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Carley Cunniff Peter S Dixon Md Foundation

EIN 90-0287855 · Old Saybrook, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION EXISTS TO IMPROVE THE ART OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE NEAR OR AT THE END OF THEIR LIVES. THEIR GOAL IS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE PHYSICIANS, SURGEONS AND NURSES CONCERNING THEIR ROLE IN CARING FOR PATIENTS THAT DIE FROM A PROLONGED ILLNESS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, FREE OF CHARGE, ACCESS TO HELPFUL END OF LFE TOOLS THROUGH THEIR PLANNING MY WAY GUIDES.

Income
$335,019
Spending
$435,460
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
80.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$165,000, executive dir.

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 80.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 41 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    6 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, 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 (1)
  1. $396,928 spent. In 2024, Cunniff Dixon Foundation proudly created and produced the initial episodes of our newest video series, Influencer Interview (https://vimeo.com/XXX-XX-XXXX ) showcasing compelling stories of influential figures from diverse backgrounds who are shaping the landscape of end-of-life care. Each uniquely stylized short video unveils the impactful journeys of these influencers highlighting their pivotal contributions. In order to create a broader community and connection between awardees, colleagues, friends and family, the Cunniff Dixon Foundation Newsletter Series has expanded.Through the newsletter we are drawing attention to the resources available to the public interested in the art of medicine near the end of life and planning issues related to end-of-life care.We also continue to connect with our Planning My Way community which serves as a natural magnet to the no-cost end-of-life planning tools provided by CDF through Planning My Way: https://www.planningmyway.org/. Organic outreach via targeted and consistent social media posting via the Planning My Way Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/planningmyway and Cunniff Dixon Foundation Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cunniffdixon has been the impetus for likes and shares of content related to advance care planning and outreach and recognition by individuals as well as organizations. 2024 has marked the entry into an early stage partnership with The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) in collaboration with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to provide undergraduate and graduate nursing facility providers, CE Providers, staff development educators, specialty nurses in pediatrics, oncology, critical care and geriatrics, and other nurses with training in palliative care so they can teach this essential information to nursing students, practicing nurses and other healthcare professionals.The Cunniff-Dixon Foundation honored six physician awardees this year presenting over six figures in award remuneration to exemplary physicians in the field of palliative medicine. We also opened the award nominations October 1, 2024 for the 2025 nursing awards. Prizes of $25,000 each will go to three nurses who provide outstanding end-of-life care, based on compassionate service and merit. To support nomination outreach, we created a short video regarding the nomination process here: https://vimeo.com/XXX-XX-XXXX.

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? 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 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 2007.

    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.