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Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona

EIN 43-2080690 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CANDLELIGHTERS SUPPORTS, SERVES AND ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CANCER, SICKLE CELL AND OTHER BLOOD DISORDERS, ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES, LONG TERM SURVIVORS, BEREAVED FAMILIES AND THE PROFESSIONALS THAT CARE FOR THEM.

Income
$314,317
Spending
$193,085
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
27 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
2
Volunteers
375
Highest pay
$67,600, highest compensated employee

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 December 31, 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 (4)
  1. $121,623 spent. YOUTH & SIBLING SUPPORT PROGRAM: CANDLELIGHTERS LARGEST AREA OF SERVICE INCLUDES PROGRAMMING FOR THE DIAGNOSED CHILD, THEIR SIBLINGS AND FAMILY. FAMILY SUMMER CAMP OUR OVERNIGHT THERAPEUTIC CAMP ACCOMMODATED 110 CAMPERS IN 2025 AND WAS HELD ON MT LEMMON, AZ WITH 2 STAFF, 2 INTERNS AND 65 VOLUNTEERS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDED 250 GIFT WISHES FOR THE CHILDREN, TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS ALONG WITH 12 FAMILY ADOPTIONS PROVIDING FOOD AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES. OUR MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP FOR THE CHILDREN AND PARENTS WAS REINSTATED IN 2025. OTHER EVENTS FOR THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES INCLUDE THE HALLOWEEN PARTY, DREAM NIGHT PROM FOR THE TEENS, AND CANDLE LIGHTING FOR BEREAVED FAMILIES. CANDLELIGHTERS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED A PARENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP IN NOGALES IN 2025 PROVIDING MORE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, AZ.
  2. $24,529 spent. FAMILY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: CANDLELIGHTERS PROVIDES FUNDING TO PAY RENT, MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, UTILITY BILLS, AUTO REPAIR, INSURANCE ETC. FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. REQUESTS ARE VETTED BY THE TREATING HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKERS AND A SMALL TEAM OF BOARD MEMBERS. ALSO FUNDED ARE THE 42 FAMILIES ADOPTED FOR DAYS OF CARING PROVIDING FOOD, DIAPERS AND HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES. 347 FAMILY MEMBERS WERE SERVED IN 2025.
  3. $3,171 spent. SICKLE CELL SERVICES PROVIDES DIRECT SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD/TEEN WITH A SICKLE CELL DIAGNOSIS AS WELL AS INCLUDING THESE FAMILIES IN ALL PROGRAMMING PROVIDED BY CANDLELIGHTERS.
  4. $3,120 spent. AYA YOUNG ADULT & ADOLESCENT SUPPORT. CANDLELIGHTERS PROVIDES A MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP FOR YOUNG ADULTS MODERATED BY A SOCIAL WORKER, ALONG WITH PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SUPPORT TO YOUNG ADULTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 August 2006.

    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.