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Bridges Homeward Inc

EIN 04-2104057 · Cambridge, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 60 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES TO DEVELOP AND NURTURE SAFE, PERMANENT RELATIONSHIPS AND MAXIMIZE INDIVIDUAL GROWTH.

Income
$7.0 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
106
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$201,013, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 60 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $1.8 million spent. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM (DDP) - BRIDGES HOMESWARD PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF INDIVIDUALIZED IN-HOME AND OTHER SUPPORTS TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE RANGE OF PROGRAMS OFFERED SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE FAMILY MEMBER WITH A DISABILITY CAN BE MAINTAINED WITHIN THEIR HOME AND FAMILY SETTING, AND THAT THE INDIVIDUAL CAN MAXIMIZE HIS OR HER POTENTIAL TO FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION IS THE DDS FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER FOR CHARLES RIVER WEST CATCHMENT AREA WHICH OFFERS INFORMATION & REFERRAL, PARENT GROUPS, YOUNG ADULT GROUPS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO ALL DDS CLIENTS LIVING IN OUR CATCHMENT AREA. IN TOTAL, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT, SKILLS TRAINERS, AND OTHER SUPPORT TO OVER 800 INDIVIDUALS IN FY25.
  2. $652,596 spent. YOUNG ADULT SUPPORTED LIVING (YASL) - BRIDGES HOMEWARD PROVIDES SERVICES FOR TRANSITION AGE YOUTH, THOSE AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AN INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED ONE-ON-ONE PLANNING FOR INDEPENDENCE. EACH APARTMENT PROVIDES A SAFE PLACE FOR A YOUNG ADULT TO LIVE WHILE GOING TO SCHOOL, WORKING AND STRENGTHENING LIFE LONG PERMANENT CONNECTIONS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. COMPREHENSIVE FOSTER CARE (CFC) - BRIDGES HOMEWARD PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE TO CHILDREN UP TO AGE 21 WHO HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF). OUR TEAM OF FOSTER PARENTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDES SPECIALIZED, ROUND THE CLOCK CARE, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THE CHILDREN. THE TEAM SUPPORTS EACH CHILD'S SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION INTO PERMANENT PLACEMENT: REUNIFICATION, GUARDIANSHIP, KINSHIP, ADOPTION OR YOUNG ADULT SUPPORTED LIVING. FOSTER CHILDREN RECEIVE WEEKLY VISITS FROM A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER IN THEIR FOSTER HOME; FOSTER PARENTS TRAINING CONTINUES TO BE A PRIMARY FOCUS INCLUDING SESSIONS FOR NEW APPLICANTS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUOUSLY SEEKS NEW FOSTER HOMES. THE INTENT OF WHICH IS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HOMES FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN BROUGHT INTO DCF CARE EACH YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 October 1942.

    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.