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Passes our checks

Center for Conscious Living & Dying Inc

EIN 87-3657907 · Swannanoa, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We imagine a world where Every One Awakens to the Power of Love and Service. Every Day We Practice Ways to Embrace Death and Support One Another With Loving Presence.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$972,949
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
9
Volunteers
254
Highest pay
$118,636, executive director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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. $782,590 spent. General Volunteer Opportunities & Enrichment: **Emberlight had 254 active volunteers in 2025 who carried out duties across 20 distinct teams, for a total of 50,948 volunteer hours in 2025. This year we streamlined teams and combined a few to have more clarity. We also added a Team Lead Gathering monthly to offer support, training and opportunities for belonging and connection. **Emberlight hosted a Volunteer Fair for volunteers to determine which opportunity works best for them and & training for all volunteers through our four Volunteer Immersions. **We also hosted a 2-day Volunteer Team Lead Retreat
  2. Direct Care of Residents Training & Support: **Emberlight offered 4 training opportunities for Direct Care volunteers caring for dying residents and their families; 8 Skills Labs where volunteers learned specific skills for the bedside, and 6 supplemental trainings on grief, dementia, equity & diversity, and end-of-life options. **Emberlight supports the organization and leadership through weekly coordination meetings, monthly all-team workdays with specialized training, and professional development opportunities for staff. ** Emberlight offered its second Doula Program that includes a retreat, online portion, and on-site apprenticeship learning **Emberlight launched a Mentor Training monthly education series and a Lead Doula training as well as On-Call and Medication/Hospice Training for volunteers who qualified. **The Director of Residential Care sent weekly newsletters to update all direct care volunteers of changes in care, changes in resident status, and updates on direct-care specific learning opportunities.
  3. Community Offerings: **Monthly Member Newsletters to give updates on the growth of the organization. **Monthly Care Circles open to the broader member community **Elder Circles specifically for aging members **Community gatherings including music events, potlucks, social gatherings **Connection of people to resources and events in their communities through the Guidance & Support team. **Hosted speakers, screenings, podcast, interview and community talks. **End-of-Life Doula Services available on our website and through workshops **Doula Program with 25 students from around the US & Canada **Cared for 20 residents and their families **Launched outreach program that reached 2054 people at events, workshops and on phone support calls.

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 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 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 July 2022.

    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.