Association For Research And Enlightenment Inc is located in Virginia Beach, VA. The organization was established in 1995. According to its NTEE Classification (A33) the organization is classified as: Printing & Publishing, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Association For Research And Enlightenment Inc employed 83 individuals. This organization is a parent organization of an affiliated group for tax-exemption purposes. Association For Research And Enlightenment Inc is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2023, Association For Research And Enlightenment Inc generated $9.4m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 8 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 3.7% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $6.9m during the year ending 12/2023. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE MISSION OF ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT (A.R.E.) IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFOUND PERSONAL CHANGE IN BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT THROUGH THE WISDOM FOUND IN THE EDGAR CAYCE MATERIAL.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: HEADQUARTER AND FIELD CONFERENCES PROVIDE ORGANIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS BASED ON AND RELATED TO THE EDGAR CAYCE TOPICS AND TEACHINGS. DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS, ALL OF OUR EVENTS WERE HELD VIRTUALLY THOUGH JUNE. FROM JULY ONWARD, IN-PERSON EVENTS RETURNED TO OUR CAMPUS AND ALL CONFERENCES GOING FORWARD WERE "HYBRIDS" OFFERING A CONCURRENT VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE. THE VIRTUAL-ONLY PROGRAM SERIES CREATED DURING THE PANDEMIC CONTINUED IN ADDITION TO THE HEADQUARTERS PROGRAMS. WE CONDUCTED 39 VIRTUAL AND HYBRID EVENTS AND TRAININGS IN VARIOUS PLATFORMS AND LENGTHS, WITH 1,393 ATTENDEES FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE GLOBE.ON-SITE BOOKSTORE: PROMOTES AND SELLS A.R.E. PRESS PUBLICATIONS, RELATED OUTSIDE PUBLICATIONS, AND PERIPHERAL ITEMS. THIS SALES VENUE IS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, VISITORS AND SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING CONFEREES, MASSAGE THERAPY STUDENTS, AND SPIRITUAL / HEALTH SEEKERS TO ASSIST THEM IN IMPROVING THEIR LIVES PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY.PRISON OUTREACH: PROVIDES PRISONERS AND PRISON LIBRARIES WITH FREE BOOKS BASED ON THE EDGAR CAYCE MATERIAL AND A PRISON "PEN PAL" PROGRAM, ASSISTING INMATES WITH CONCEPTS AND QUESTIONS IN THE EDGAR CAYCE MATERIAL.PRAYER & MEDITATION SERVICES: SERVES AS BOTH A RESOURCE CENTER AND A WELL-NETWORKED INTERNATIONAL PRAYER SERVICE. OUR MONTHLY INTERNATIONAL PRAYER SERVICE INCLUDES AN INSPIRATIONAL PRAYER LETTER (ELECTRONIC OR MAILED TO ALMOST 3,000 PEOPLE WHO PRAY FOR THOSE ON THE LIST), WHICH IS PROMOTED TO HELP THOSE IN NEED: WWW.WORLDPRAYERGROUP.ORG. EACH YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 36,000 PRAYER PARTICIPANTS ARE SERVED.STUDY GROUPS/SPIRITUAL GROWTH GROUPS: SERVE AS A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE NUMEROUS STUDY GROUPS AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH GROUPS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD. THE WORLDWIDE TOTAL OF ECUMENICAL STUDY GROUPS STANDS AT OVER 400 INCLUDING OVER 100 GROUPS LOCATED IN PENITENTIARIES AROUND THE U.S. IN 2021, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUED TO KEEP MANY OF THESE GROUPS ONLINE. THIS DEPARTMENT AIDS IN THE START-UPS OF NEW GROUPS, DISSEMINATES THE APPROPRIATE CAYCE MATERIAL (BOOKS, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.) AND STUDY GROUP GUIDELINES, RESPONDS