868999558RR0001 — 0160
Registered — Winnipeg, MB — Public Foundation
Scores: Legitimacy 80/100 · Effectiveness 73/100
Financials: Revenue $217,111 · Expenditures $301,668
L.I.T.E. is a distinctive Winnipeg grantmaker that channels funds into inner-city employment creation through social enterprises and Christmas hamper programs — a genuinely innovative model where even supply purchasing is designed to generate jobs for people facing barriers. With 24 years of operation, a large and stable board, and solid program spending, the organization is structurally sound, though a critical flag for directing funds to a revoked charity and a recent revenue decline warrant donor attention.
Our Verdict: A well-established, mission-focused organization with a creative approach to poverty reduction through employment, but donors should note that revenue has dropped sharply in recent filings and the charity is currently spending more than it takes in. A critical flag for sending funds to a revoked charity — Sierra Leone Refugee Resettlement, Inc. — also deserves a direct explanation from the organization.