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Creative Lives Inc

EIN 47-1544227 · Thetford, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CREATIVE LIVES HELPS CHILDREN PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURE AND THRIVE IN BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT THROUGH A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TEACHING AND PARENTING. WE ADVANCE A FRAMEWORK FOR WISE EDUCATION, DEVELOPED BY EDUCATOR ELLEN TADD, THROUGH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS NATIONWIDE. THE FRAMEWORK SUPPORTS WHOLE-CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENS THE WELL-BEING, EFFECTIVENESS, AND COLLABORATION OF EDUCATORS, PARENTS, AND CAREGIVERS.

Income
$108,347
Spending
$139,397
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
2
Volunteers
2
Highest pay
$66,761, executive di

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $114,753 spent. IN 2025, CREATIVE LIVES PILOTED A COHORT TRAINING PROGRAM IN A FRAMEWORK FOR WISE EDUCATION, SERVING 27 EARLY AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS FROM VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE PROGRAM TRAINED COHESIVE TEAMS OF EDUCATORS FROM THE SAME SCHOOLS AND CENTERS, STRENGTHENING INDIVIDUAL GROWTH WHILE IMPROVING COLLABORATION, CONSISTENCY, AND STUDENT OUTCOMES. PARTICIPANTS DEVOTED APPROXIMATELY 110 HOURS TO TRAINING, INCLUDING COURSEWORK, APPLIED PRACTICE, PEER LEARNING, AND CLASSROOM IMPLEMENTATION. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED TWO SEQUENTIAL COURSES (FOUNDATIONS 1 AND FOUNDATIONS 2), SITE VISITS, AND A CLOSING RETREAT. SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS ELECTED TO EARN GRADUATE CREDIT THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY. PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND EFFECTIVENESS EDUCATOR OUTCOMES (POST-TRAINING COMPARED TO PRE-TRAINING): - 77% REPORTED FEELING REGULARLY JOYFUL IN THEIR WORK (30% PRE-TRAINING). - 73% REPORTED REGULARLY MAKING WISE DECISIONS AT WORK (33% PRE-TRAINING). - 79% REPORTED MOVING EFFECTIVELY BETWEEN LEADING AND LISTENING (27% PRE- TRAINING). - 89% STRONGLY AGREED THE TRAINING IMPROVED THEIR ABILITY TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND POTENTIAL. - 93% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED THEY NOW HAVE A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO EDUCATE AND RAISE CHILDREN. STUDENT AND CLASSROOM IMPACTS: - ABILITY TO INSPIRE STUDENTS TO LEARN INCREASED FROM 37% TO 79%. - SUPPORT FOR WISE DECISION-MAKING INCREASED FROM 28% TO 71%. - SUPPORT FOR EMOTIONAL STABILITY INCREASED FROM 62% TO 93%. - SUPPORT FOR BALANCED CLASSROOM DYNAMICS INCREASED FROM 68% TO 93%. - SUPPORT FOR DISCIPLINE AND ACCOUNTABILITY INCREASED FROM 26% TO 67%. DESCRIPTION OF EDUCATIONAL APPROACH A FRAMEWORK FOR WISE EDUCATION IS BASED ON ELLEN TADD'S DISCOVERIES ABOUT THE HUMAN ENERGY (CHAKRA) SYSTEM AND ITS PRACTICAL ROLE IN OPTIMAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. THE FRAMEWORK IDENTIFIES SEVEN INTERCONNECTED CATEGORIES- INSPIRATION, FOCUS, SELF-ESTEEM, GOOD INTENTIONS, EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, IDENTITY, AND DISCIPLINE-THAT TOGETHER SUPPORT LEARNING, RESILIENCE, COLLABORATION, AND WELL-BEING A FRAMEWORK FOR WISE EDUCATION IS BASED ON ELLEN TADD'S DISCOVERIES ABOUT THE HUMAN ENERGY (CHAKRA) SYSTEM AND ITS PRACTICAL ROLE IN OPTIMAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. THE FRAMEWORK IDENTIFIES SEVEN INTERCONNECTED CATEGORIES- INSPIRATION, FOCUS, SELF-ESTEEM, GOOD INTENTIONS, EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, IDENTITY, AND DISCIPLINE-THAT TOGETHER SUPPORT LEARNING, RESILIENCE, COLLABORATION, AND WELL-BEING. ILLUSTRATIVE IMPACT PARTICIPANTS CONSISTENTLY REPORTED MEANINGFUL PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH. ONE CENTER DIRECTOR SHARED THAT THE PROGRAM DOES NOT JUST CHANGE EDUCATORS BUT TRANSFORMS TEAMS. ANOTHER EDUCATOR