Nonprofit · EIN 20-4527582
THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION
Also known as METROPOLIS HOPE LIGHT PROJECT
Tax-exempt · HAZELWOOD, MO 63042
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990-EZ | $65,734 | $68,008 | -$2,274 | $151,374 | $68,008 | $83,366 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990-EZ | $72,838 | $78,701 | -$5,863 | $160,775 | $78,701 | $82,074 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990-EZ | $19,548 | $44,916 | -$25,368 | $132,853 | $44,916 | $87,937 |
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $65,734
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $0
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $60,000
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $0
- Printing, publications and postage
- $92
- Other expenses
- $7,916
- Program services (functional)
- $1,730
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $85,640
- Total assets, end of year
- $151,374
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $68,008
- Net assets, end of year
- $83,366
- Cash, savings and investments
- $151,374
- Gross receipts
- $65,734
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Murray | Director | 1 | $0 |
| John Davis | Director | 1 | $0 |
| Beth Lynn | Director | 1 | $0 |
| Beverly Bess | Co-Founder | 3 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024: 7 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rudell Bess | Co-Founding Director | 45 | $0 |
| Beverly Bess | Co-Founding Director | 15 | $0 |
| Michael Murray PhD | Director | 1 | $0 |
| Beth Ann Lynn | Director | 0.25 | $0 |
| Nancy Larson-Vomund | Medical Advisor | 0.25 | $0 |
| John Davis | Director | 0.25 | $0 |
| John Dipersio MDPhD | Medical Advisor | 0.25 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2023: 7 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rudell Bess | Founding Director | 40 | $0 |
| Beverly Bess | Co-Founder | 15 | $0 |
| Michael Murray | Director | 2 | $0 |
| Beth Lynn | Director | 1 | $0 |
| John DiPersio MD | Medical Advisor | 1 | $0 |
| Nancy Larson-Vomund | Director | 1 | $0 |
| John Davis | Director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 908 HAZELVALLEY DR, HAZELWOOD, MO 63042-3517
- In care of
- % RUDELL A BESS
- Mailing address (990-N for 2019)
- 908 Hazelvalley Drive, Hazelwood MO 63042
- Principal officer (990-N for 2019)
- Rudell Bess, 908 Hazelvalley Drive, Hazelwood MO 63042
- Signed the 990-EZ
- Rudell A Bess, Founding Director
- Phone
- (314) 838-4959
- Website
- www.hopelightproject.com
Mission
The primary purpose of the Foundation is to communicate cancer awareness information on all cancers in Illinois and Missouri to educate the general public and providers on all cancers signs and symptoms to promote early cancer detection and survivorship. Our primary focus is on rural and medically underserved communities with healthcare professional shortages. Our research includes identifying, evaluating and documenting cancer new case and death rates along with demographic and socioeconomic information to determine where to target outreach and awareness education in communities with the greatest need for help to fight cancer. We also maintain the Metropolis Lighthouse "Hope Light" that is the worlds only lighthouse designed, built and dedicated to the fight against cancer with a symbolic purpose to guide people to the Hope Light website to obtain cancer signs and symptoms with the hope of detecting cancer early when it is easier to treat and survive.
Program accomplishments
- Worked with the University of Chicago Medicine and four local health departments to facilitate learning experiences that enabled healthcare workers to obtain knowledge, develop new skills and improve Hepatitis B disease awareness and prevention and conduct colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings. More than 1500 residents were reached through this program.Expenses $260 · grants $50,000
- Worked with University of Chicago Medicine and Cass County Health Department to develop and deploy a Flu/FIT program to increase CRC screening rates at flu vaccine events and other outreach activities. The program included encouraging event participants to take a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit home and return a stool sample to the Health Department for analysis and results follow-up. More than 500 residents participated in this program.Expenses $145 · grants $10,000
- Held our third annual Cancer Warriors Walk for Hope (CWWH) Health Resources Fair in Metropolis, Illinois in October. More than 200 residents attended.Expenses $1,325
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990-EZ on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 20-4527582
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2006
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Voluntary health associations and medical disciplines (G30)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $151,374
- Income (IRS master file)
- $65,734
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990-EZ | December 2025 | $65,734 | $68,008 | $151,374 | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2024 | $72,838 | $78,701 | $160,775 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2023 | $19,548 | $44,916 | $132,853 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2019 Officer: Rudell Bess | December 31, 2019 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 20-4527582).
Questions about THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION
- What is the EIN of THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION is 20-4527582.
- Is THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2006.
- Are donations to THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION?
- The 990-N for 2019 names Rudell Bess.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION?
- The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 4 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does THE HOPE LIGHT FOUNDATION have?
- On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $65,734, expenses of $68,008 and total assets of $151,374 at year end.
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All nonprofits in HAZELWOOD · Missouri · Voluntary health associations and medical disciplines