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Rivendell Institute Inc

EIN 06-1582604 · New Haven, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION TO EXPLORE THE INTERSECTION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH AND CONTEMPORARY SCHOLARSHIP INVOLVES THREE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES: RESEARCH INITIATIVES, SPIRITUAL FORMATION, AND HOSTING PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS.

Income
$917,637
Spending
$822,819
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
13
Volunteers
10

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 98% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $289,652 spent. OUR RESEARCH CENTERS FOCUSED THEIR ATTENTION ON THE INTERSECTION OF THEOLOGY AND THE ARTS AND ON RELIGION AND PUBLIC POLICY (AS WELL AS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM). PROGRAMS IN THESE AREAS INCLUDED LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONSULTATIONS WITH SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS IN THESE RESPECTIVE FIELDS, COLLOQUIA FOR YALE FACULTY AND STUDENTS, AND PUBLICATIONS (CONFERENCE PAPERS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, ETC.)
  2. $225,392 spent. OUR SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND MENTORING ACTIVITIES OFFERED A VARIETY OF LARGE AND SMALL GROUP PROGRAMS FOR CHRISTIAN STUDENTS AND FACULTY, AS WELL AS FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING FAITH. OUR RIVENDELL STUDENT FELLOWS PROGRAM FEATURED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS TO HELP STUDENTS INTEGRATE CHRSTIAN FAITH WITH ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL WORK, AND PERSONAL MENTORING. OUR SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAM INCLUDED WEEKLY LARGE GROUP MEETINGS THAT FEATURED THE APPLICATION OF BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES TO LIFE AND CAREER, AND PRSENTATIONS BY YALE PROFESSORS ABOUT THEIR OWN FAITH JOURNEYS. PERSONAL MENTORING OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS WAS ALSO OFFERED. BOTH OF THESE MENTORING PROGRAMS ALSO HOSTED RETREATS AND SEASONAL SOCIAL GATHERINGS.
  3. $148,757 spent. OUR PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS CONSISTED OF FACULTY ROUNDTABLES, ATTENDED BY YALE FACULTY FROM MANY DIFFERENT ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES. THESE EVENTS FEATURED PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS OF TOPICS AT THE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND SCIENCE ESPECIALLY. ON AVERAGE, OVER 100 YALE FACULTY ATTENDED.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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