TO VARIOUS GROUPS' INQUIRIES, AND RESOLVES ISSUES THAT ARISE WITH THE VARIOUS STUDY GROUP OPERATIONS.OUTREACH: ALTHOUGH THE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE EDGAR CAYCE WORK IS LOCATED IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, THE A.R.E. COMMUNITY IS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF INDIVIDUALS WHO OFFER CONFERENCES, EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, SERVICE PROJECTS, OUTREACH AND FELLOWSHIP AROUND THE WORLD. IN ADDITION TO THE VIRGINIA BEACH HEADQUARTERS, VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES ARE MANAGED BY AREA TEAMS COMPRISED OF MORE THAN 350 VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT THE USA. THERE ARE ALSO "EDGAR CAYCE CENTERS" IN MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES AND OVER 100 VOLUNTEER CONTACTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THIS OUTREACH PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS AROUND THE WORLD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH LOCAL A.R.E. REPRESENTATIVES AND CAYCE ENTHUSIASTS, TAKE PART IN ECUMENICAL SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUPS, ATTEND EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND HEAR HOW THE CAYCE INFORMATION CONTINUES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY. IN ADDITION TO INTERNATIONAL STUDY GROUPS AND ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THE A.R.E. COMMUNITY OFFERS A WEALTH OF FREE INFORMATION ON A VARIETY OF WEBSITES, ONGOING SERVICE PROJECTS, SUCH AS PRISON OUTREACH, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND CLASSES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE FOUND AT: WWW.EDGARCAYCE.ORG.A.R.E. TOURS: FOR OVER 50 YEARS, A.R.E. HAS BEEN PROVIDING A UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE CAYCE INFORMATION. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING ORGANIZATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUND-RAISING AND DEVELOPMENT WITH INDIVIDUAL TRAVELERS, EACH TOUR PRESENTS KNOWLEDGEABLE SPEAKERS AND RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM THE EDGAR CAYCE READINGS, ALONG WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF VISITING SPECIAL AREAS OF THE GLOBE WITH HISTORICAL, SPIRITUAL, OR METAPHYSICAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT ARE TIED TO UNIQUE INSIGHTS FOUND IN THE CAYCE READINGS. IN ADDITION, THE TOUR PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH THE CHANCE TO MEET WITH AND GET TO KNOW LIKEMINDED FELLOW TRAVELERS WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEDITATE DAILY AND WORK ON DREAMS TOGETHER. IN 2023 WE SERVED 26 TRAVELERS ON OUR INTERNATIONAL TOUR TO SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND FRANCE.ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH: COORDINATES ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPEDITIONS IN SEARCH OF (AND FINDING EVIDENCE OF) ANCIENT CULTURES THAT ARE MENTIONED IN THE CAYCE DISCOURSES, AND DISSEMINATING SIMILAR INFORMATION FROM LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH OUR MEMBER MATERIALS AND AT OUR ANNUAL ANCIENT MYSTERIES CONFERENCE. METAPHYSICAL LIBRARY: THE A.R.E. LIBRARY IS A LIVING MEMORIAL TO THE LIFE AND WORK OF EDGAR CAYCE, WHOSE MORE THAN 14,000 PSYCHIC READINGS FORM THE CORE OF THE COLLECTION. IN ADDITION TO THE CAYCE READINGS, THE LIBRARY HOUSES ONE OF THE LARGEST COLLECTIONS IN THE WORLD MORE THAN 80,000 VOLUMES SPECIALIZING IN THE FIELDS OF METAPHYSICS, PARAPSYCHOLOGY, COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS STUDIES, HOLISTIC HEALTH, ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS, AND