Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Institute for Contemplative Life

EIN 80-0272164 · Redlands, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our purpose is to support the inner pathway of all who come to us. By inner pathway, we refer to the innate qualities of the human spirit: love, joy, gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, inner peace, beauty, and humor. The inner pathway is timeless and open to all, free of dogma, dues, or membership. These inner capacities are the goal of every religion, yet religion is not required to access them because they lie within each person. We foster these inner qualities by presenting the teachings of all verified spiritual paths in a way that is of practical benefit. We do this through offering private sessions in spiritual direction, publication of unique books, podcasts, films, classes, retreats, workshops, and regular meditation gatherings.

Income
$102,847
Spending
$99,851
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
68.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 68.9 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 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • 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

    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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (1)
  1. $91,410 spent. NEW BOOKS: 1 The Power of Love book was published in e-book format for the first time. 2 There Is No Time Not To Live: Interview About My Journey with Fran Grace was written, produced and published in print and e-book formats. NEW VIDEOS AND CONTENT: 1 Fran created 10 new videos that are available on Vimeo and YouTube. 2 Fran has written several REFLECTIONS aka blog posts in the last year. 3 Social Media: Facebook page and Instagram page, where we post inspirational messages and announcements, every few days. 4. Fran created one-third of the content for our new Power of Love online course to be launched in 2026. NEW ONLINE COURSE PLATFORM: Fran and web designer spent 8 months to establish a platform on our website for new online courses, which will be available to the public beginning in January 2026. NEW SPIRITUAL DIRECTION SERVICES: Beginning in December 2022, Fran now offers individual Spiritual Direction / Mentoring sessions by donation to The Institute. People can make the appointment online. https://innerpathway.com/about/spiritual-direction/ NEW EVENTS: 1 Fran began a year-long curriculum called Great Books of the Inner World, offered in two, 12-week semesters, every week at two different time sessions to accommodate global time zones. 2 Dream Workshops: Diane and Fran offered 1 workshop in 2024. 3 Fran offered a 4-day contemplative retreat in Inverness, CA, on topic The Path of the Mystic. 4. Fran started a new POL Study Group on Mondays every week for people who live in Europe and other time zones. CONTINUED ACTIVITIES: 1 Continuing since 2019: Fran and Board members Chris, Michelle and Lynde attend a weekly POL Study Group on Zoom with people who have completed her online course based on the book. 2 Continuing since 2020: Fran facilitates a weekly Loving Kindness Meditation on Zoom, in collaboration with the University of Redlands, and Board member Lynde Nottebaum assists.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on February 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    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 September 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 March 2012.

    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.