Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Durham Center for Senior Life

EIN 56-0886647 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENRICH THE LIVES OF DURHAM OLDER ADULTS 55+ BY PROMOTING HEALTHY, ACTIVE, AND INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
63
Highest pay
$117,664, executive di

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: 71 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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 (5)
  1. $685,164 spent. SENIOR CENTERS. APPROXIMATELY 250 SENIORS VISIT DCSL'S SENIOR CENTERS EACH DAY TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATION, FITNESS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS. DCSL CENTERS HOST APPROXIMATELY 70 OF THESE ACTIVITIES EACH WEEK, AND PROVIDE A VARIETY OF HEALTH SERVICES, CLASSES, AND GROUPS, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS. OUR SENIOR CENTERS ARE THE FRONT DOOR TO DCLS'S FULL ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND TO THE DURHAM COUNTY'S NETWORK OF AGING SERVICES. CONGREGATE NUTRITION: DCSL'S DOWNTOWN DURHAM MAIN CENTER AND SATELLITE CENTER IN THE RURAL TOWN OF BAHAMA OFFER FREE, HEALTHY LUNCHTIME MEALS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR AREA SENIORS FIVE DAYS A WEEK. THROUGH THESE, OLDER ADULTS ARE ABLE TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL CONNECTIONS, ENJOY RECREATIONAL PROJECTS, AND BENEFIT FROM BALANCED NUTRITIOUS MEALS. HEALTH PROMOTION: DCSL OFFERS DAILY FITNESS AND ACTIVITY GROUPS, CLASSES AND EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, HELPING SENIORS TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH AND REMAIN ACTIVE. THROUGH A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, SENIORS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL HEALTH SCREENING, EDUCATION, AND RESOURCES ON-SITE AT DCSL CENTERS. SENIOR CENTERS. APPROXIMATELY 250 SENIORS VISIT DCSL'S SENIOR CENTERS EACH DAY TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATION, FITNESS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS. DCSL CENTERS HOST APPROXIMATELY 70 OF THESE ACTIVITIES EACH WEEK, AND PROVIDE A VARIETY OF HEALTH SERVICES, CLASSES, AND GROUPS, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS. OUR SENIOR CENTERS ARE THE FRONT DOOR TO DCLS'S FULL ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND TO THE DURHAM COUNTY'S NETWORK OF AGING SERVICES. CONGREGATE NUTRITION: DCSL'S DOWNTOWN DURHAM MAIN CENTER AND SATELLITE CENTER IN THE RURAL TOWN OF BAHAMA OFFER FREE, HEALTHY LUNCHTIME MEALS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR AREA SENIORS FIVE DAYS A WEEK. THROUGH THESE, OLDER ADULTS ARE ABLE TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL CONNECTIONS, ENJOY RECREATIONAL PROJECTS, AND BENEFIT FROM BALANCED NUTRITIOUS MEALS. HEALTH PROMOTION: DCSL OFFERS DAILY FITNESS AND ACTIVITY GROUPS, CLASSES AND EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, HELPING SENIORS TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH AND REMAIN ACTIVE. THROUGH A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, SENIORS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL HEALTH SCREENING, EDUCATION, AND RESOURCES ON-SITE AT DCSL CENTERS.
  2. $377,970 spent. INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES. DCSL PROVIDES A WIDE ARRAY OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF DURHAM COUNTY'S OLDER RESIDENTS. SERVICES INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, OPTIONS COUNSELING AND COORDINATED SERVICE LINKAGE, HOME WEATHERIZATION, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, TELEPHONE REASSURANCE, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, HOME NUTRITION AND HYGIENE SUPPORT, AND OTHER COMMONLY REQUESTED SERVICES. SERVICES PROVIDED ON-SITE BY OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES, EDUCATION, VETERAN'S RESOURCES, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, HEALTHCARE NAVIGATION, MEDICARE ENROLLMENT, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SERVICES AMONG OTHERS. DCSL ALSO ADDRESSES FOOD INSECURITY THROUGH OUR SHOP & GRAB PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ALLOW OLDER ADULT MONTHLY ACCESS TO FOOD OF THEIR CHOICE AT NO COST TO THEM. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS MORE THAN 100 OLDER ADULTS MONTHLY. INFORMATION, REFERRAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES. DCSL PROVIDES A WIDE ARRAY OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF DURHAM COUNTY'S OLDER RESIDENTS. SERVICES INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, OPTIONS COUNSELING AND COORDINATED SERVICE LINKAGE, HOME WEATHERIZATION, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, TELEPHONE REASSURANCE, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, HOME NUTRITION AND HYGIENE SUPPORT, AND OTHER COMMONLY REQUESTED SERVICES. SERVICES PROVIDED ON-SITE BY OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES, EDUCATION, VETERAN'S RESOURCES, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, HEALTHCARE NAVIGATION, MEDICARE ENROLLMENT, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SERVICES AMONG OTHERS. DCSL ALSO ADDRESSES FOOD INSECURITY THROUGH OUR SHOP & GRAB PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ALLOW OLDER ADULT MONTHLY ACCESS TO FOOD OF THEIR CHOICE AT NO COST TO THEM. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS MORE THAN 100 OLDER ADULTS MONTHLY.
  3. $629,124 spent. ADULT DAY HEALTH: DCSL PROVIDES RESPITE SERVICES ON-SITE FOR UP TO 60 OLDER OR DISABLED ADULTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY EACH DAY, INCLUDING SKILLED NURSING HEALTH SERVICES, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES, PROMOTING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG DURHAM'S MOST VULNERABLE SENIORS.
  4. FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT: DCSL'S FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM HELPS ADULT CHILDREN AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS CARE FOR THEIR AGING LOVED ONES IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, STRUCTURED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND IN-HOME RESPITE CARE. LAST YEAR, OUR FAMILY CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 2,500 HOURS OF RESPITE ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILY CAREGIVERS THROUGHOUT DURHAM COUNTY.
  5. FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT: DCSL'S FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM HELPS ADULT CHILDREN AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS CARE FOR THEIR AGING LOVED ONES IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, STRUCTURED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND IN-HOME RESPITE CARE. LAST YEAR, OUR FAMILY CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 2,500 HOURS OF RESPITE ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILY CAREGIVERS THROUGHOUT DURHAM COUNTY.

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 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 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 October 1954.

    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.