Annual Report 2024 – Text-only (HTML) Version
Cover
Lighthouse Guild 2024 Annual Report
Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future
[Description of Layout: The cover features a montage of photographs within hexagon shapes.]
[Upper Left Hexagon Image Description: Lighthouse Guild client Fitz walks along a sidewalk in New York City, aided by a white cane. An iron fence surrounds a lush green park in the background.]
[Middle Row, Left Hexagon Image Description: Lighthouse Guild client Audrey and her guide dog, a German Shepherd named Umpire, stand on a New York City streetcorner. Umpire cocks his head inquisitively at the camera.]
[Middle Row, Right Hexagon Image Description: Lighthouse Guild client Amanie stands at the top of subway stairs on a New York City streetcorner, using a white cane and a mobile phone to aid her navigation.]
[Lower Right Hexagon Image Description: Lighthouse Guild client Peter and his guide dog, a yellow Labrador Retriever named Inga, stride confidently down a path in a New York City park.]
Table of Contents
Lighthouse Guild 2024 Annual Report
Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future
Table of Contents
Our Mission
Our Vision
Dear Friends,
Honoring Our Past
Shaping Our Future
2024 In Focus
Creating Connections, Sparking Joy
Programs & Services
Our Supporters
Corporate Engagement Partners
Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2024
Leadership
Inside Front Cover
Our Mission
Lighthouse Guild provides exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals.
Our Vision
A world in which no person is limited by their visual capacity.
On the Cover
Celebrating over a century of compassionate care while pioneering tomorrow’s vision innovation — honoring our past, shaping our future. Lighthouse Guild clients, from left to right: Fitz; Audrey and her guide dog, Umpire; Amanie; Peter and his guide dog, Inga.
[Image Descriptions: Thumbnail photos arranged in a row show the cover images of Lighthouse Guild clients Fitz; Audrey with guide dog Umpire; Amanie; and Peter with guide dog Inga.]
Page 1
[Upper right Image Description: Thomas A. Panek, President & CEO; and James M. Dubin, Board Chair stand smiling in front of a wall of Lighthouse Guild logos.]
Dear Friends,
As we present Lighthouse Guild’s Annual Report, we reflect on our past while shaping our future. In 2024, Lighthouse Guild celebrated a decade of unified service, merging the storied legacies of Lighthouse International and the Jewish Guild for the Blind. We have converged our collective compassion, becoming one stronger, transformative organization leading the way for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Inside, you’ll discover our 2024 milestones, metrics, and vibrant programs that change people’s lives for the better. We saw a big smile from a 6-year-old girl who received her first pair of glasses from Lighthouse Guild, enabling her to experience the wonder of clear vision for the first time. We helped Danielle, who passed her final exam and earned her GED. We also served thousands more people in need, including Laurie, who visited our Technology Center for assistive tech devices to help advance her work as an author.
Laurie says it best: “I’m incredibly impressed by the services Lighthouse Guild provides. They are so unbelievably accommodating, and they keep coming up with new and different ways to help people with vision loss.”
These stories reflect the hard work of our staff, and the dedication of our volunteers and supporters. We see an even brighter future in the decades to come.
We could not have provided that child with her first pair of glasses, helped students like Danielle pursue her education, or offered Laurie the support she needed without our volunteers, donors and professionals who embody the heart of our mission. Over the past year alone, we’ve provided 8,000 Health Center visits, 1,100 Tele-Support connections across the country, and pioneered research that moves us all forward.
Lighthouse Guild is poised to expand services, leverage emerging technologies, and foster even more opportunities for our collective compassion to shine. We invite you to join us in shaping a future with more smiles — one where no one is limited by their vision loss.
With our deepest gratitude,
James M. Dubin, Chairman
[Image Description: James Dubin’s Signature]
Thomas A. Panek, President & CEO
[Image Description: Thomas A. Panek’s Signature]
Page 2
Honoring Our Past
[Description of Layout: There are 3 archival photos on this page, representing three eras of Lighthouse Guild history.]
1905
[Left Image Description: Lighthouse Guild founders, sisters Winifred and Edith Holt, are pictured with Edith’s daughter Winifred Holt Bloodgood. The black and white photo, taken in 1905, shows the women in formal period dress.]
1920
[Right Top Image Description: A black and white photo, taken in 1920, shows attendees of the first meeting of the New York Guild for the Jewish Blind. Three men pose standing behind five seated women. All are in formal period dress.]
1960s
[Right Bottom Image Description: A black and white photo, taken in 1960, shows a chic young woman in a buttoned-up coat descending the steps of a city bus. She uses a white cane as a man in a fedora assists her. A uniformed bus driver looks on in the background.]
Page 3
[Description of Layout: At the top of the page is a quotation from the archives. Informational blocks of text about six eras of Lighthouse Guild history are listed below that quotation.]
“A young woman totally blind‚ came to us. Thanks to the Lighthouse, today she has sufficient sight to be independent, and she is entirely self-supporting.” — 1914 Annual Report
1905
Sisters Winifred and Edith Holt, pictured with Edith’s daughter Winifred Holt Bloodgood, founded The Lighthouse.
1914
The first meeting of the New York Guild for the Jewish Blind is held. The organization provides care and support for blind children, and improves physical, mental, and economic conditions for blind adults.
1920
Guild founders, photographed in June 1920, opened the Jewish Guild’s Home for Blind Children in Yonkers, New York.
1960
The New York Guild for the Jewish Blind is renamed The Jewish Guild for the Blind to reflect its nonsectarian status.
2014
Jewish Guild for the Blind and Lighthouse International joined as one organization.
2025 and Beyond
Our Board of Directors selected Thomas A. Panek as President & CEO; he is the first Lighthouse Guild CEO with the lived experience of vision loss. Mr. Panek succeeds Calvin Roberts, MD, who led our organization with distinction. The Board also appointed Maura Sweeney, a vital part of Lighthouse Guild since 2010, as COO.
