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The Scandinavian Charitable Society of Greater Boston Inc

EIN 04-2105955 · W Newton, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SCANDINAVIAN CHARITABLE SOCIETY OF GREATER BOSTON IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ASSISTANCE TO ELDERS AND TO SUPPORT CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 71%
Employees
44
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$185,499, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (2)
  1. $3.2 million spent. SCANDINAVIAN LIVING CENTER- DURING THE YEAR OUR CENSUS (YTD) WAS 89.74%. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025, IT WAS 90.56% WHICH CONSISTED OF 12 MALES AND 27 FEMALES WITH AN AVERAGE AGE OF 86.8. OF THE 39 RESIDENTS, 18 WERE VERY LOW INCOME ($51,950 OR LESS), 12 WERE LOW INCOME ($82,950 OR LESS), 1 MODERATE INCOME ($104,510 OR LESS) AND 8 WERE AT MARKET RATE INCOME LEVELS BASED ON POVERTY LEVELS IN MASSACHUSETTS.
  2. $201,566 spent. THE SCANDINAVIAN CHARITABLE SOCIETY BELIEVES THAT THE LIVING CENTER AND THE CULTURAL CENTER COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER THROUGH MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE ACTIVITIES WHILE SHARING SPACE. THE SOCIETY, THROUGH THE CULTURAL CENTER, IS COMMITTED TO POSITIONING ITSELF AS THE PREMIERE HUB FOR NORDIC CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN NEW ENGLAND BY SHARING IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF SCANDINAVIAN CULTURE WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY.THE SECOND GOAL OF THE SCANDINAVIAN CULTURAL CENTER IS TO BE A LOCATION FOR AND SOURCE OF ENRICHING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING EVENTS FOR RESIDENTS OF NEWTON AND GREATER BOSTON. THESE GOALS ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND THROUGH THE CULTURAL CENTER'S OWN PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1939.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 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.