New England Deaconess Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
DEACONESS WILL EFFECTIVELY USE OUR HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND WILL SEARCH FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY AND HIGHLY-VALUED CARE THAT EXCEEDS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THOSE WE SERVE.
- Income
- $59.2 million
- Spending
- $51.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -24 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 85%
- Employees
- 808
- Volunteers
- 14
- Highest pay
- $461,397, ceo/president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 110% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $42.1 million spent. NEW ENGLAND DEACONESS ASSOCIATION (NEDA) CARES COMPASSIONATELY FOR STAFF, RESIDENTS, VOLUNTEERS AND FAMILIES. NEDA KNOWS THAT IF ONE CONTINUES TO STAY INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED, PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, SOCIALLY CONNECTED, AND SPIRITUALLY ENRICHED IN WHATEVER WAY THAT PROVIDES MEANING TO AN INDIVIDUAL, THAT ONE CAN AGE WELL. THOUGH THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGES ALONG THE PATHWAY OF THE AGING PROCESS, NEDA BELIEVES THAT BY PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN ALL OF THESE AREAS, THE LATER YEARS OF LIFE WILL BE MORE FULFILLING AND ENRICHING.NEDA'S CURRENT STRATEGY IS PROVIDING CARE AND SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS IN RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS. JUST AS THE ORIGINAL DEACONESSES MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE THEY SERVED, NEDA CONTINUES TO WORK TO ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ITS RESIDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.THE NEW ENGLAND DEACONESS ASSOCIATION CORE VALUES STATEMENT WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH THE INPUT OF STAFF, RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, CORPORATORS, AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IT DEFINES WHAT THE ORGANIZATION STANDS FOR AND WHY IT EXISTS. AT ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION THE CORE VALUE STATEMENT (BELOW) IS USED TO GUIDE THE CHOICES AND DECISIONS IT MAKES.DEACONESS ABUNDANT LIFE CARES COMPASSIONATELY FOR OUR RESIDENTS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHILE SHARING ABUNDANT LIFE WITH AN ATTITUDE OF JOY, HOPE, AND COMMITMENT; REACHING OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH A HOLISTIC FOCUS ON BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH LEADS TO CONTINUED EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL STRENGTH AS WE STRIVE FOR NEW AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO BETTER SERVE OLDER ADULTS.NEDA'S CURRENT OPERATIONS PROVIDE SERVICES AND FACILITIES THAT MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS. NEDA STRIVES TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP AS IT ENRICHES AND ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE WITHIN NEDA'S CARE. NEDA'S COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING OLDER ADULTS ALSO GOES BEYOND THE RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS TO INCLUDE SEMINARS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS TO HELP COMMUNITY GROUPS AND AGENCIES, AS WELL AS CHURCHES, TO BETTER CARE FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS. NEDA PRESENTLY OPERATES IN FOUR LOCATIONS. OCCUPANCY FOR 2024 AT RIVERCREST WAS 89%, THE GARDENS 97%, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING 96%. NEW ENGLAND DEACONESS ASSOCIATION ("NEDA OR "DEACONESS") IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, NONSECTARIAN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDING HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES SINCE 1889. ITS CORPORATE OFFICES ARE LOCATED IN CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS. INFORMATION REGARDING THE HISTORY OF NEDA, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF NEDA IS SET FORTH BELOW. SUCH INFORMATION IS INTENDED ONLY AS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THOSE