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Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer

EIN 94-2579116 · Las Vegas, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCER.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
-5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
15
Volunteers
1,028
Highest pay
$120,309, cmdo

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. CANDLELIGHTERS IS THE FIRST AND OLDEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN NEVADA SERVING FAMILIES COPING WITH CHILDHOOD CANCER. TWO FAMILIES, EACH WITH A CHILD IN CANCER TREATMENT, FOUNDED CANDLELIGHTERS IN 1978, BELIEVING THAT FAMILIES COULD FIND STRENGTH, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMFORT BY BANDING TOGETHER. FOR FORTY-FIVE YEARS, OUR MISSION HAS BEEN TO PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCER. OUR SERVICES ARE A CRITICAL LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES FACING A CANCER DIAGNOSIS. ON A DAILY BASIS, WE HELP FAMILIES COPE WITH THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP EVOKED BY A CHILDHOOD CANCER DIAGNOSIS. ALL TOO OFTEN, FAMILIES FALL APART FROM THE STRESS OF THE CHILD'S DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, POTENTIAL RELAPSE, AND, SOMETIMES, DEATH, LEAVING PARENTS AND SIBLINGS FEELING ISOLATED, DEPRESSED, AND VULNERABLE. OUR PURPOSE IS TO ALLEVIATE THE ISOLATION MANY FAMILIES FEEL AT THE TIME THEIR CHILD IS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND FAMILY SUPPORT TO ENSURE THEIR ABILITY TO FOCUS ON THE MOST CRITICAL ELEMENT OF CANCER TREATMENT-THEIR CHILD'S SURVIVAL. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY, AT NO COST. OUR PROGRAMS FALL INTO THREE KEY AREAS: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MANY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL STRESS AND HARDSHIP A CHILDHOOD CANCER DIAGNOSIS CREATES FOR A FAMILY. WHILE DEALING WITH THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF A CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND THE IMMEDIATE NEED TO BEGIN TREATMENT, PARENTS ALSO FACE THE UNEXPECTED AND UNPLANNED INCREASE IN FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS, COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS. OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES DUE TO MEDICAL CO-PAYMENTS, PRESCRIPTION COSTS, AND OTHER ADDITIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER TREATMENT COUPLED WITH UNPAID TIME OFF TO CARE FOR THE DIAGNOSED CHILD CREATES FINANCIAL INSTABILITY WITHIN THE HOME. FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FIANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT OR MORTGAGE, UTILITIES, GAS, AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS. CANDLELIGHTERS ALSO PROVIDES A MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION CO-PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM. THE REIMBURSEMENT IS BASED ON A SLIDING SCALE THAT FACTORS IN HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD. IN ADDITION TO THE ASSISTANCE ABOVE, OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDE: TRAVEL FOR TREATMENT WHILE CHILDREN TYPICALLY RECEIVE TREATMENT IN SOUTHERN NEVADA, IT IS COMMON FOR FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN TO TRAVEL TO OTHER STATES FOR SPECIALIZED TREATMENTS, SUCH AS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS AND BRAIN TUMOR TREATMENT. SHOULD A FAMILY FACE THE NEED TO TRAVEL FOR CARE, CANDLELIGHTERS ASSISTS WITH AIRFARE, LODGING, CAR RENTAL, FOOD REIMBURSEMENT, AND GAS CARDS TO HELP OFFSET THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF TRAVEL. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT CANDLELIGHTERS PROVIDES FUNERAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN LOSE THEIR BATTLE WITH CANCER. CANDLELIGHTERS ASSISTS THE FAMILY WITH FUNERAL COSTS. SURVIVOR AND SIBLING SCHOLARSHIPS ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS PARENTS CAN EXPERIENCE IS SEEING THEIR CHILDREN SURVIVE A CANCER JOURNEY AND GO ON TO PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION. CANDLELIGHTERS IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE THESE IMPORTANT MILESTONES AND FUND SCHOLARSHIPS TO SURVIVING CHILDREN AND SIBLINGS FOR COLLEGE, TRADE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT THE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL OF CHILDHOOD CANCER IS CRUCIAL FOR THE CHILD, THE FAMILY AND THE SIBLINGS. WE ENSURE THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS SUPPORTED THROUGHOUT THE CHILDHOOD CANCER JOURNEY AND BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM IMPACT ARE ADDRESSED. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED CONSIST OF COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, ART AND PLAY THERAPY. FAMILIES MAY ACCESS OUR COUNSELING SERVICES AT ANY TIME DURING THEIR CANCER JOURNEY: AT DIAGNOSIS, DURING TREATMENT, SURVIVORSHIP, AND BEREAVEMENT. QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE ISOLATION MANY FAMILIES FEEL, CANDLELIGHTERS PROVIDES FAMILY-FOCUSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS, THE DIAGNOSED CHILD, AND SIBLINGS TO CONNECT WITH OTHER FAMILIES WHO UNDERSTAND THEIR JOURNEY. THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED IN A FUN, COMMUNITY SETTING GIVING THE FAMILIES A SENSE OF NORMALCY DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT WHILE CREATING MEANINGFUL AND LASTING MEMORIES. A FEW OF THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MOVIE NIGHTS, HALLOWEEN BASH, HOLIDAY PARTIES AND A HOLIDAY ADOPT-A-FAMILY. CAMP FIREFLY CANDLELIGHTERS OFFERS A MEDICALLY SUPERVISED CAMP EACH SUMMER. A FIVE-DAY FOUR NIGHT CAMP IS OPEN TO ANY CANDLELIGHTERS CHILD DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND THEIR SIBLINGS, AGES 9-17. STAFF LEAD A ROBUST COMMITTEE OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO PLAN AND COORDINATE CAMP ACTIVITIES AND LOGISTICS. EACH YEAR, CANDLELIGHTERS PROVIDES 150 CAMP OPENINGS FREE OF CHARGE TO FAMILIES. ARTS/EDUCATION PROGRAM CANDLELIGHTERS RECOGNIZES THE SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN IMPACT OF THE ARTS ON REDUCING STRESS LEVELS OF THE CHILD AND FAMILY AND PROMOTING THEIR HEALING PROCESS DURING TREATMENT. CANDLELIGHTERS OFFERS ART EDUCATION THROUGH A CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS ART PROGRAM PROVEN POSITIVE OUTCOMES INCLUDE: (A) LOWERED STRESS AND ANXIETY LEVELS; (B) PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT CONDUCTED WITH MORE EASE SHORTENING TREATMENT TIME; (C) SHORTENS HOSPITAL STAYS; (D) IMPROVES HEALING PROCESS. CANDLELIGHTERS IS THE FIRST AND OLDEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN NEVADA SERVING FAMILIES COPING WITH CHILDHOOD CANCER. TWO FAMILIES, EACH WITH A CHILD IN CANCER TREATMENT, FOUNDED CANDLELIGHTERS IN 1978, BELIEVING THAT FAMILIES COULD FIND STRENGTH, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMFORT BY BANDING TOGETHER. FOR FORTY-FIVE YEARS, OUR MISSION HAS BEEN TO PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCER. OUR SERVICES ARE A CRITICAL LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES FACING A CANCER DIAGNOSIS. ON A DAILY BASIS, WE HELP FAMILIES COPE WITH THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP EVOKED BY A CHILDHOOD CANCER DIAGNOSIS. ALL TOO OFTEN, FAMILIES FALL APART FROM THE STRESS OF THE CHILD'S DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, POTENTIAL RELAPSE, AND, SOMETIMES, DEATH, LEAVING PAREN

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 1979.

    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.