Operation Light Shine
Operation Light Shine is a public charity based in Old Hickory, Tennessee, formed in 2020. It supports efforts to combat child exploitation and trafficking, including equipping law-enforcement partners with technology, training, and other resources and raising awareness.
Operation Light Shine at a glance
In short: Operation Light Shine reported $2.4M in grants paid in 2025 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2025)
- $2,393,787 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- +26.6% vs 2024
- Total assets
- $954,312
- -41.5% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $3,263,279
- -13.7% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $20
- -64.9% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $3,756,123
- +16.9% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Operation Light Shine
- Contact
Mailing address: 5322 E Bend Dr, Old Hickory, TN 37138
Phone: (615) 975-9683
Website: https://operationlightshine.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Operation Light Shine funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 4 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Old Hickory, Tennessee. The available information does not state a geographic focus for its programs or grantmaking.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $470K (2021) to $2.4M (2025). In 2025 it reported $2.4M in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lantern Rescue Ramseur, NC | Lantern Rescue is a U.S. based 501c3 non-profit organization that rescues exploited, persecuted, and displaced individuals and families. We work domestically and internationally to create sustainable partnerships with local government entities, international organizations, and military and law enforcement personnel. | $347,800 |
| Pathfinder Labs Watertown, MA | We champion sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide, mobilizing communities most in need to break through barriers and forge their own path to a healthier future. Built by investigators for investigators. | $150,000 |
| Filter First Foundation Brentwod, TN | Together, we have worked to create content designed for the classroom, that meets students where they are and will empower them with the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe while interacting online and fight the online exploitation of children by stopping it before it ever starts. | $50,000 |
| Child Rescue Coalition Boca Raton, FL | To protect all children from sexual exploitation through our innovative technology & partnerships with organizations to prevent children's contact with & law enforcement's apprehension of sexual predators. | $6,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $954,312 | $3,263,279 | $3,756,123 | $2,393,787 | Total only | $20 |
| 2024 | $1,632,338 | $3,782,195 | $3,212,490 | $1,891,406 | Total only | $57 |
| 2023 | $1,287,753 | $3,005,077 | $3,139,056 | $1,694,274 | Total only | $112 |
| 2022 | $1,097,429 | $2,711,675 | $2,253,704 | $554,300 | 4 | — |
| 2021 | $636,821 | $1,206,710 | $547,591 | $470,000 | Total only | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Operation Light Shine’s website states that its mission is to shine a light of hope in the fight against child exploitation and trafficking. Its stated activities include supporting law-enforcement investigations with technology, software, training, and resources; providing education and awareness; and supporting families and communities with prevention resources.
A documented 2022 grantee, Child Rescue Coalition Inc., described its own mission as protecting children from sexual exploitation through technology and partnerships intended to prevent children’s contact with offenders and support law enforcement in apprehending sexual predators. This is the grantee’s stated mission, not a separate statement of Operation Light Shine’s mission.
Grantmaking
The 2023, 2024, and 2025 filings each list zero grants. A documented 2022 award was $6,500 to Child Rescue Coalition Inc. The available information does not establish a typical grant size or provide an application process.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jim Cole, Dawn A. Ritter, Luke Pell, Jane Badger, Steve Biondo, Kevin Wilson, Matt Allen, Jason Merryman, Alina Donahue, and Brando Eaton as officers or directors. The website identifies Bryan Weight as executive director, Alina Donahue as director of strategic partnerships, Suzanne Wyatt as director of business administration, and Nathan Cluck as marketing director.
Operation Light Shine is led by Bryan Weight, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2023); none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bryan Weight
Executive Director
Key Employee → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
$110K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Luke Pell
Chairman of Board
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Jim Cole
Board Member
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$110K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Dawn A. Ritter
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alina Donahue
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Brando Eaton
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Jane Badger
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Jason Merryman
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Kevin Wilson
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Matt Allen
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Steve Biondo
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Byron Wolfe (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Jonathan Caldwell (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Matt Murphy (2020–2022) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $110K, to Bryan Weight (Key Employee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Operation Light Shine
How much does Operation Light Shine give each year?
Operation Light Shine reported $2.4M in grants paid in 2025 on its 2025 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2024 it reported $1.9M in grants paid.
How large is Operation Light Shine?
Operation Light Shine reported $954K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.3M.
What does Operation Light Shine fund?
Operation Light Shine’s website states that its mission is to shine a light of hope in the fight against child exploitation and trafficking. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Operation Light Shine?
Operation Light Shine has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check operationlightshine.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Operation Light Shine make grants?
The organization is based in Old Hickory, Tennessee. The available information does not state a geographic focus for its programs or grantmaking.
What is Operation Light Shine's EIN?
Operation Light Shine's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2555554. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Operation Light Shine down — hundreds of funders to go?