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Center for Sacred Studies Morningstar Foundation

EIN 77-0572410 · Guerneville, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER FOR SACRED STUDIES (CSS) IS DEDICATED TO SUSTAINING WAYS OF LIFE BASED ON COLLABORATION AND RECIPROCITY WITH THE EARTH AND ALL HER BEINGS. CSS ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING PRAYER SERVICES, CEREMONIES, AND A VARIETY OF GATHERINGS FOR WORSHIP ACCORDING TO VARIOUS TRADITIONS. THE PURPOSE OF THESE OFFERINGS IS TO INVITE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP DEVOTION AND TO STRENGTHEN THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE DIVINE. CSS PROGRAMS INCLUDE DIRECTED STUDY AND MINISTERIAL TRAINING. THE DIRECTED STUDY EXPLORES METHODOLOGIES, PRACTICES, THEORIES, TRADITIONS, BELIEFS, SCRIPTURES, PHILOSOPHIES AND INDIVIDUAL SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES. THE GOAL IS TO ENLIGHTEN AN INDIVIDUAL'S PRACTICE OF WORSHIP AND DAILY LIVING FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIVING ONE'S LIFE AS A WALKING PRAYER. THE MINISTRY TRAINING PREPARES ONE TO ASSIST OTHERS THROUGH THE "DIRECTED STUDY" AS LISTED ABOVE. THOSE GOING THROUGH THE CSS MINISTRY TRAINING MAY BE ORDAINED AND ABLE TO CONDUCT CEREMONIES, STUDY GROUPS, AND ASS

Income
$259,761
Spending
$181,843
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
4
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$21,655, treasurer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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, 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 (8)
  1. $75,965 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:CSS programs include directed study and ministerial training. The directed study explores methodologies, practices, theories, traditions, beliefs, scriptures, philosophies and individual spiritual experiences. The goal is to enlighten an individuals practice of worship and daily living for the purpose of living one's life as a walking prayer.
  2. $56,576 spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS: CENTER FOR SACRED STUDIES ACTS AS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS WHOSE MISSIONS ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR OWN TAX-EXEMPT MISSION AND GOALS. CENTER FOR SACRED STUDIES OFFERS SERVICES IN ACCOUNTING, HUMAN RESOURCES, MENTORING, AND LEGAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT.
  3. $7,957 spent. FUNDRAISING OUTREACH
  4. $3,296 spent. ALLIANCE PROGRAM:CSSS ALLIANCE program includes collaboration with other organizations and programs that protects the Earth and all Her beings, for peace and unity for all. We look to further our vision through the realization of projects that protect our diverse cultures, lands, medicines and language.
  5. $500 spent. Kayumari Sanctuary Program:Kayumari in the Redwoods Sanctuary Program, in collaboration with Wildwood Foundation located in Guerneville California, provides the land base and retreat facilities for the Center for Sacred Studies programs of study. Sanctuary activities also include providing prayer services, ceremonies and a variety of gatherings for worship according to various spiritual traditions.
  6. MINISTRY TRAINING: The Ministry Training prepares one to assist others through the "directed study" as listed below. Those going through the CSS Ministry Training may be ordained and able to conduct ceremonies, study groups, and assist individuals through their unique spiritual process.
  7. THE CENTER FOR SACRED STUDIES CENTER AND EARTH & SPIRIT STORE:CSS has a physical location in Guerneville, California where we Create sacred space with different cultural traditions in prayer and the sharing of knowledge; are Unified by Cultural traditions; Serve Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit; Offer workshops, classes, and ancient healing modalities; Sell crystals, books, jewelry, music and artisan items to create sacred space; and in the Spirit of Collaboration and Reciprocity, build bridges of understanding with other healing centers and communities.
  8. THE MOTHER EARTH DELEGATION FOR UNITED ORIGINAL NATIONS: FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF MOTHER EARTH LED BY THE WISDOM OF ORIGINAL PEOPLES, HOLDS MONTHLY ONLINE PRAYER GATHERINGS BRINGING THE SACRED SONGS, TEACHINGS AND MESSAGES FROM MOTHER EARTH ABOUT HOW TO WALK THROUGH THESE CHALLENGING TIMES. THESE ONLINE GATHERINGS HAVE BROUGHT THE DELEGATION TO THE WORLD STAGE AND A GLOBAL COMMUNITY IS FORMING AROUND THIS PRAYER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 2002.

    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.