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Torch Light Recovery Inc

EIN 86-3865046 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO FOSTER LONG-TERM RECOVERY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS BY DELIVERING CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE, COMMUNITY-INFORMED PROGRAMS THAT ELEVATE THE VOICES AND EXPERIENCES OF THOSE AFFECTED BY ADDICTION. THROUGH PARTNERSHIP, EDUCATION, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, WE WORK TO STRENGTHEN HEALING, WELLNESS, AND RESILIENCE. GUIDED BY COMPASSION AND EQUITY, WE STRIVE TO BECOME A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN THE RECOVERY MOVEMENT AND TO CULTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF RECOVERY LEADERS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$731,022
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
11
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$153,011, director

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 516% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
  1. $192,963 spent. NUBIAN OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
  2. $312,516 spent. TORCHLIGHT RECOVERY IS A BIPOC-LED, COMMUNITY-ROOTED ORGANIZATION PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGHOUT GREATER BOSTON. WE EMPOWER HEALING AND WELLNESS THROUGH PEER SUPPORT, REENTRY SERVICES, AND PLACE-BASED INITIATIVES GROUNDED IN EQUITY, DIGNITY, AND CONNECTION.
  3. $86,293 spent. TORCHLIGHT RE-ENTRY PROVIDES COMPASSIONATE, HIGH-QUALITY, AND INDIVIDUALIZED PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE BIPOC COMMUNITY ACROSS GREATER BOSTON. THEY ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO HELPING PEOPLE OF COLOR HEAL SPIRITUALLY, MENTALLY, AND PHYSICALLY - FOSTERING A PATH TO LONG-TERM WELLNESS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION.
  4. $61,352 spent. RECOVERY EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE LIFELONG LEARNING ENHANCED BY SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE IN ADDICTION AND RECOVERY THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS, BY PROVIDING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE EDUCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS. WE STRIVE TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES AND UPLIFTS ALL ITS MEMBERS

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2024 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2024.

    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 December 2024.

    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 September 2025.

    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.