AbleLight / formerly Bethesda Lutheran Communities 
The information on this page was last updated 6/8/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We believe the world shines brighter when people with developmental disabilities achieve their full potential. We pioneer life changing services that empower the people we serve to thrive.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Bethesda Lutheran Communities
600 Hoffmann Dr.
Watertown, WI 53094
Website: ablelight.org
Phone: 800-369-4636
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 390806446
CEO/President: Keith Jones
Chairman: Jim Rymarcsuk
Board size: 13
Founder:
Ruling year: 1937
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 08/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since: 2018
Purpose
We believe the world shines brighter when people with developmental disabilities achieve their full potential. We include all people, cherish the opportunity to improve lives, and humbly accept our responsibility to lead by example. We are proud to be a Registered Service Organization with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and, guided by our Christian mission, we welcome, serve, and love every person. Leading the advancement of our field for the benefit of those we serve, we set the standard for excellence with a bold and relentless approach to innovation. Inherent in our DNA is a drive for continuous progress to make life changing impact.
Mission statement
We pioneer life-changing services that empower the people we serve to thrive.
Statement of faith
We are proud to be a partner and Registered Service Organization (RSO) with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. As an RSO, we are committed to following the LCMS doctrine, fostering the ministry and mission of the Church.
Articles
| 6/26/2026 | AbleLight Jumps into 'Give With Confidence' Rating |
| 6/27/2023 | AbleLight Resigns From ECFA |
| 7/9/2021 | Bethesda Lutheran Communities' CEO Leaving |
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Advocacy
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 868 of 1479 | 33 of 54 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 805 of 1479 | 26 of 54 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 191 of 1479 | 13 of 54 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1455 of 1480 | 54 of 54 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $1,272,920 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 9% | 12% | 18% | 26% | 13% | 25% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 2% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 18% | 12% | 14% | 24% | 15% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 82% | 88% | 86% | 76% | 85% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 78% | 85% | 85% | 81% | 79% | 82% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 104% | 109% | 117% | 100% | 112% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 74% | 88% | 93% | 95% | 79% | 92% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | -4% | -9% | -17% | 0% | -12% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 12% | -3% | -6% | -12% | 0% | -10% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 10% | 13% | 13% | 16% | 18% | 15% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.06 | 0.55 | 0.59 | 0.64 | 0.52 | 0.61 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.24 | 8.66 | 7.60 | 8.78 | 6.67 | 6.42 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.86 | 4.77 | 4.50 | 5.62 | 3.45 | 3.89 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 11.13 | 2.31 | 3.19 | 1.76 | 2.91 | 3.61 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.43 | 0.31 | 0.57 | 0.34 | 0.28 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.20 | 1.43 | 1.83 | 0.92 | 2.28 | 2.23 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 19% | 22% | 19% | 22% | 30% | 33% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 10% | 8% | 10% | 22% | 25% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 63% | 141% | 138% | 122% | 136% | 111% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $9,412,650 | $6,603,753 | $6,180,778 | $16,248,439 | $18,568,578 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $10,566,892 | $13,018,593 | $9,913,947 | $8,657,237 | $8,354,900 |
| Short-term investments | $3,467,564 | $3,732,645 | $3,351,620 | $3,418,566 | $4,088,293 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $23,447,106 | $23,354,991 | $19,446,345 | $28,324,242 | $31,011,771 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $31,432,458 | $31,886,675 | $34,477,896 | $37,969,755 | $44,783,007 |
| Other long-term assets | $148,077,440 | $122,227,682 | $116,779,976 | $122,577,305 | $123,154,431 |
| Total long-term assets | $179,509,898 | $154,114,357 | $151,257,872 | $160,547,060 | $167,937,438 |
| Total assets | $202,957,004 | $177,469,348 | $170,704,217 | $188,871,302 | $198,949,209 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $9,798,981 | $6,986,113 | $10,314,091 | $9,132,335 | $7,861,840 |
| Other current liabilities | $342,064 | $331,266 | $722,310 | $603,603 | $719,056 |
| Total current liabilities | $10,141,045 | $7,317,379 | $11,036,401 | $9,735,938 | $8,580,896 |
| Debt | $20,655,066 | $14,022,298 | $16,278,635 | $42,176,073 | $50,242,483 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $14,281,297 | $11,553,956 | $9,993,155 | $4,085,061 | $5,867,599 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $34,936,363 | $25,576,254 | $26,271,790 | $46,261,134 | $56,110,082 |
| Total liabilities | $45,077,408 | $32,893,633 | $37,308,191 | $55,997,072 | $64,690,978 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $133,481,929 | $124,880,054 | $118,016,476 | $119,676,202 | $121,743,804 |
| With donor restrictions | $24,397,667 | $19,695,661 | $15,379,550 | $13,198,028 | $12,514,427 |
| Net assets | $157,879,596 | $144,575,715 | $133,396,026 | $132,874,230 | $134,258,231 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $19,285,818 | $11,476,878 | $12,839,178 | $23,584,658 | $15,903,687 |
| Program service revenue | $86,651,890 | $85,143,501 | $79,566,743 | $67,606,433 | $84,348,609 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $2,283,696 | $464,114 | $1,102,852 | $6,745,350 | $5,991,407 |
| Other revenue | ($1,162,788) | ($771,895) | $77,799 | ($305,054) | $1,368,768 |
| Total other revenue | $87,772,798 | $84,835,720 | $80,747,394 | $74,046,729 | $91,708,784 |
| Total revenue | $107,058,616 | $96,312,598 | $93,586,572 | $97,631,387 | $107,612,471 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $94,631,250 | $89,620,323 | $88,676,158 | $77,460,877 | $98,496,733 |
| Management and general | $14,909,249 | $13,400,652 | $17,218,138 | $17,333,758 | $18,124,334 |
| Fundraising | $2,321,305 | $2,089,121 | $3,311,641 | $2,961,369 | $3,931,298 |
| Total expenses | $111,861,804 | $105,110,096 | $109,205,937 | $97,756,004 | $120,552,365 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($4,803,188) | ($8,797,498) | ($15,619,365) | ($124,617) | ($12,939,894) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($4,803,188) | ($8,797,498) | ($15,619,365) | ($124,617) | ($12,939,894) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Keith Jones | President and CEO | $686,376 |
| Jeffrey Kaczmarski | VP & Chief Legal Officer | $417,403 |
| Brian Savoie | VP & Chief Financial Officer | $399,892 |
| Diane Ekstrand | Chief Human Resources Officer | $363,728 |
| John Carreon | VP and Chief Advancement Officer | $349,602 |
| Juli Frank | Chief Operating Officer | $331,428 |
| Sonal Shukla | Area Vice President | $243,618 |
| John Nickels | Corp. and Donor Engagement Officer | $208,315 |
| Kathy Burke | Area Vice President | $188,697 |
Compensation data as of: 8/31/2025
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 6/8/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Since the moment we opened our doors in 1904, our Christian faith has been the foundation of our mission. Not only does it guide us in all we do and how we do it, but we recognize how the Lord's word can provide inspiration and purpose for people with developmental disabilities, their families and loved ones. We endeavor at all times to support the people we serve on their faith journeys. Whether through Bible studies, prayer services, or creating accessible materials and resources, we are honored to be faithful disciples of His word. We love and serve people of all faiths and denominations.