PSYCHOLOGY AS WELL AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS OF EDGAR CAYCE BOOKS. OUR LIBRARY HOUSES THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF METAPHYSICAL BOOKS, CDS, DVDS, AND PERIODICALS IN NORTH AMERICA AND SOME OF THE LARGEST COLLECTIONS IN THE WORLD, INCLUDING THE EDGERTON SYKES COLLECTION (ATLANTIS), THE ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS COLLECTION (PSYCHIC EXPERIENCES), AS WELL AS VERBATIM COPIES OF THE COMPLETE EDGAR CAYCE READINGS. BOOKS AND CIRCULATING FILES MAY BE CHECKED OUT TO MEMBERS OF EDGAR CAYCE'S A.R.E., STUDENTS OF ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY OR THE CAYCE/REILLY SCHOOL OF MASSAGE. MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO A DIGITAL COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS.CAYCE/REILLY SCHOOL OF MASSAGE: THE CAYCE/REILLY SCHOOL OF MASSAGE OFFERS A QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION IN BOTH THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MASSAGE BASED ON THE HOLISTIC PRINCIPLES OF THE EDGAR CAYCE READINGS AND IN THE SPIRIT OF DR. HAROLD J. REILLY. STUDENTS OF THE CAYCE/REILLY SCHOOL EXPERIENCE THE CONVERGENCE OF LEADING-EDGE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION WITH THE CONCEPTS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF THE HOLISTIC HEALING ARTS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE HEALTH PHILOSOPHIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED IN THE EDGAR CAYCE READINGS. THE SCHOOL ALSO OFFERS CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES FOR ALREADY LICENSED/CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPISTS. ALL CLASSES OFFERED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE HEALTH AND HOLISTIC PRINCIPLES OF BOTH THE CAYCE/REILLY SCHOOL AND THE A.R.E. IN 2023 THE SCHOOL'S OPERATIONS AND TRAINING PROVIDED EDUCATION TO 32 STUDENTS.
PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION: PROMOTES AND SELLS A.R.E. PRESS PUBLICATIONS. THIS SALES VENUE IS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, AND SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING CONFEREES, STUDENTS, AND SPIRITUAL / HEALTH SEEKERS TO ASSIST THEM IN IMPROVING THEIR LIVES PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY. THIS VENUE PROMOTES AND REACHES OUTSIDE OF THE LOCAL VIRGINIA BEACH DEMOGRAPHICS TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SEEKERS. IN-HOUSE PUBLICATIONS: A.R.E. PRESS PUBLISHES AND DISTRIBUTES BOOKS AND MEDIA TO WHOLESALE AND RETAIL BOOKSTORES THAT ARE BASED ON AND RELATED TO THE EDGAR CAYCE TOPICS AND TEACHINGS. CERTAIN PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO OFFERED IN SPANISH. ALL OF A.R.E. PRESS PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AS EBOOKS AND NUMEROUS TITLES ARE AVAILABLE AS AUDIOBOOKS.
HEALTH AND SPA SERVICES: HEALTH AND SPA SERVICES PROVIDES AND ADMINISTERS THE HEALTH CARE MODALITIES RECOMMENDED IN THE EDGAR CAYCE READINGS WHILE ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS IN UTILIZING THEIR OWN INNATE HEALING ABILITIES. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE APPLICATION OF THE EDGAR CAYCE HEALTH READINGS IN A RESPONSIBLE, CARING AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER SUCH THAT THESE SERVICES ALIGN WITH BOTH THE SPIRIT AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE READINGS. THE FOLLOWING SERVICES WERE PROVIDED: BODYWORK (INCLUDING MASSAGE AND ACUPRESSURE), HYDROTHERAPY (INCLUDING COLONICS AND STEAMS), CHIROPRACTIC, ACUPRESSURE, HYPNOTHERAPY, COUNSELING AND ENERGYWORK. THE HEALTH CENTER AND SPA PROVIDED CARE TO A TOTAL OF 7,223 IN SERVICES FOR THE YEAR OF 2023.
