Retained Lives
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Charitable religious and educational.
- Income
- $90,139
- Spending
- $90,233
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 2025, 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, 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)
- Poverty Alleviation and Vocational Training Program: Retained Lives provided poverty alleviation and vocational sewing training services to an average of 36 program participants in Cambodia including mothers and daughters living below the poverty line. Participants received sewing and quilt-making instruction intended to develop vocational skills and future employment opportunities. The program also provided participant assistance and meals for mothers and children attending the center approximately 2023 days per month.
- Education Scholarship Program: Retained Lives provided educational scholarship support for children of program participants enrolled in Cambodian public schools. Scholarships supported supplemental educational instruction beyond basic public education at the elementary and secondary levels. The organization also provides tuition assistance for students pursuing university degrees vocational training or certificate programs following high school graduation. One student in the program is expected to graduate in 2026.
- Relief and Food Distribution Program: Retained Lives provided food relief and essential supplies to families living in poverty in rural Cambodian communities including Samraong Village and surrounding villages within the commune. During 2025 the organization distributed food and relief supplies to families in 12 villages.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 2025.
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 November 2020.
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 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.