Is Bridges Foundation Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent and substantial liabilities exceeding assets across all filing periods, indicating potential solvency issues (e.g., 2023: Assets $90,639, Liabilities $221,191).
Multiple years of deficit spending where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016).
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, limiting full spending efficiency analysis.

Spending Breakdown

How Bridges Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bridges Foundation

Is Bridges Foundation a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Bridges Foundation (EIN: 202796974) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Bridges Foundation a good charity to donate to?

Bridges Foundation has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $938K. Assets: $163K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Bridges Foundation?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Bridges Foundation is 202796974. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Bridges Foundation spend its money?

Bridges Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Bridges Foundation's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Bridges Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 202796974 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Bridges Foundation demonstrates a concerning financial trend with liabilities consistently exceeding assets over the past nine years, indicating potential solvency issues. For instance, in 2023, assets were $90,639 while liabilities stood at $221,191. While the organization has shown significant revenue growth, from $239,280 in 2015 to $635,154 in 2023, this growth has not translated into a stronger balance sheet. The consistent negative net asset position suggests that the organization may be relying heavily on debt or restricted funds, which could pose long-term sustainability challenges.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation, which is a positive indicator for minimizing administrative overhead related to executive pay. The overall expense ratio (expenses/revenue) has fluctuated, with some years showing expenses exceeding revenue (e.g., 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016), suggesting periods of deficit spending. In 2023, expenses were $584,782 against revenues of $635,154, indicating a modest surplus for that year.

Transparency regarding executive compensation is excellent, with 0% reported for officers across all available filings. However, the lack of detailed functional expense data (program, administrative, fundraising) in the provided summary limits a comprehensive assessment of spending efficiency and program focus. The consistent and substantial liabilities relative to assets are a significant concern for financial health and long-term viability.

Verdict: Bridges Foundation shows mixed signals