ASPECTS OF NEDA. HISTORY ON NOVEMBER 1, 1889, THE NEW ENGLAND DEACONESS HOME AND TRAINING SCHOOL WAS INCORPORATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF UTILIZING THE ENERGIES OF WOMEN IN ACTIVE RELIGIOUS WORK, AND TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR THOSE NEEDING "REFUGE, CARE, AND SHELTER." IN 1900, THE NAME WAS CHANGED TO NEW ENGLAND DEACONESS ASSOCIATION. NEDA'S FIRST BUILDING ON MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE IN BOSTON WAS USED AS A RESIDENCE FOR THOSE TRAINING AS DEACONESSES BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. UPON GRADUATION, MANY DEACONESSES WERE SENT TO OTHER CITIES TO HELP ORGANIZE GROUPS FOR SIMILAR WORK. TO FULFILL THE URGENT NEED FOR A HOSPITAL FACILITY, THE NEW ENGLAND DEACONESS HOME AND TRAINING SCHOOL ACQUIRED THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR, WHICH IN 1896 WAS FORMALLY DEDICATED AS THE "DEACONESS HOSPITAL." ON NOVEMBER 25, 1911, THE DEACONESS COTTAGE HOSPITAL IN CONCORD OPENED THROUGH DONATIONS PROVIDED BY MR. CHARLES EMERSON, DR. THEODORE CHAMBERLIN AND MRS. FOUCAR, ALL OF CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS. THIS HOSPITAL WAS RUN BY NEDA UNTIL 1924 WHEN IT WAS TURNED OVER TO THE CITIZENS OF CONCORD AND RENAMED EMERSON HOSPITAL. IN NOVEMBER 1913, THE HOME FOR AGED METHODIST WOMEN FORMALLY OPENED. THIS FACILITY CHANGED ITS NAME TO THE DEACONESS HOUSE IN 1971. OVER THE YEARS, NEW PROJECTS AND EXPANSIONS HAVE ENABLED NEDA TO BETTER SERVE ITS CLIENTS. IN 1964, NEDA'S FIRST NURSING HOME WAS BUILT IN CONCORD WITH 41 BEDS. THE RIVERCREST SKILLED NURSING CARE COMMUNITY IN CONCORD WAS EXPANDED IN 1968, 1993 AND 2002. IN 1967, THREE APARTMENT BUILDINGS (CONTAINING 12 UNITS) WERE BUILT IN CONCORD TO PROVIDE FOR AFFORDABLE INDEPENDENT LIVING. IN 1970, THE THREE-STORY CHAMBERLIN RESIDENTIAL CARE COMMUNITY, THE SOLARIUM, AND THE DUVALL CHAPEL WERE COMPLETED. IN 1971, ROCKRIDGE AT LAUREL PARK (NOW KNOWN AS ROCKRIDGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY) WAS CONSTRUCTED AND BEGAN OPERATIONS IN NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS AS A 61 UNIT RESIDENTIAL CARE COMMUNITY. IN 1994, NEWBURY COURT INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY WAS BUILT AND OPENED IN CONCORD. IN 2004, COTTAGES AND AN ASSISTED LIVING BUILDING WERE COMPLETED IN NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS WHICH ARE NOW FULLY OCCUPIED. IN 2005, AN EXPANSION TO NEWBURY COURT IN CONCORD WAS COMPLETED. IN 2006, THE GARDENS MEMORY SUPPORT ASSISTED LIVING NEIGHBORHOOD OPENED AT ROCKRIDGE IN NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS AND IN 2007, WESLEY WOODS, INDEPENDENT LIVING COTTAGE HOMES, OPENED IN GILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE ON THE FOOTHILLS OF GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN AND A SECOND EXPANSION TO NEWBURY COURT AND THE GARDENS MEMORY SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD OPENED IN CONCORD. THE FINAL EXPANSION TO NEWBURY COURT OPENED IN 2009 IN CONCORD AND THE ENTIRE CONCORD COMMUNITY WAS RENAMED NEWBURY COURT. DEACONESS ABUNDANT LIFE COMMUNITIES ("DALC"), THE PARENT COMPANY OF NEDA, IS PROUD OF ITS TRADITION OF REACHING OUT TO MEET AND SERVE THE CHANGING PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS OVER THE YEARS SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1889. IN THESE 124 YEARS, MANY WORTHWHILE OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED, INCLUDING SPECIAL HOMES AND SERVICES FOR RETIRED WOMEN AND MEN, SUMMER CAMPS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN, NURSING HOMES FOR THOSE REQUIRING SKILLED CARE, SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN HEALTH SERVICES, AND MORE. EACH YEAR DALC PROVIDES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF SUBSIDIZED CARE AND ACCOMMODATION TO OLDER ADULTS IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS. ITS MISSION IS FOCUSED AT CREATING COMMUNITY AND PROVIDING AGING SERV
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1939.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.