Page 4
Shaping Our Future
[Description of Layout: Page 4 shows a montage of images and text inside hexagonal shapes]
In 2024, we served more than 6,500 clients
- 3,400 were helped at 8,000 Health Center Visits
- 600 received 14,150 Behavioral Health Sessions
Our 2024 performance reflects a timeless commitment to vision health — honoring the groundwork of our past as we build systems for generations to come.
[Top Image Description: A Lighthouse Guild client at the Adult Day Health Care program works on a craft project, smiling as she strings colorful beads onto a cord.]
[Second Row Image Description: In the Health Center, an optometrist in a white lab coat assists a male Lighthouse Guild client with measuring their vision.]
[Third Row Image Description: In the Health Center, an occupational therapist in a white lab coat looks on as a female Lighthouse Guild client tries on a wearable assistive technology headset.]
[Bottom Image Description: A male client at Adult Day Health Care, clad in a US Flag-patterned jacket, laughs joyfully at the camera.]
[Pages 4-5, Center Image Description: Two women – one a Lighthouse Guild staff member, the other a client – compare images on their mobile phones.]
Page 5
[Description of Layout: Page 5 continues the montage of images and text inside hexagonal shapes that began on page 4. There is client’s quotation at the top.]
“Everything about the organization tells me they understand what I am going through and can help me adapt to this new world.” — Nisha, Client
- 1,200 received Rehabilitation Services
- 1,100 participated in Tele-Support Groups
- 475 enrolled in Technology Workshops
- 300 attended 32,000 GuildCare Adult Day Health Care Sessions
[Top Image Description: A male Lighthouse Guild client is seated with his white cane in hand.]
[Middle Image Description: Outside Lighthouse Guild offices in New York City, a male Lighthouse Guild client smiles in a welcoming fashion. The Lighthouse Guild logo and door are visible in the background.
[Bottom Image Description: A female Lighthouse Guild client enjoys being pampered by volunteers during a makeup session during Spa Day at the Adult Day Health Care program.]
Page 6
2024 In Focus
[Description of Layout: Page 6 shows a montage of images highlighting Lighthouse Guild events that took place in 2024. For each event highlighted there is caption under a group of two photos.]
Our events, historically a signature of Lighthouse Guild, unite the community in purpose and camaraderie. From inspiring benefit galas to inclusive sporting events, these gatherings create spaces for celebration while fueling our mission through critical donor support. Together, we turn moments of joy into lasting impact.
Palm Beach Visionary Evening
The 2024 Palm Beach Visionary Evening drew 180 glamorous guests and raised $500,000 in support of our programs and services.
[Top Left Image Description: At the Palm Beach Visionary Evening, two Lighthouse Guild clients smile for the camera in evening dresses: Grace with her guide dog DeMarco, and Kiana with her white cane.]
[Top Middle Image Description: At the Palm Beach Visionary Evening, performers Seth Sikes and Billy Stritch smile for the camera in tuxedos.]
[Top Right Image Description: At the Palm Beach Visionary Evening, two Lighthouse Guild supporters smile for the camera in evening dresses: Beth DeWoody and Jennifer Fischer.]
TD Five Boro Bike Tour
We cycled through New York City at the 2024 TD Five Boro Bike Tour, raising awareness of our mission.
[Bottom Left Image Description: During the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, a group of 16 excited and happy cyclists, clad in bike gear and helmets, pose for the camera on a New York City street.]
[Bottom Right Image Description: At the starting line of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, Lighthouse Guild Director of Marketing & Communications Jeremy Morak, on his bike, smiles in anticipation as he gets ready to roll.]
Page 7
[Description of Layout: Page 7 shows a montage of images highlighting Lighthouse Guild events that took place in 2024. For each event highlighted there is caption under some photos. There is a client’s quotation at the top of the page.]
“Here, I’ve been embraced by people who care. They’ve given me the courage to take each step forward.”— Stephanie, Client
Explorer’s Club
Celebrating scientific innovation, 135 guests raised $200,000 at “An Evening of Discovery,” held at New York City’s historic Explorer’s Club.
[Top Left Image Description: During An Evening of Discovery at the Explorer’s Club in New York City, Lighthouse Guild client Matthew speaks at a podium marked with a Lighthouse Guild logo.]
[Top Right Image Description: A view of attendees, seated at their round dining tables, watch the presentation at the Explorer’s Club in New York City during An Evening of Discovery.]
Blind Baseball Clinic
Lighthouse Guild knocked it out of the park at our second annual Blind Baseball Clinic in New York City.
[Bottom Left Image Description: In New York City’s Central Park, the Lighthouse Guild team poses during a Blind Baseball Clinic for the Lighthouse Guild youth program. Many are wearing purple Lighthouse Guild t-shirts. Tall trees and skyscrapers soar in the background.]
[Bottom Right Image Description: In a gymnasium, a young woman is assisted by an older man in learning how to swing a bat during a Blind Baseball Clinic.]
Page 8
Creating Connections, Sparking Joy
[Description of Layout: Page 8 shows a montage of images highlighting Lighthouse Guild seasonal activities that took place in 2024. For each activity there is caption under some photos.]
Corporate partners and community volunteers brought joy and connection into the lives of participants in our Saturday Youth and Adult Day Health Care Programs. These shared moments of laughter and creativity brightened daily routines and reinforced our commitment to inclusive, meaningful social engagement.
[Top Left Image Description: Two Lighthouse Guild clients, a man and a woman, work on a jigsaw puzzle during the Adult Day Health Care program.]
[Top Right Image Description: A female Lighthouse Guild client laughs for the camera as she works on an art project during the Adult Day Health Care program.]
