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Candlelighters of New York City Inc

EIN 20-8580720 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CANDLELIGHTERS IS DEDICATED TO HELPING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN NEW YORK CITY THROUGH THE DIFFICULT STAGES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER-DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND REMISSION. CANDLELIGHTERS PROVIDES AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM FULL OF LOVE AND COMFORT WHILE THEY ARE SO FAR AWAY FROM HOME. CANDLELIGHTERS ADDS QUALITY OF LIFE TO CHILDREN WITH CANCER BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A FUN, POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE TO HELP THEM FEEL NORMAL IN A SITUATION THAT IS SO FAR FROM THAT.

Income
$441,705
Spending
$522,327
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$96,019, executive director / found

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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $494,416 spent. CANDLELIGHTERS NYC IS AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES GET THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES WHEN A CHILD IS DIAGNOSED WITH AND BEING TREATED FOR CANCER. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS THEM THROUGH ALL STAGES: DISCOVERY, TREATMENT, AND REMISSION. THE ORGANIZATION SERVES OVER 200 FAMILIES IN NEW YORK CITY. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED $171,000 OF IN-KIND DONATIONS TO SUPPLEMENT ITS PROGRAM OF WHICH IS REPORTED AS REVENUE ON THE FORM 990 FOR CLOTHES, TOYS, TICKETS, ETC.

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 August 2008.

    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.

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.