Center for Contemplative Research
Legal name: The Center for Contemplative Research
Overview
Mission
To explore the nature and potentials of consciousness firsthand, while fully engaging with scientists to develop rigorous measures for novel research into the nature of the mind. About Icon The mission of the CCR is to develop, apply, and proliferate methods of contemplative science — through expert training, collaborative research, and accessible education — to further the exploration of the nature and potentials of consciousness, deepen empirical understanding of genuine well-being, and offer accessible tools for flourishing to the world. CCR is associated with the Contemplative Consciousness Network (CCN), a UK Charity whose vision is the transformation of individual consciousness via contemplative practice and scientific investigation for mutual benefit and a world of peace and wisdom. CCN’s intention aligns deeply with the purpose, mission, and vision of CCR. CCR will draw on...
What it reported doing in 2024
The ccr is a global network of contemplative research observatories, where professional contemplatives and researchers work collaboratively across the interface of religion, science, and philosophy. Highly trained contemplatives engage in long-term meditation retreat and collaborate with a global team of expert scientists to measure the impacts of such practices on genuine well-being. The findings inform the development of secular educational offerings for mental balance as well as encourage a dialogue and renaissance across contemplative wisdom traditions. The ccr north america currently hosts 14 full-time contemplatives collaborating with 45 scientists to fathom the nature of mind and human flourishing in a challenging era.
Operating model
- Revenue model
- Donor-supported. 97% of the money available for current operations came from contributions and gifts.
- Distribution model
- Direct operator. The nonprofit carried out 100% of its reported program work directly.
- Includes noncash contributions: Reported contributions include donated property or goods.
Nonprofit profile at a glance
- EIN
- 851666977
- IRS 990 coverage
- 2020–2024
- Website reviewed
- Jun 2026
- Forms available
- Form 990 2024
- Headquarters
- Crestone, CO, United States
- Rating
- 68
- Verdict
- SUPPORTED
- Rating confidence
- Moderate
- Sector
- Buddhism
- Affiliation
- Buddhism
The verdict
SUPPORTED - A large share of available resources goes toward mission work and most voting board members are independent. The filing reports few safeguards for money sent abroad and the filing does not identify recipients for some grant dollars.
Rating breakdown
- Financial Efficiency: 85
- Transparency & Controls: 51
- Accountability: 72
- Sustainability: 33
- Growth: 60
Detailed rating inputs
Financial Efficiency
- Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
- Program expense ratio: 78.8%; rating input score 79
- Fundraising efficiency: $6.57 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
Transparency & Controls
- Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
- Pay-setting controls: Limited
- Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
- Grant itemization coverage: Scored; rating input score 0
- Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
- Related-party transparency: Limited
- Public monitoring controls: 0 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 0
- Public policy transparency: 1 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 14
- Public financial transparency: 0 of 5 controls in place; rating input score 0
- Impact reporting controls: 0 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 0
- Public relationship transparency: Yes; rating input score 100
Accountability
- Independent voting board: 83.3%; rating input score 83; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
- Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
- Public governance controls: 2 of 4 controls in place; rating input score 50
- Zakat policy transparency: Limited
Sustainability
- Operating margin: -30.2%; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
- Operating reserve ratio: 5.07; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
- Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
- Officer compensation ratio: 21.1%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
Growth
- Program expense growth: 27.2% per year; rating input score 100; 89th percentile among comparable filings
- Revenue growth: -30.6% per year; rating input score 0; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
- Asset growth: 11.2% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings
Details
- What they do: 1 programs and campaigns described on the official site
- Where the money goes: 100% of revenue deployed · 78.8% of spending went to programs
- Governance: 5 of 6 board members independent · 5 of 8 filing controls reported
- Programs: 1 filed program accomplishment · $373K in reported program spending
- Leadership: top reported pay $100K · 7 people listed
- Consistency: 25 of 25 current checks pass
- Schedules: 6 filed schedules · includes major donors and foreign activity
- Filing history: 5 annual filings from 2020 to 2024
- Contacts: How to reach this organization
- Money network: 1 filed money-flow record
- Related organizations: 1 filed related-organization link
- Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
- People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.