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United Zion Retirement Community

EIN 23-1365176 · Lititz, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak27 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 95 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

BASED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES, WE PROVIDE A COMMUNITY WHERE RESIDENTS THRIVE BY FOCUSING ON INDEPENDENCE, DIGNITY, AND PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL WELLNESS.

Income
$14.5 million
Spending
$14.3 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-12.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
215
Volunteers
62
Highest pay
$200,696, ceo

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

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 95 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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, 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. $12.9 million spent. AT UNITED ZION RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, MAINTAINING AN INDIVIDUAL'S HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE REMAINS OUR GOAL WHETHER SUPPORTING THEM IN INDEPENDENT LIVING COTTAGES OR APARTMENTS, IN PERSONAL CARE SUITES OR HEALTHCARE. EACH RESIDENCE HAS SOMETHING GREAT TO OFFER. ALL COTTAGES INCLUDE A FULL DAY-LIGHT BASEMENT ABLE TO BE CUSTOMIZED TO SPECIFIC LIFESTYLE NEEDS. ALL FIRST FLOOR APARTMENTS INCLUDE THEIR OWN OUTSIDE ENTRANCE AND PORCHES AND SELECTED APARTMENTS CAN BE PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL PERSONAL CARE SERVICES TO PREVENT A PRE-MATURE MOVE FROM THE APARTMENT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. SEVERAL PLEASANT DINING VENUES, VARIED RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, FREQUENT OFF-CAMPUS TRIPS AND DAILY SPIRITUAL PROGRAMS IN THE CHAPEL ENHANCE ONE'S LIFESTYLE, INDEPENDENCE AND CHOICE. HEALTHCARE ROOMS, DESIGNED BY AWARD WINNING ARCHITECTS, PROVIDE ENHANCED PRIVACY FOR BOTH PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE - SHARED BATH ACCOMMODATIONS AND FLAT SCREEN TELEVISIONS. EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL THERAPISTS PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES. UNITED ZION RETIREMENT COMMUNITY'S MORE THAN 115 YEAR REPUTATION FOR PROVIDING THESE QUALITY SENIOR SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS UNITED ZION'S EXPERIENCE IN MEETING THE UNIQUE NEEDS AND PREFERENCES OF OLDER ADULTS. UNITED ZION RETIREMENT COMMUNITY PROVIDES CONTINUING CARE FOR RESIDENTS MEETING CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA UPON RESIDENCY. THIS ASSURES INDIVIDUALS SEEKING RESIDENCY THAT BENEVOLENT SUPPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE SHOULD THEY BE UNABLE TO PAY THE FULL COST OF THEIR FUTURE CARE. THE LEVEL OF THIS UNFUNDED CARE AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY $1,801,000 IN 2024 INCLUDING COSTS RELATED TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM. FOR 2024 IN HEALTH CARE, 32% OF THE 20,717 RESIDENT DAYS WERE PAID BY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. IN PERSONAL CARE, 26% OF THE 9,331 DAYS WERE BENEVOLENT FUNDS.

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 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 1978.

    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.