[Bottom Left Image Description: A room full of Lighthouse Guild clients complete fall-themed craft projects during the Adult Day Health Care program. The room is decorated with colorful red and yellow balloons.]
[Bottom Right Image Description: Teens wearing protective goggles and elbow pads clown for the camera in a gymnasium while participating in a goalball clinic with the Saturday Youth Program.]
Page 9
[Description of Layout: Page 9 shows a montage of images highlighting Lighthouse Guild seasonal activities that took place in 2024. For each activity there is caption under some photos. There is a client’s quotation at the top of the page.]
“They gave me all the tools I needed to be Independent… I feel like I am home again.” — Suleiman, Client
[Top Left Image Description: A woman wearing a bright red shirt dances joyfully during the Adult Day Health Care program.]
[Top Right Image Description: Volunteers at the Adult Day Health Care program play Santa by placing gift bags under a festively decorated Christmas tree.]
[Bottom Left Image Description: During a holiday party at the Adult Day Health Care program, a volunteer wearing an elf hat, holiday glasses and a red bow tie assists a client with a craft project.]
[Bottom Left Image Description: Kids from Saturday Youth Program show off their holiday gifts proudly for the camera. Holiday decorations including a Star of David, a snowflake and a giant candy cane are visible in the background.]
Page 10
[Full page Image Description: Volunteer Michelle, wearing a name tag, assists a female client, who is concentrating on stringing beads during an art project at the Adult Day Health Care program.]
Image Caption: Volunteers are a vital part of our community. Here, a volunteer assists a client in Adult Day Health Care.
Page 11
Programs & Services
Lighthouse Guild’s programs and services bridge our legacy with our promise for a bold future. Today, we empower thousands through comprehensive low vision and health care, we build community-driven support networks that span generations, and we shape tomorrow’s innovation with groundbreaking research.
Healthcare Services
Low Vision Eye Care
We specialize in treating low vision that glasses, contact lenses, or surgery cannot fully correct. Through comprehensive eye exams, our medical team helps our clients maintain a healthy lifestyle and optimize their vision.
Behavioral Health
Our Dorothy Strelsin Behavioral Health Clinic is the only behavioral health center in the U.S. for people who are visually impaired or at risk for vision loss. Services include individual and group therapy; and couples and family counseling.
Health Services
Visual impairment and blindness impact overall health — so we work with our clients to coordinate a comprehensive plan of care. Our approach incorporates primary medical care with specialists in diabetes, endocrinology, and nutrition.
Adult Day Health Care
Unique in New York State, this program provides adults who are blind or have low vision the opportunity to receive daily health services and enjoy a day that nurtures wellness and social interaction.
[Top Left Image Description: An optometrist in a white lab coat performs an eye exam on Bill, a Lighthouse Guild client.]
[Bottom Left Image Description: Two Lighthouse Guild clients clap and cheer at a holiday-themed table during a party at the Adult Day Health Care program.]
Page 12
Support & Wellness Services
Tele-Support Groups
Our national network enables people of all ages with vision loss and their family members to connect with their peers to share resources, experiences and support.
Assistive Technology Training
At our Technology Center, we teach people with vision loss essential computer and adaptive technology skills to support them in work, school, and everyday life. The Center also serves as a hub where innovators beta-test technology with users.
Independent Living Program
Our Marilyn and Francine Gruder Independent Living Skills Program helps clients build confidence in their home environment. We provide orientation and mobility training as well as skill development for self-care, communication, organization, and financial management.
Youth & Teen Support
Age-appropriate programs for preschool children, youths age 6-13, and teens age 14-21 who are blind or visually impaired promote self-confidence through enhanced social skills, strength, creativity, and access to the world.
Academic & Career Services
We help people who are blind or visually impaired prepare for college, land internships, and thrive in meaningful employment through our academic services and workplace readiness training.
Reading Services
Our signature free reading services connect our clients with volunteers who can help them access a wide variety of personal, academic and professional materials.
[Top Right Image Description: Academic & Career Services Client Danielle, wearing a graduation cap, proudly shows off her diploma.]
“It’s never too late, and it’s important to never give up and to keep pushing forward.”— Danielle, Academic Services Client
[Lower Right Image Description: Charli, a Lighthouse Guild scholarship winner, poses with her black Labrador Retriever guide dog in front of beautiful green landscaping.]
In 2024, we awarded $160,000 in scholarships to 10 college and 6 graduate school students.
Page 13
[Top Left Image Description: We peer over the shoulder of a Lighthouse Guild staff member, who is working on the computer to access an eLearning program.]
In 2024, 250 professionals accessed 400+ hours of eLearning Programs.
[Middle Left Image Description: Dr. William Seiple, Lighthouse Guild Chief Research Officer, demonstrates clinical research on his computer as a female colleague looks on.]
“(Assistive technologies) hold tremendous promise for creating a more inclusive, accessible world for people with vision loss.” — William H. Seiple, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Guild
Research & Publications
Research Studies
We are engaged in 10+ ongoing research initiatives, collaborating with university researchers on a wide range of topics including vision rehabilitation and assistive technologies.
Clinical Research
We provide our patients and clients with cutting-edge therapies and treatments, available through participation in clinical research trials.
Lectures
The annual Lighthouse Guild Awards Lectures recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in vision research, technological innovation, and dedicated advocacy.
Professional Educational eLearning
Lighthouse Guild’s online programs help professionals stay current with vision loss care, offering flexible, self-paced access to the latest research, clinical practices, and technological advances in the field.
[Lower Right Image Description: Seated around a conference table, a group of Lighthouse Guild community members participate in a research study.]
Page 14
Lighthouse Guild’s Tech Pals
Our Tech Pals program is a powerful intergenerational model that leverages shared experiences to bridge the technology gap for people with vision loss; honoring the wisdom of older adults and the tech-savvy insights of young mentors.
