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Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation

EIN 04-2681632 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DORCHESTER BAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ACTS TO BUILD A STRONG, THRIVING, AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN BOSTON'S DORCHESTER NEIGHBORHOODS. WORKING CLOSELY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS AND PARTNERS, WE ACCESS RESOURCES TO:-DEVELOP AND PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP AND RENTAL HOUSING,-CREATE AND SUSTAIN COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND-BUILD COMMUNITY POWER THROUGH ORGANIZING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$7.7 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
19.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
44
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$284,712, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 49 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $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, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $831,344 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES:OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES INCLUDE TENANT ORGANIZING WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER ACTIVE TENANTS TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP AND TACKLE CRITICAL ISSUES. WITHIN OUR ORGANIZING EFFORTS, PROGRAMS ENGAGE YOUTH IN EDUCATION, RECREATION, ORGANIZING, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. OUR SENIOR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING, INDEPENDENCE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF SENIOR CITIZENS THROUGH A RANGE OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES. IT PROVIDES SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND HEALTH-RELATED RESOURCES TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS. OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROVIDES JOB READINESS SERVICES, INCLUDING CAREER COACHING, RESUME ASSISTANCE, INTERVIEW PREP, AND JOB PLACEMENT, WITH A FOCUS ON HIGH-GROWTH SECTORS LIKE GREEN JOBS, HEALTHCARE, AND LIFE SCIENCES. THROUGH TARGETED WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, WE HELP PARTICIPANTS GAIN IN-DEMAND SKILLS AND CONNECT TO QUALITY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $3.7 million spent. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT:PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ACQUIRES, CONSTRUCTS AND REDEVELOPS REAL ESTATE IN OUR SERVICE AREA WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING BLIGHT, IMPROVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD, CREATING AND PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL SPACE THAT PROVIDES JOBS, SERVICES AND PLACES FOR BUSINESSES TO GROW AND THRIVE. IN 2021, WE COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION ON INDIGO BLOCK, WHICH TRANSFORMED A BLIGHTED PROPERTY INTO 9 HOMEOWNERSHIP CONDO UNITS, 80 INCOME-RESTRICTED APARTMENTS, APPROX. 23,000 S.F. OF COMMERCIAL SPACE, AND A PLAYGROUND; THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SURROUNDING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. IN 2022, WE COMPLETED THE HISTORIC REHABILITATION OF THE PIERCE BUILDING, WHICH PRESENTLY HOUSES SEVERAL COMMUNITY NONPROFITS. IN 2024, WE COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION ON 9 LEYLAND, WHICH CONVERTED AN EMPTY LOT INTO 43 NEW UNITS OF AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING.
  3. $643,973 spent. LOAN PROGRAMS:LOAN PROGRAMS PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE PRE-LOAN AND POST-LOAN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS AND BORROWERS. THE BUSINESS LOAN FUND OFFERS DIRECT LOANS FROM $500 TO $250,000 (BOTH DB CAPITAL AND SBA LOANS). DBEDC'S TWO-PRONGED STRATEGIES OF DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AND LENDING TO BUSINESSES REINFORCE EACH OTHER BY CREATING PHYSICAL SPACES FOR BUSINESS AND STRENGTHENING INTERNAL BUSINESS CAPACITY. COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION IS GIVING NEW LIFE TO THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS IN OUR AREA. WE HAVE COMPLETED LOANS TO A WIDE ARRAY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESSES.
  4. $181,532 spent. ASSET MANAGEMENT:ASSET MANAGEMENT FOCUSES ON THE LONG TERM STEWARDSHIP OF THE DBEDC PROPERTIES BY SEEKING OUT PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLICY OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF THE PORTFOLIO AS WELL AS IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE PROPERTIES. AT LEAST 1.1 MILLION DOLLARS WAS SPENT IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PORTFOLIO TO MAKE SURE THE PROPERTIES REMAIN IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE. 100% OF THE PROPERTIES ARE BEING TRACKED ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY SOFTWARE AND ON AVERAGE THE PORTFOLIO HAD A 99% OCCUPANCY RATE. ALL PROPERTIES MET THE DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 November 1980.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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