gifts. Provides free legal and financial counsel for estate planning and legacy giving.
• Gilda's Club Grand RapidsminorOthersFree emotional health support community. Listed as resource for families dealing with grief and loss associated with addiction struggles.
• Pine RestminorOthersDetox services provider recommended to individuals needing safe detox before entering Guiding Light recovery. Call 866-852-4001.
• New Vision Withdrawal ManagementminorOthersDetox services near the lakeshore. Accepts any county Medicaid without requiring Network 180 referral.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mel Trotter Ministries: Grand Rapids-based faith-rooted nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, and recovery-oriented programming for men and women experiencing homelessness and addiction. Operates residential recovery pathways comparable in structure to Guiding Light's Foundations/Iron House model.
• Adult & Teen Challenge: National faith-based residential addiction recovery network operating long-term programs (typically 12+ months) with spiritual-formation curriculum. Closest national analogue to Guiding Light's combined CBT/DBT + spiritual-formation residential model.

Emerging players

• FAN (Face Addiction Now): Michigan-based nonprofit providing free programs, educational initiatives, and resources for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Listed resource partner of Guiding Light; comparable in mission but focused on advocacy and education rather than residential treatment.

Broad incumbents

• Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services: Largest behavioral health provider in West Michigan operating inpatient, outpatient, and detox services. Guiding Light's listed referral partner for detox prior to program entry; comparable in clinical legitimacy and regional behavioral health footprint.
• Catholic Charities West Michigan: Regional faith-based social services organization providing behavioral health, recovery housing, and community support across West Michigan. Comparable faith-rooted, donation- and grant-funded residential recovery housing operations.
• Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers: Operates a national network of faith-based residential rehabilitation centers (typically 6-month programs) with work therapy, spiritual programming, and donated funding model. Comparable in length of stay and donor-funded economics, though much larger scale.

Regional players

• Hope Network: Michigan-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, recovery, and developmental disability services including residential recovery programs across the state. Comparable in mission and Michigan geography, though broader in scope beyond addiction.
• Our Hope: Grand Rapids-area nonprofit providing residential recovery specifically for women and children. Listed food ministry partner of Guiding Light; directly comparable women's-only residential mission within the same metro.
• Degage Ministries: Grand Rapids-based nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction with residential pathways and community support. Direct referral partner of Guiding Light; comparable in scale and Heartside neighborhood footprint.
• Exodus Place: Grand Rapids nonprofit serving men and women in need through residential programs and recovery support. Listed community food-distribution partner of Guiding Light; comparable men-focused residential recovery model in the same region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@guidinglightworks
• Facebookfacebook.com/GuidingLightWorks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/guidinglightworks
• Instagraminstagram.com/guidinglightworks

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Guiding Light