The program matches adults age 18-24 with older adults age 55+ who are also adapting to vision loss.
Our mentors teach their partners how to use accessibility tools on their mobile phones and tablets, such as screen readers, magnification apps, and voice commands.
At the same time, the mentors gain valuable skills and work experience. This program’s reciprocal approach builds reliability and trust, as mentors understand the practical and emotional hurdles of vision loss and participants build strong connections.
Tech Pals mentor Laisha said her experience working with older adults was truly meaningful, helping her both improve her own technology skills and give back to the community of people who are visually impaired.
Laisha shares that on the first day of the program, Gloria, an older woman, wanted to improve her independence by learning to use a mobile phone. During the session, Gloria learned to call and text family members for the first time. Laisha says, “We were all so excited for her that we clapped and cheered. It was an awesome moment.”
[Image Description: A group of Tech Pals mentors gather in a conference room, posing proudly for the camera. They are joined by two Lighthouse Guild staff members.]
Page 15
[Description of Layout: Page15 shows a montage of images illustrating the Tech Pals program. There is a client’s quotation on the bottom right corner of the page.]
[Top Left Image Description: A female Tech Pals mentor assists client Mary with her mobile phone as Mary smiles.]
[Bottom Left Image Description: Tech Pals mentor Laisha smiles for the camera, wearing a bright pink blouse.]
[Top Right Image Description: A female Tech Pals client concentrates on her mobile phone as her mentor looks on. The red tip of her cane is visible in the foreground.]
[Bottom Right Image Description: Two female Tech Pals program participants, a mentee and a mentor, smile for the camera with a mobile phone on the table between them.]
“It’s a wonderful experience, and the older adults who participate in the program are inspiring. Helping them feel more confident by learning skills such as how to use a mobile phone makes my day.” — Laisha, Tech Pals Mentor
Page 16
[Full page Image Description: A group of three teenage girls laugh at the cash register during an outing to Target, as part of the summer Youth Pathways Program.]
Image Caption: Through our Youth & Teen Support Programs, our community’s young people develop both life skills and lasting friendships.
Page 17
Our Supporters
Thank you for honoring our legacy and shaping new possibilities during the 2024 fiscal year, January 1, 2024–December 31, 2024.
$100,000 +
The Blavatnik Family Foundation
Rachel Zacharia Brier Foundation
E.H.C. Foundation / The New York Community Trust
Lavelle Fund for the Blind
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Dina and George Perry
$50,000 – $99,999
The Enoch Foundation
The Honorable David T. Fischer & Jennifer Fischer
Laurie Kayden Foundation
The Brian Mendell Memorial Fund
Jerome A. & Estelle R. Newman Assistance Fund
New York Community Trust
O’Neill Family Charitable Trust
Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation
The Frances G. Scaife Private Foundation
$25,000 – $49,000
Sandra Atlas Bass Fund & Edythe & Sol G. Atlas Fund, Inc.
Llewellyn Burchell Charitable Trust
The Richard E. Capri Foundation
Consumer Technology Association / John Shalam
CUNY Campaign for Charitable Giving
Gerard & Roberta Davis Charitable Trust
Sarah deCoizart Charitable Trust
The Lydia Collins DeForest Charitable Trust
The Ellen C. Goldschmidt Charitable Fund
Lawrence E. Goldschmidt
The Graham Family Foundation
Thomas G. Kahn
The Fay J. Lindner Foundation
The Omer Foundation
Thomas C. Quick
Allene Reuss Memorial Trust
Ping Y. Tai Foundation, Inc.
TisBest Philanthropy
Harry D. Triantafillu Fund / The New York Community Trust
George P. Wakefield Trust
Wally Findlay Galleries / James Borynack & Adolfo Zaralegui
The Wasily Family Foundation
Monique Weill-Caulier Charitable Trust
Nancy Worth, Esq.
$10,000 – $24,999
Sylvia Ablon
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Astellas Pharma
The Baumann Family Foundation
Kathleen H. Bleznak
The Block Friedman Family Foundation, Inc.
The Boxer Foundation
Cris Briger
The Paul & Pearl Caslow Foundation
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
James M. and Susan Dubin
Blanche T. Enders Charitable Trust
Epstein Teicher Philanthropies
The Ferriday Fund Charitable Trust
Peter R. Gimbel & Elga Andersen-Gimbel Memorial Trust
Thomas S.T. Gimbel
Allison Gulbrandsen
The Marc Haas Foundation
Candace Hamm
Alice Hanley
Cathie Black & Thomas E. Harvey
Margaret & Leo Meyer and Hans M. Hirsch Foundation
Barry S. Honig
Hudson Bay Capital
Syde Hurdus Foundation, Inc.
J.P.Morgan
Janssen Global Services, LLC
Kahn Brothers, LLC
Judy & Leonard Lauder*
Harold I. and Fay B. Liss Foundation
The Longhill Charitable Foundation
The David & Sondra Mack Foundation, Inc.
Mary Mahoney
Eric Margolis
Carole McNeil
Henry & Lucy Moses Fund
Joe G. Pacetti
Margaret C. Petrocelli
The Lois Pope Life Foundation
Proskauer Rose, LLP
Katharine Rayner
The Riversville Foundation / Ann Thivierge
Andrea & Calvin W. Roberts, MD
Beth Rogers
Bertha & Jacob Rosenberg Foundation
Leslie & Thomas A. Rosin
May & Samuel Rudin Family Foundation
The Mimi Saltzman Family Foundation
Denise J. Schwartz
The Shack Sackler Foundation
Martha Washington Straus-Harry H. Straus Foundation
Linda Filardi Talarico & Gary Talarico
The Thomas Family Fund
Page 18
$5,000 – $9,999
Catherine Adler
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Angelica & Dugald E. Baird
Michele M. & Lawrence R. Beyer Family Fund
Eugene G. & Margaret M.
