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School for Esoteric Studies Inc

EIN 13-1832805 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To train people in the Ageless Wisdom teachings and practice.

Income
$150,630
Spending
$107,823
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
2
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$30,090, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $71,782 spent. Education: We provide lesson materials and instruction for correspondence courses in the Ageless Wisdom for 306 members, which includes 19 new students. We received 128 application requests to the School.
  2. Public Awareness Outreach: We produced 12 monthly group letters in three languages (English, Spanish, Italian) that are circulated among our membership and others within the spiritual community. We also sent out two free Newsletters in 2024, which were distributed to the entire School membership and also upon request. In 2024 these newsletters were sent to 1,921 members and subscribers. We translated materials into other languages to reach a wider audience and to serve our membership. Our Facebook page reached 5,100 followers. Our Instagram page had 241 followers and we put up 60 posts in 2024. We created three new videos on YouTube, which now has 28 videos, 627 subscribers, and had 27,592 views in 2024. We posted two new articles and one new booklet on our website - in three languages. We continued to maintain and update our website with relevant information in three languages. In 2024 we responded to 88 miscellaneous requests from the public and sent out bookmarks, booklets, leaflets and brochures about the School in three languages. We continued to provide materials in three languages for those interested in participating in our Cleansing Initiative; 96 individuals are currently taking part in this. We also created a new initiative on Climate Cleansing and Renewal and invited members and interested parties to join us in this. We provided a free monthly conference in Turin, Italy, and also participated in a variety of collaborative initiatives with other spiritual groups.
  3. Student Service: 449 members receive our yearly conference set; this is a document composed of study excerpts on a particular subject, three conference talks and a conference report. 63 students received lesson sets and individual commentaries on their work in three languages. We continue to update and translate lesson materials for students, in three languages. We maintain a lending library for School members who reside in the US.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 November 1958.

    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 November 4, 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.