NOTED THAT TRAINING ALONGSIDE COLLEAGUES IMPROVED COLLABORATION AND STUDENT OUTCOMES. PARENTS AND EDUCATORS ALSO DESCRIBED IMPROVED EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND STUDENT RESILIENCE, INCLUDING ONE INSTANCE WHERE A CHILD APPLIED FRAMEWORK TOOLS TO RESPOND TO A DISCRIMINATORY INCIDENT WITH CALM REFLECTION AND LEADERSHIP. FUNDING SOURCES AND VOLUNTEER TIME FUNDING SOURCES INCLUDE TUITION, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC GRANTS, AND CHARITABLE DONATIONS. VOLUNTEER TIME EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY 5,800 IN PAID STAFF TIME, BASED ON AN ESTIMATED RATE OF 25 PER HOUR. CURRENT AND PLANNED ACTIVITIES BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE COHORT TRAINING PROGRAM PILOT, CREATIVE LIVES IS COMMITTED TO SCALING THIS MODEL TO SERVE EDUCATORS WORKING WITH CHILDREN FROM THE EARLY YEARS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. THE ORGANIZATION IS DEVELOPING SELF-PACED COURSES, WORKSHOPS, AND SUPPORTING TOOLS TO EXTEND REACH WHILE MAINTAINING PROGRAM QUALITY. CREATIVE LIVES SEEKS CONTINUED GRANT SUPPORT TO PROVIDE TUITION ASSISTANCE AND ENSURE ACCESS TO THIS IN-DEPTH TRAINING. IN 2025, CREATIVE LIVES PILOTED A COHORT TRAINING PROGRAM IN A FRAMEWORK FOR WISE EDUCATION, SERVING 27 EARLY AND ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS FROM VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE PROGRAM TRAINED COHESIVE TEAMS OF EDUCATORS FROM THE SAME SCHOOLS AND CENTERS, STRENGTHENING INDIVIDUAL GROWTH WHILE IMPROVING COLLABORATION, CONSISTENCY, AND STUDENT OUTCOMES. PARTICIPANTS DEVOTED APPROXIMATELY 110 HOURS TO TRAINING, INCLUDING COURSEWORK, APPLIED PRACTICE, PEER LEARNING, AND CLASSROOM IMPLEMENTATION. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED TWO SEQUENTIAL COURSES (FOUNDATIONS 1 AND FOUNDATIONS 2), SITE VISITS, AND A CLOSING RETREAT. SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS ELECTED TO EARN GRADUATE CREDIT THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY. PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND EFFECTIVENESS EDUCATOR OUTCOMES (POST-TRAINING COMPARED TO PRE-TRAINING): - 77% REPORTED FEELING REGULARLY JOYFUL IN THEIR WORK (30% PRE-TRAINING). - 73% REPORTED REGULARLY MAKING WISE DECISIONS AT WORK (33% PRE-TRAINING). - 79% REPORTED MOVING EFFECTIVELY BETWEEN LEADING AND LISTENING (27% PRE- TRAINING). - 89% STRONGLY AGREED THE TRAINING IMPROVED THEIR ABILITY TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND POTENTIAL. - 93% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED THEY NOW HAVE A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO EDUCATE AND RAISE CHILDREN. STUDENT AND CLASSROOM IMPACTS: - ABILITY TO INSPIRE STUDENTS TO LEARN INCREASED FROM 37% TO 79%. - SUPPORT FOR WISE DECISION-MAKING INCREASED FROM 28% TO 71%. - SUPPORT FOR EMOTIONAL STABILITY INCREASED FROM 62% TO 93%. - SUPPORT FOR BALANCED CLASSROOM DYNAMICS INCREASED FROM 68% TO 93%. - SUPPORT FOR DISCIPLINE AND ACCOUNTABILITY INCREASED FROM 26% TO 67%. DESCRIPTION OF EDUCATIONAL APPROACH A FRAMEWORK FOR WISE EDUCATION IS BASED ON ELLEN TADD'S DISCOVERIES ABOUT THE HUMAN ENERGY (CHAKRA) SYSTEM AND ITS PRACTICAL ROLE IN OPTIMAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. THE FRAMEWORK IDENTIFIES SEVEN INTERCONNECTED CATEGORIES- INSPIRATION, FOCUS, SELF-ESTEEM, GOOD INTENTIONS, EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, IDENTITY, AND DISCIPLINE-THAT TOGETHER SUPPORT LEARNING, RESILIENCE, COLLABORATION, AND WELL-BEING A FRAMEWORK FOR WISE EDUCATION IS BASED ON ELLEN TADD'S DISCOVERIES ABOUT THE HUMAN ENERGY (CHAKRA) SYSTEM AND ITS PRACTICAL ROLE IN OPTIMAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. THE FRAMEWORK IDENTIFIES SEVEN INTERCONNECTED CATEGORIES- INSPIRATION, FOCUS, SELF-ESTEEM, GOOD INTENTIONS, EMOTIONAL WELL-BEI

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 June 2015.

    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.