Blackford Memorial Fund
Charter Communications / Spectrum
City National Bank
Lisa & John F. Cregan
Charles Crocker
Marios & Anna Damianides
William H. Donner Foundation
Patricia & Edward Falkenberg
Andrea & John Forbes Charitable Fund
Nancy & Craig Gibson
Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation
The Judy Taub Gold Fund
Audrey & Martin Gruss Foundation
The Gordon & Llura Gund Fund / Princeton Area Community Foundation
Susan K. Gutfreund
Helga Marston Foundation
Jeanne & Richard Kaskey Foundation
Eleanora Kennedy
Michele & Howard Kessler
Edward S. Kornreich
Laugh for Sight, Inc.
Donna & Scott Lieberman
MedEdicus
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter / Community Foundation of
Greater Greensboro
Leslie C. Quick
Leon V. Rosenberg*
Diane & Anthony Rutgers
Safety Facility Services
Kate & George Schweitzer
David Sherr
Isaac Souede
The Margo Sundheimer Foundation
Solon E. Summerfield Foundation
Christopher E. Starr, MD
Barbara Tober
Varnum DeRose Trust
Mary & Robert A. Vermylen
The Elias Wollerstein & Harriet M. Wollerstein Foundation
$1,000 -$4,999
Anonymous
Dr. & Mrs. Harry Agress, Jr.
Alkeus Pharmaceuticals
Louis M. & Laura K. Alpern
James F. Angiuli
Courtney Walsh Annesi
Stuart S. Applebaum Giving Fund
Amy Arentowicz
Avanzino & Moreno, PC
BDO
BNY Mellon
Baker & McKenzie, LLP
Bank of America
Christopher Babcock
Mark M. Jaskowiak & Georgina Baker
Judy & Joel Bauer
Laurie Bay
William Beadleston
Mrs. Henry C. Berger
Jill & Jay Bernstein
Blackbaud Giving Fund
Erick Blanc
Thomas H. Brantley
Sheryne & Richard Brekus
Pamela Brier
Elizabeth & Stanlee Brimberg / The Reich Fund
James J. Callan
Robert F. Campbell
Edward Celata
Nancy & Michael Chaffin Charitable Fund
Valerie Chianuri
John A. Chang
Miriam Cohen / Garey & Cohen CPAs LLC
Richard N. Cohen
Sandy Cold
Fred Colin / Dr. Maxwell & Florence C. Blumenreich Foundation
Amy & John Collins
Isabel Collins
Elizabeth Constabile
Betty & Stuart Cotton
Charles Craig
Michel Dana
The Ronald & Joan David Foundation
Charles DeBenedittis
H. Andrew Decker
The Delta Gamma Foundation
Robert de Rothschild
Brian J. Dever
Lynne & Jack Dodick, MD
Maura Cregan & Michael Donaldson
The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation
James Duffy & Lauren Oplinger
David Durkin
Amb. & Mrs. Edward Elson
Shannon Fairbanks
Anna & James Fantaci
Donald Bernstein & Dr. Jo Ellen Finkel
Pamela Fiori
Anne & Jerome Fisher*
Food Bank for New York City
Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, PC
The Glickenhaus Foundation
James & Wendy Gold
David Goldberg
Fern Portnoy & Roger O. Goldman*
Lisa Goldschmidt
Arlette Gordon
Mai Hallingby Harrison
Bonnie Erickson & Wayde Harrison
Janet & Stephen Hixson
Kevin R. Hoben / Omega Flex, Inc.
Aaron P. & Susan M. Hollander
Larry Horn
Andrea R. & Craig M. Horowitz
Arthur & Roberta Houghton
The Huisking Foundation
Lenore Hyatt
Sharon Jacquet
Indrani & Rajive Johri
KPMG, LLP
Elizabeth Kabler / The Rosensteil Foundation
Rita & Henry Kaplan Foundation
Nancy Ann & Samuel Karetsky
Nancy & Steve Karotkin
Leona Kern
Lauren King
Kleinow Family Foundation
Sarah Kramer
Page 19
Jerome & Dorothy Kretchmer
Linda & Gary Lachman
Robin Leacock
Hortley G. LeBlang Charitable Trust
George Ledes
David Lefty
The Leighton A. Rosenthal Family Foundation
Terry J. and Marvin S. Lerman, Esq.
The Anne Claire Lester Foundation
Andrew Levison
Erika & James Lewy
The Liman Foundation / Ellen Liman
Lisa Lipkin
Mike Lipkin
Mark A. Lukas
Hildegarde Mahoney / The Dana Foundation
Elisabeth St. B. McCarthy, Esq. & Timothy M. McCarthy, Esq.