MEMBERSHIPS: A.R.E.'S TOTAL MEMBERSHIP WAS 13,252 AT 12/31/23. SOME OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2023 INCLUDED: WE PROVIDED A FREE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP (SCHOLARSHIPS) TO 275 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN 2023.WEBSITE:IN 2023, EDGARCAYCE.ORG HAD 707,440 VISITORS WITH 2,259,839 PAGEVIEWS.TOP PAGES BY VIEWS INCLUDED THE EDGAR CAYCE'S ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT HOMEPAGE, A.R.E. HEALTH CENTER AND SPA, EXCLUSIVE MEMBER SECTION, EDGAR CAYCE'S LIFE, EVENTS, EDGAR CAYCE'S READINGS, THERAPIES: CASTOR OIL PACKS, AKASHIC RECORDS, AND THE EDGAR CAYCE READINGS.TOP COUNTRIES U.S., CANADA, ENGLAND, AUSTRALIA, AND INDIA.WEBSITE VISITORS CAME PRIMARILY FROM THE U.S.HERE ARE SOME STATS FOR OUR WEBSITE: TOP COUNTRIES PRODUCING TRAFFIC: (SESSIONS/USERS)1. UNITED STATES 861,998/552,3372. CANADA 57,921/37,3523. ENGLAND 29,214/20,0974. AUSTRALIA 21,731/15,3385. INDIA 6,822/5,0156. GERMANY 6,158/4,5447. IRELAND 5,835/4,238 8. NETHERLANDS 5,301/3,686 9. FRANCE 5,513/3,362 10. JAPAN 4,744/3,035 TOP SOURCES OF TRAFFIC INCLUDED (IN ORDER OF RANKING): ORGANICDIRECTSOCIALREFERRALPAID USER DEVICES WERE SPLIT INTO THESE THREE CATEGORIES: 63.2% MOBILE 32.8% DESKTOP 4.0% TABLET REFLECTIONS PODCAST HAD A TOTAL OF 31,375 DOWNLOADS IN 2023. OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HAD A TOTAL OF 202,000 LIKES IN 2023 AND A TOTAL OF 200,000 FOLLOWERS.OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE HAD 24,794 FOLLOWERS IN 2023.OUR TIKTOK CHANNEL HAS 613 FOLLOWERS AND 8,079 LIKES.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Doug Knueven Trustee, Board Chair | Trustee | 1.25 | $0 |
Marianne Splenda Trustee, Board Vice Chair | Trustee | 1.25 | $0 |
Gorgiana Alonzo Through June 2023 Trustee | Trustee | 1.25 | $0 |
Bernie Coomes Trustee | Trustee | 1.25 | $0 |
Virdella Denwiddie Through June 202 Trustee | Trustee | 1.25 | $0 |
Donita M King Trustee | Trustee | 1.25 | $0 |
Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
---|---|---|
Lsc Communications Printing And Book Binding | 12/30/23 | $140,595 |
Fellowship Travel International Travel Insurance And Saas | 12/30/23 | $172,531 |
Salesforcecom Inc Sales As A Service, Saas | 12/30/23 | $159,317 |
Aptify Washington Dc Software Hosting | 12/30/23 | $138,212 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $0 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $0 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $6,175,244 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $4,345 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $6,175,244 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $2,088,132 |
Investment income | $172,313 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $18,872 |
Net Rental Income | $41,340 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $503,561 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $386,852 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $9,386,314 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $648,129 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $232,008 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $1,801,092 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
Other employee benefits | $242,114 |
Payroll taxes | $174,907 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $42,509 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $50,600 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $1,390,358 |
Advertising and promotion | $120,122 |
Office expenses | $543,582 |
Information technology | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $103,158 |
Travel | $42,113 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
Interest | $200,364 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $368,991 |
Insurance | $355,390 |
All other expenses | $38,769 |
Total functional expenses | $6,878,438 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $1,462,954 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $0 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $417,576 |
Accounts receivable, net | $192,795 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $242,763 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $287,251 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $4,818,088 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $9,128,552 |
Investments—other securities | $1,847,180 |
Investments—program-related | $974,218 |
Intangible assets | $80,405 |
Other assets | $559,795 |
Total assets | $20,011,577 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $416,269 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $933,619 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $1,360,556 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $753,889 |
Total liabilities | $3,464,333 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $4,817,205 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $11,730,039 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $20,011,577 |