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Christos Center for Spiritual Formations

EIN 36-3298865 · Lino Lakes, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CHRISTOS CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION, AS STATED IN THE BYLAWS IS: "TO STRENGTHEN THE CHRISTIAN BODY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DEEPER AND MORE COMMITTED PRAYER LIFE BY, FOR EXAMPLE, GIVING RETREATS, SEMINARS, FORMING COMMUNITIES, SPIRITUAL DIRECTION, SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAMS, DEVOTIONAL LITERATURE, AND/OR OTHER ADDITIONAL FORMS, ETC."

Income
$446,427
Spending
$411,871
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
13

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 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 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $316,625 spent. ONE OF THE LONGEST-STANDING PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE, CHRISTOS CENTER'S, TENDING THE HOLY PROGRAM HAS BEEN PREPARING WOMEN AND MEN FOR THE MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION SINCE 1990. TENDING THE HOLY IS A CHRISTIAN ECUMENICAL PROGRAM THAT RESTS ON THE PREMISE THAT WE RECEIVE THE GIFT TO BE PRESENT AND LISTEN TO ANOTHER'S STORY IN A HEALTHY WAY THROUGH OUR OWN PRAYERFUL PRACTICES AND CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCES OF GOD. THE TWO-YEAR PROGRAM BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR IN TWO LOCATIONS (ST. PAUL AND CHICAGO) AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE VIA DISTANCE LEARNING. UPON COMPLETION OF ALL COURSE REQUIREMENTS, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION OF THE TENDING THE HOLY TRAINING PROGRAM THROUGH CHRISTOS CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION. OUR GRADUATES OFFER SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IN LOCATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD. ONE OF THE LONGEST-STANDING PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE, CHRISTOS CENTER'S, TENDING THE HOLY PROGRAM HAS BEEN PREPARING WOMEN AND MEN FOR THE MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION SINCE 1990. TENDING THE HOLY IS A CHRISTIAN ECUMENICAL PROGRAM THAT RESTS ON THE PREMISE THAT WE RECEIVE THE GIFT TO BE PRESENT AND LISTEN TO ANOTHER'S STORY IN A HEALTHY WAY THROUGH OUR OWN PRAYERFUL PRACTICES AND CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCES OF GOD. THE TWO-YEAR PROGRAM BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR IN TWO LOCATIONS (ST. PAUL AND CHICAGO) AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE VIA DISTANCE LEARNING. UPON COMPLETION OF ALL COURSE REQUIREMENTS, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION OF THE TENDING THE HOLY TRAINING PROGRAM THROUGH CHRISTOS CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION. OUR GRADUATES OFFER SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IN LOCATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
  2. $41,338 spent. THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS, WE OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP AND NURTURE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS. EACH EVENT OR WORKSHOP IS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN PARTICIPANTS' CONNECTION WITH GOD'S PRESENCE, IN THEMSELVES, WITH OTHERS, AND THE WORLD. CHRISTOS HOSTS A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS, PRAYER EXPERIENCES, AND GROUP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT RETREAT CENTERS IN THE TWIN CITIES AND CHICAGO.
  3. $2,520 spent. THE ST. PAUL LOCATION IS LOCATED ON 25 ACRES OF WOODED LAND THAT PROVIDES WALKING PATHS AND SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO SIT IN QUIET CONTEMPLATION-A PERFECT SETTING FOR PERSONAL SPIRITUAL RETREATS. THE ON-SITE FACILITY PROVIDES COMFORTABLE PLACES TO READ, CONTEMPLATE OR PRAY, ALONG WITH SEVERAL SMALL ROOMS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR OFFERING AND RECEIVING SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. IT PROVIDES THE MEETING SPACE FOR THE ST. PAUL TENDING THE HOLY CLASSES AND HOUSES THE BUSINESS OFFICE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 July 1984.

    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.