Margaret & Ramsey MacMullen*
William Maher
Eric J. Maidenberg
Ursula N. & Roger A. Malloy
Annette Mandel
Ann V. McCarthy
Paul McDonald
The Curtis W. McGraw Foundation
Marietta M. McNulty
Janis & Alan Menken Foundation
Saroj & Sreedhar Menon
Mervin Livingston Schloss Fund
Metzger-Price Fund, LLC
John J. Miceli Memorial Fund
Asher H. Miller / The Hayward & Blanche Cirker Charitable Fund
Christine & Wesley Miller
Milliman
Burton S. Minkoff
Susan L. Morrison
Iris & Andrew Morse
Merle Mullin
Sharon & Robert C. Murray
Kenneth J. Nagel
Kathleen Navarro
The Richard & Barbara Nelson Foundation
The New York Community Trust
Lucia Nielsen
John O’sullivan
Kathrine Palmer
Deborah S. Freedman & Avram Paradise
Barbara Pearlman
Judith Pearlman
Robin & Steven Pinkow
Valerie Pollner
Anais Porthault
Dr. Carter A. Pottash
Pauline Raiff
Richard Rampell
Nataly Ritter
Karen Rogers
Tobe & Martin Rogowsky
Dr. Bruce P. Rosenthal
Samuel & Ruth Rosenwasser Charitable Trust
Nancy Ross
Richard Roth
Joel B. Rothman
Cynthia & Michael J. Rubin
Marjorie & Hans Rutimann
Pearl Salamon
Bruce K. Samuelson
Susan F. Schapiro
Michael Scheidies
Jaine Schmidt
Judith A. Schwartz
Marilyn G. Schwartz
Sheryl & Barry K. Schwartz
Gerard & Jody Schwarz
Barbara Serota
Samuel Seymour
Laine Siklos
Kathy Sloane
Judith L. Small
James R. Spence, Jr.
Ellen B. Stern
Marilyn & Kenneth D. Stern
Susan & Jeff Stern
Stifel Charitable Inc.
Elliot Stultz
Marjorie H. Sunshine
Maura J. Sweeney
Letty & Michael Tanchum
Maureen Lippe Taylor
Juliana Terian
Geoffrey Thomas
The Lynn P. Tishman Fund
Glen & Lynn Tobias
Mindy & Michael Tofias
Nancy Tsai
Unilever
Crispin Vaughan
Diana Vought
Jules Weber Foundation
Vicki & Ronald G. Weiner
Linda B. Weingarten
Saundra Whitney
Mark & Jane Wilf Family Foundation
Michel C. Witmer
Gail Worth
Lynn Zimmer
Kristin & Alex Zisson
Michael Zumoff
$500+
Tessa G. Ader
Toby & Ronald Altman
American Grayson Lanes / Nutmeg Bowl
Ayco Charitable Foundation
Dr. William P. Banner
Stuart J. Barish
Karin & Henry C. Barkhorn, III
Doreen & Gilbert Bassin
Amy & Steven D. Blecher
Arnold Bressler
Gary D. Brown
Micah Chase
Marvin H. Cheiten
Audrey Chen
Vivian & Daniel Chill
Joseph Corio
The David Foundation
Paul DePasquale
Rebecca & George T. Dewey, III
Joan Dulitz
Christy Ferrer
Tatyana & Alan J. Forman
Joan & Sanford J. Freilich
Norman Fried
Vanessa Gibson
Ruth & Jack Glantz Family Foundation
Candy & Richard Goldstein
Helen & Thomas P. Graham
The Ava & Neal Gross Fund
Lauren & Warren Harmel
Howard H. Hinck
Ruth Streeter & Charles Hirschler
Blanche Hogquist
Joan Holmes
Page 20
Catherine G. Hope
Ruth L. Hutter
Jill Sussman & Victor Imbimbo
Ann Jacobs
Diane Jacobs
Frederick L. Jacobson
Marc Lessner
Myril L. Kaplan
Howard Kei
Ellen Keszler
Kenneth King
Stuart Koenig
Susan J. Laskey
Cindy Leibovitch
Erica Mackoul
Ann & Philip B. Miller
David & Inez Myers Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Dorla M. Myvett
Vishal Nair
Harold & Beatrice Ponn Endowment Fund
Regeneron
Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Fern Hurst & Peter Rubin
Dr. William B. Salton
Helene Simon
William Stein
Katherine Stern
Marilyn Stern
Vera Strauss
Richard Sturgeon
Judith & Michael E. Thoyer
Neil Trushin
Betsy & Wally Turner
Waltham Community Foundation, Inc.
Diane Weiner
Samuel Weinstein Family Foundation
Maximilian Winter
Michael Wojcik
Rachel L. Wolf
Marjorie & Robert Younglof
* In Memoriam
Lighthouse Guild is grateful to the many generous individuals who support us each year. We have made every effort to ensure the completeness and accuracy of this list. However, if you notice an error, please accept our sincere apologies and notify Phyllis Farmer at 646-874-8445 or farmerp@lighthouseguild.org.
Corporate Engagement Partners
Lighthouse Guild is deeply grateful to our corporate partners for their volunteer service in support of our programs.
[Image Description: two rows of logos.
Apple, Estée Lauder Companies, Goldman Sachs, Harry’s, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, Regeneron.]
Page 21
Bequests & Estates
[Image Description: A room full of Lighthouse Guild clients and volunteers work on fall-themed craft projects during the Adult Day Health Care program.]
Anonymous (1)
Regina Abraham
Shirley Appleman
Estelle Aronson
Marion Bachmann
Gertrude Eisner Beck Charitable Trust
Frederick and Angela Belli
Pauline Blacker
Anthony Blecher
Seymour Bortner
Edward Bragaline
Anna Briggs
Mukta Buckley
James Buttenweiser
Vivian Cahill
Susan Chalom
H. Weston Clarke, Jr.
Ruth L. Cohen
Helen B. Crosier
Claudius Dacon
Barbara Davies
Christine Donovan
Elaine Dooman
Felkay Charitable Trust
Sinnika Finn
Henry Fruhauf
Virginia M Giovinco
Aaron H. Goldman
Phyllis Goldman
Arnold P. Gould
Ellen Grawi
Ehlor Gregory
Marilyn Gruder Trust
Jean Halpern Trust
Lois Kirschenbaum
Robert Krieger
Alix Kurz
Anita Levadie
Franklin Levine
Leila Levine
Grace Littell
Elizabeth Lee Louie
Rhea Lounsbery Trust
Claire Lubow
Anthony Lupo
Marion Lust-Cohen
Pamela Machado
Suzanne Mados
Cathleen Macauley Trust
Anita S. Nathan Michelson
Barbara Newman
Irene Newton Trust
Louis Ososfsky
Anita Rosen Foundation
Herman Rosen
Beatrice Rosenberg Trust
Melvin Rosenberg
Annette Schneider
Helen Jane Martina Schwerin Trust
Trudy Sommer
Stradella Family Trust
Esther Stroebel
Doris and Joseph Vercelli
Daniel Waxman
Irene Weissman
Gordon Wilcox Trust
Stanley J. Wittelshoefer
By participating in Planned Giving, you help Lighthouse Guild provide lasting support for people who are blind while also meeting your personal and financial goals. To learn more, visit lighthouseguild.org/donate.
