Guiding Light Mission 
The information on this page was last updated 2/7/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Guiding Light Recovery is an intensive, drug and alcohol recovery program designed to give men opportunity and structure to engage in change.
Guiding Light's Back-to-Work Program provides a short-term stay for homeless men who are employed or seeking full-time employment, allowing them to save money while they look for more permanent housing.
The Job Post - Provides job placement services for individuals who are temporarily unemployed or are seeking career advancement. These job placement services provide opportunities for individuals to re-engage in the community.
Iron House - This safe and secure living environment is located in a residential area outside the inner city allowing the men to live more independently as they transition back into the mainstream of society.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Guiding Light Mission
255 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Website: guidinglightworks.org
Phone: 616-451-0236
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 382638465
CEO/President: Brian Elve
Chairman: Andy Odenhal
Board size: 11
Founder: John Van de Water
Ruling year: 1986
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Our vision is to awaken the man with addictions to the possibility of becoming physically, emotionally, and spiritually transformed. Our goal for men is lifelong recovery and a new way of being in relationship with the world.
The staff here has a vested, personal interest to the work we do.
Did you know that over half of our dedicated employees are graduates of the Guiding Light addiction rehab and recovery program? To all of us, it is not just a day job. It is a calling and a commitment..
Mission statement
Guiding Light's mission is to walk alongside individuals as they engage in the hard work of transformation, embrace their God-given dignity, and pursue the potential of their lives.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 493 of 1118 | 64 of 138 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 718 of 1119 | 89 of 138 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 402 of 1119 | 60 of 138 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 445 of 1118 | 53 of 138 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 12% | 15% | 26% | 25% | 29% | 27% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 10% | 12% | 15% | 15% | 21% | 20% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 92% | 85% | 58% | 60% | 73% | 76% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 11% | 14% | 16% | 16% | 25% | 24% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 8% | 15% | 42% | 40% | 27% | 24% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 80% | 81% | 82% | 82% | 71% | 71% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 89% | 93% | 90% | 87% | 84% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 75% | 72% | 76% | 74% | 62% | 60% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 11% | 7% | 10% | 13% | 16% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 8% | 8% | 13% | 14% | 20% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 5% | 2% | 2% | 5% | 5% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.53 | 0.64 | 1.06 | 1.18 | 0.97 | 1.06 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.95 | 1.48 | 1.54 | 1.37 | 1.43 | 1.39 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.75 | 0.94 | 1.64 | 1.62 | 1.39 | 1.47 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.50 | 29.11 | 37.07 | 42.87 | 60.59 | 47.46 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.33 | 12.28 | 7.14 | 7.24 | 8.48 | 8.01 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 154% | 154% | 93% | 83% | 102% | 93% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $183,532 | $1,675,871 | $423,235 | $781,392 | $906,957 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $373,653 | $325,831 | $761,877 | $214,012 | $176,755 |
| Short-term investments | $4,483,687 | $2,440,619 | $3,417,400 | $2,849,184 | $2,289,774 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $5,040,872 | $4,442,321 | $4,602,512 | $3,844,588 | $3,373,486 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $2,441,634 | $2,400,044 | $1,703,203 | $1,651,060 | $1,307,406 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,441,634 | $2,400,044 | $1,703,203 | $1,651,060 | $1,307,406 |
| Total assets | $7,482,506 | $6,842,365 | $6,305,715 | $5,495,648 | $4,680,892 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $173,156 | $119,831 | $107,364 | $63,457 | $71,075 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $173,156 | $119,831 | $107,364 | $63,457 | $71,075 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $173,156 | $119,831 | $107,364 | $63,457 | $71,075 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $7,309,350 | $6,673,688 | $6,149,505 | $5,399,845 | $4,348,641 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $48,846 | $48,846 | $32,346 | $261,176 |
| Net assets | $7,309,350 | $6,722,534 | $6,198,351 | $5,432,191 | $4,609,817 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $4,546,285 | $4,484,653 | $4,946,230 | $4,493,445 | $4,477,309 |
| Program service revenue | $638,488 | $3,086,682 | $3,121,364 | $1,497,378 | $1,226,989 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($82,703) | $50,242 | $0 | $9,800 | $39,293 |
| Other revenue | $241,923 | $166,245 | $173,658 | $133,565 | $136,442 |
| Total other revenue | $797,708 | $3,303,169 | $3,295,022 | $1,640,743 | $1,402,724 |
| Total revenue | $5,343,993 | $7,787,822 | $8,241,252 | $6,134,188 | $5,880,033 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $3,866,767 | $5,941,500 | $6,077,566 | $3,790,489 | $3,501,697 |
| Management and general | $230,716 | $176,937 | $149,852 | $246,027 | $257,130 |
| Fundraising | $659,694 | $1,145,202 | $1,220,223 | $1,314,617 | $1,190,393 |
| Total expenses | $4,757,177 | $7,263,639 | $7,447,641 | $5,351,133 | $4,949,220 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $586,816 | $524,183 | $793,611 | $783,055 | $930,813 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $586,816 | $524,183 | $793,611 | $783,055 | $930,813 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Brian Elve | Executive Director | $124,189 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2024
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/7/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Guiding Light was first established as West Fulton Mission in 1929 by a layman named John Van de Water. It began out of a need for meals for the unfortunate in the community. Shortly after moving to its new location, Guiding Light started what would become one of the most important components of its program. After receiving its certification from the state, Guiding Light began offering treatment for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. This would eventually develop into the S.T.A.R.T. program. The program has continued to evolve and is now the New Life in Christ program.
The VanderVeers served faithfully until 1966 when Andrew died suddenly while delivering an evening chapel service. The following years were difficult for the Mission. Cornelia passed away in 1968; and, after a brief stay, the new director resigned. The board began seriously considering closing Guiding Light. In 1968 Guiding Light officially closed.
Guiding Light remained closed for one year until Jacob Vredevoog, an assistant to the VanderVeers, reopened Guiding Light as an independent faith project. He did this with his own money and with the support of local donors. Vredevoog served until 1972 and passed away.
Guiding Light was then led and expanded by a number of directors, including Edward Oosterhouse, Herm Koning, Lucky Hobson, and Chico Daniels. Under their leadership, Guiding Light outgrew its original location and was moved to its current location at 255 Division Ave S.
Today, Guiding Light continues to fulfill the mission set forth by its founders. We continue to provide services to the homeless and suffering while sharing the love of Christ with those in need. As we move into the future, our mission remains to provide recovery and re-engagement for those living at society's margins.