Candlelighters of Southwest Florida Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF CANDLELIGHTERS IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER OR BLOOD DISORDERS AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO CARE FOR THEM.
- Income
- $27,900
- Spending
- $49,828
- Reserves
- 37.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $26,880, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $19,222 spent. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDE:HAPPY NOTES - TO HONOR A PERSON ON ANY OCCASION. GIFT CARDS ARE MAILED TO THE RECIPIENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DONATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED. FOR EXAMPLE, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, GRADUATIONS, END OF TREATMENTS, OR OTHER SPECIAL TIMES. MEMORIALS - TO RECOGNIZE AND REMEMBER A CHILD OR LOVED ONE WHO IS DECEASED ARE AVAILABLE. GIFT CARDS ARE MAILED TO A FAMILY TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DONATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN MEMORY OF THEIR LOVED ONE. PARENT MEETINGS - ARE OFFERED VIA ZOOM A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR. WE ALSO OFFER A "NEW FAMILY ZOOM" INFORMAL SESSION WHERE WE CAN INTRODUCE OURSELVES TO FAMILIES AND BETTER EXPLAIN OUR PROGRAM AND GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT TYPE OF HELP A FAMILY MAY NEED. PARENT MEETINGS HELP FAMILIES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR CHILD'S DISEASE AS WELL AS REALIZE THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN THE JOURNEY. OCCASIONAL SPEAKERS ARE SECURED TO DISCUSS TOPICS OF INTEREST HOWEVER MOST MEETINGS FOCUS ON INTRODUCING PARENTS TO ONE ANOTHER. NEWSLETTERS - NEWSLETTERS ARE PUBLISHED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS TO KEEP FAMILIES IN TOUCH WITH ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT AVAILABLE AS WELL AS UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISERS. THERE IS NO CHARGE TO RECEIVE THE PUBLICATION. TELEPHONE SUPPORT - TELEPHONE SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS AND BEREAVED PARENTS. EFFORTS ARE MADE TO HAVE FAMILIES NETWORK WITH ANOTHER FAMILY IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
- $19,930 spent. FAMILY & TEEN ACTIVITIES:FAMILY ACTIVITIES - REGULARLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE ENTIRE FAMILY ARE ORGANIZED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO HELP FAMILIES DEAL WITH THE FEELINGS OF ISOLATION. SUCH ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE BASEBALL GAMES, THEATRE TICKETS, SKATING, MINIATURE GOLF, HAYRIDES, PICNIC, HOLIDAY PARTIES OR A "FUN TRIP" TO A FLORIDA AMUSEMENT PARK.
- $3,375 spent. EMERGENCY FUND & DEATH BENEFIT:EMERGENCY FUNDS - THE EMERGENCY FUND IS AVAILABLE TO ALL REGISTERED FAMILIES TO PROVIDE LIMITED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THESE MAY OCCUR AT THE ONSET OF DIAGNOSIS, DURING TREATMENT, AS RESULT OF A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT OR DUE TO THE ONSET OF THE LATE TERM EFFECTS OF RADIATION OR CHEMOTHERAPY. THESE FUNDS ARE MEANT TO HELP WITH THE COST OF UTILITIES, GROCERIES, TRANSPORTATION, RENT, INSURANCE, CHILDCARE, AND OTHER FAMILY SITUATIONS OCCURRING. DEATH BENEFIT - FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF A CHILD'S DEATH TO HELP THE FAMILY WITH THE MANY UNPLANNED EXPENSES INCURRED DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.