Page 22
[Full Page Image Description: Two ledgers from the Lighthouse Guild archives are visible against a purple background, the top one with handwritten financial transactions from January 1928, the bottom one with text of the 1924 Annual Report, headlined, “Report of the Blind Men’s Improvement Club of New York.”]
Image caption: Historic ledgers from our archives illustrate more than a century of growth and innovation.
Page 23
Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2024
Lighthouse Guild International, Inc. and affiliates condensed audited financial statements as of December 31, 2024.
| STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS | Without Donor Restrictions | With Donor Restrictions | Total |
| Revenue | |||
| Program revenue | $ 2,770,318 | $ — | $ 2,770,318 |
| Net patient service revenue | $ 7,870,143 | $ — | $ 7,870,143 |
| Other revenue | $ 2,987,485 | $ — | $ 2,987,485 |
| Contributions and grants | $ 1,058,130 | $ 1,324,686 | $ 2,382,817 |
| Special events, net of expenses | $ 451,771 | $ — | $ 451,771 |
| Legacies and bequests | $ 5,686,981 | $ — | $ 5,686,981 |
| Investment Income (net) (1) | $ 32,063,213 | $ 2,541,774 | $ 34,604,987 |
| Income from trusts | $ 450,063 | $ 1,581,631 | $ 2,031,695 |
| Other net asset adjustments | $ 3,458,998 | $ — | $ 3,458,998 |
| Net assets released from restrictions | $ 3,211,624 | $ (3,211,624) | $ — |
| Total Revenue | $ 60,008,727 | $ 2,236,468 | $ 62,245,195 |
| Operating Expenses: | |||
| Program Services | |||
| Adult Day Health Care | $ 5,730,422 | $ — | $ 5,730,422 |
| Behavioral Health | $ 2,594,917 | $ — | $ 2,594,917 |
| Clinic and Rehabilitation | $ 6,509,364 | $ — | $ 6,509,364 |
| Education | $ 23,383 | $ — | $ 23,383 |
| Other Programs | $ 1,078,912 | $ — | $ 1,078,912 |
| Total Program Services | $ 15,936,998 | $ — | $ 15,936,998 |
| Supporting services: | |||
| Management and general | $ 26,319,282 | $ — | $ 26,319,282 |
| Fundraising | $ 1,745,525 | $ — | $ 1,745,525 |
| Total Supporting services | $ 28,064,807 | $ — | $ 28,064,807 |
| Total Expenses | $ 44,001,805 | $ — | $ 44,001,805 |
| Change in Net Assets | $ 16,006,922 | $ 2,236,468 | $ 18,243,390 |
| Net Assets, beginning of year | $ 277,717,482 | $ 53,339,658 | $ 331,057,140 |
| Net Assets, end of year | $ 293,724,404 | $ 55,576,126 | $ 349,300,529 |
| BALANCE SHEET | Without Donor Restrictions | With Donor Restrictions | Total |
| Assets | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 5,540,752 | $ — | $ 5,540,752 |
| Investments | $ 335,136,577 | $ 55,576,126 | $ 390,712,702 |
| Accounts Receivables | $ 2,461,429 | $ — | $ 2,461,429 |
| Fixed Assets, Net | $ 19,338,528 | $ — | $ 19,338,528 |
| Lease Assets | $ 84,066,891 | $ — | $ 84,066,891 |
| Prepaid and Other Assets | $ 29,771,331 | $ — | $ 29,771,331 |
| Total Assets | $ 476,315,507 | $ 55,576,126 | $ 531,891,633 |
| Liabilities and Net Assets | |||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 5,921,797 | $ — | $ 5,921,797 |
| Accrued salaries and related expenses | $ 2,679,873 | $ — | $ 2,679,873 |
| Due to third-party payors, net | $ 15,998,263 | $ — | $ 15,998,263 |
| Lease Liabilities | $ 114,923,252 | $ — | $ 114,923,252 |
| Note Payable | $ 36,800,000 | $ — | $ 36,800,000 |
| Other Liabilities | $ 6,267,918 | $ — | $ 6,267,918 |
| Net Assets | $ 293,724,404 | $ 55,576,126 | $ 349,300,529 |
| Total Liabilities and Net Assets | $ 476,315,507 | $ 55,576,126 | $ 531,891,633 |
(1) Total investments, including endowments totaling $390.7 million, generated investment income that served to offset operating expenses.
The above condensed financials have been taken from the fiscal year 2024 financial audit performed by BDO, USA LLP.
Lighthouse Guild International, Inc. and Affiliates Consolidated Financial Statements are available on our website.
