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Incarnation Center Incorporated

EIN 13-5657791 · Deep River, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Incarnation Center is a not-for-profit organization that provides education, recreation and spiritual enrichment for people of all ages and traditions. The Center is located on 700 wooded acres in costal Connecticut. Our camps and conference and nature centers offer groups and individuals unique opportunities to grow in relationship to one another and the natural world. We strive for the highest standards and practices in all that we do.

Income
$5.2 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
217
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$245,792, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 September 30, 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 (5)
  1. $2.2 million spent. Day and overnight camping program for children 5 to 15 with sessions ranging from one to ten weeks (overnight is two to eight weeks) in length. Traditional camp activities include water sports and boating on our private mile long lake, arts and crafts, archery, field games, theater, and more. More than 1,500 children attended our summer camping programs during the year.
  2. $944,724 spent. Incarnation Conference Center offers an ideal setting for retreats and other special events for not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and other groups. We have multiple facilities which are able to accomodate 20-200 people. Guests are allowed to take advantage of our 700 acres, hiking, swimming in the lake, and much more. Nearly 325 groups stayed at the Conference Center during the year.
  3. $433,096 spent. The Bushy Hill Nature Center provides summer day camp with emphasis on nature and wilderness studies. The staff also provides year-round primative studies, wetland and maple sugaring programs to pre-K through grade 5 students. Bushy Hill also provides an afterschool mentoring program where we strive to provide a safe, fun and comfortable place where students can respectfully connect with their peers, elders and nature. Bushy Hill is a safe, fun, non-competitive environment where kids can experience the wonders of nature. About 3,000 individuals participate in these programs each year.
  4. $373,690 spent. The Center provides the program Nature's Playground, where children are able to take the bus right to our location after school. Supervised by our staff, children are provided a snack and are able to participate in field sports, arts and crafts, and hiking. Parents can pick up their children as late as 6pm which enables them to complete a full day at work.
  5. $227,475 spent. The Center provides facilities to Nature's Classroom, a residential environmental education program. Children from schools all over Connecticut and New England come to the Ivoryton location to experience the 3-5 day program. After spending a week at Nature's Classroom, living and learning together, students develop a sense of community, a confidence in themselves and an appreciation for others that carries over to the school community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 May 1949.

    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.