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Light a Candle Project

EIN 82-3606131 · Redding, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE CHARITABLE SUPPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND REHABILITATION OF PERSONS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS, DISEASE, FAMINE AND WAR. PROVIDING PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$48,000, president

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE HELP TO CHILDREN IN INDIA THATARE IN THE POOREST VILLAGES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CITIES. THESE ARECHILDREN THAT ARE EITHER ORPHANED, OR PARENTS ARE VERY POOR WORKING FORONLY $1 TO $3 A DAY. THE EXEMPT ORGANIZATION PROVIDED FOOD, EDUCATION,TRANSPORTATION, MEDICAL CAMPS AND SPIRITUAL CARE.
  2. SHORT TERM MISSION TRIPS TO PROVIDE HELP TO WAR TORN AND DESOLATECOUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD BY MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE,PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY AND MENTALLY. WE BRING AID WHEN NEEDED, DOMEDICAL CAMPS, CHILDREN CAMPS, REBUILD WHEN NECESSARY, CREATRELATIONSHIPS WITH GROUND CONNECTIONS TO CONTINUE LONG TERM WORK. WESEND TEAMS ALL OVER THE WORLD INCLUDING IRAQ, INDIA, BAHRAIN, PAKISTANAND MORE.
  3. LONG TERM PROJECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST, LIGHT A CANDLE HAS A LONG TERMTEAM THAT IS ON THE GROUND IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE HOST SHORT TERM TEAMSTHAT COME TO WORK IN THE REFUGEE CAMPS WITH DISPLACED PEOPLE OF MOSULFROM THE WAR. WE WORK WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND, BUILDINGCOMMUNITY AND WAR. WE WORK WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND,BUILDING COMMUNITY AND CONNECTIONS. WE HELPED A ORPHANAGE BY PROVIDINGDAY VOLUNTEER HELPERS WITH KIDS, SUPPLIES AND BASIC NEEDS. WE DO A ONCEA YEAR DISTRIBUTION WHERE WE HAVE FUNDRAISED FOR DIAPERS, WIPES,FORMULA, FLOUR, RICE AND OILS.

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 November 6, 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 April 2019.

    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 November 4, 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.