Page 24
Leadership
Board of Directors
Officers
James M. Dubin, Chairman
Thomas A. Panek, President & CEO
Lawrence E. Goldschmidt, Vice Chairman & Treasurer
Marios Damianides, Assistant Treasurer
Eric J. Maidenberg, Secretary
Pauline Raiff, Immediate Past Chair
Directors
Rachel “Shelley” Zacharia Brier
Valerie Chianuri
Jay R. Fialkoff
Thomas S. T. Gimbel**
Barry S. Honig
Thomas G. Kahn**
Edward S. Kornreich
Sarah Kramer
Andrew H. Marks, (1939-2025)***
Christopher E. Starr, MD, FACS
Ann D. Thivierge
Emeriti
Alan R. Morse, JD, PhD,
President Emeritus
Lawrence A. Yannuzzi, MD,
Director Emeritus
Ronald G. Weiner, CPA,
Director Emeritus
Executive Management
Maura J. Sweeney, MS, MPA, Chief Operating Officer
Brian Dever, Chief Development Officer
Lauren Doody, Chief Financial Officer
Nicole Hart, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Cheryl A. Pemberton-Graves, MPA, Chief Volunteer Officer
William H. Seiple, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer
Advisory Board
Yolande Barnard
Brodie Enoch
Dr. Sean Ianchulev
Dr. April Jasper
Dr. Talia Kaden
Lori Lavine
Catherine Lei Cole
Dr. Andrea Lendaris
Scott Lieberman
Dr. Richard Marfuggi
Christine Miller
Lauren Oplinger
Dr. Jai Parekh
Dr. John-Ross (JR) Rizzo
Dr. Anurag Shrivastava
Peter Slatin
Dr. Leejee Suh
Cynthia Tornallyay
Daria Zawadzki
Visionary Committee
A progressive group of early to mid-career leaders committed to supporting Lighthouse Guild.
Raman Ananthanpillai
Josh Berger
Mackenzie Caroline Brown
Jailine Carrion
Dr. Skylar Covich
Jeremy Edelson
Galyna Ganieva
Shelley Gitelson
Eric Glasser
Leanne Honig
Hannah Katz
David Lefty
Melissa Leifer Bartell
Jeremy Morak*
Latrel Mosso
Graham Rainsby
Jeremy Reimann
Rebecca Rosenberg
Benjamin Shapiro
* Lighthouse Guild Director of Marketing & Communications
** Executive Committee
*** In Memoriam
Page 25 (Inside Back Cover)
James M. Dubin, Chairman of the Board
[Top Left Image Description: A headshot of James M. Dubin, Chairman of the Board of Lighthouse Guild, smiling in a coat and tie.]
James M. Dubin is the managing partner of Madison Place Partners, LLC, a financial and organizational consulting firm. He is a member of the Boards of Directors of Echoleaf Systems, Inc., Emmis Corporation and Omega Flex, Inc. He previously served as a member of the Boards of Directors of Carnival Corporation & plc, Conair Corporation, Atlantic Avenue Acquisition Corp. and Arison Investments LTD., the holding company for Bank Hapoalim and Shikun and Binui. He is a member of the Board of Governors of Tel Aviv University and a past chair of its Buchmann Faculty of Law, a Trustee of the Purchase College Foundation, a Trustee of the Biennial Foundation, and a member of the Board and Treasurer of The Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art.
Mr. Dubin has served as Chairman of Lighthouse Guild’s Board of Directors since the 2012 merger of the Jewish Guild for the Blind and Lighthouse International. Prior thereto, he was Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Guild for the Blind.
Mr. Dubin was formerly Executive Chairman of Conair Corporation. Prior thereto, he was a senior partner of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where he served for many years as chair of the firm’s Corporate Department, a member of its Management Committee and chair of its Finance Committee. Mr. Dubin received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Columbia Law Review.
Thomas A. Panek, President & Chief Executive Officer
[Top Right Image Description: A headshot of Thomas A. Panek, President & CEO of Lighthouse Guild, smiling in a coat and tie.]
As President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild, Thomas Panek leads one of the nation’s premier nonprofits dedicated to addressing vision loss through healthcare, rehabilitation, and technology. He is passionate about advancing accessibility and expanding opportunities for people who are blind.
For over a decade, Panek has combined mission-driven leadership with innovation. At Guiding Eyes for the Blind, he launched the first running guide dog program. He also partnered with Google to create Project Guideline, an AI navigation technology that empowers blind runners to move independently. In 2019, he became the first person to complete a half-marathon guided by dogs, and later the first blind runner to complete a solo race — a 5K through Central Park — without human or canine assistance.
His career includes senior roles across the nonprofit and public sectors. At National Industries for the Blind, he expanded employment opportunities through initiatives like the Wounded Warrior Program. Earlier, as part of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, he worked with American embassies worldwide to promote trade and economic growth.
Panek also serves as Chair of Delta Air Lines’ Advisory Board on Accessible Travel and as a board member of Achilles International. He has been an advisor to the CDC’s Vision Health Initiative, chaired the North American Council of Guide Dog Schools, and his work has been featured by The New York Times, TIME, Forbes, NPR, ABC, CBS, Runner’s World, and HBO Real Sports. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in International Studies from The American University in Washington, D.C.
Back Cover
[Image Description: Lighthouse Guild Logo]
Lighthouse Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing medical assistance and social support to people who are blind or visually impaired, so they can fulfill their goals and live with independence.
Be Part of Our Tradition
Donate
Your tax-deductible gift ensures that we can continue honoring our founders’ compassion while shaping a world where no one is limited by vision loss.
[Image Description: Candid Platinum Transparency 2024 Logo]
Volunteer
In 2024, nearly 300 volunteers provided 15,000 hours of service to actively build a brighter future for individuals without sight. We welcome you to join our dedicated community.
Get Help
Navigating vision loss? We’re here to guide you. Call 800-284-4422 TTY 711
For more information, visit lighthouseguild.org
[Image Description: QR code for website]
Our Locations
Manhattan
250 West 64th Street
New York, NY 10023
212-769-6200
Albany
30 Century Hill Drive, Suite 2
Latham, NY 12110
518-436-1520
Buffalo
1170 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209
716-885-8041
Follow us on Social Media
[Image Descriptions: Social media icons for Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn]
Join our Mission
Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals.
