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Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay Inc

EIN 04-2789926 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 4% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

TO COMBAT COMMUNITY DETERIORATION IN THE BACK BAY NEIGHBORHOOD OF BOSTON, TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY OF THE BACK BAY, AND TO FURTHER THE RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER OF THE BACK BAY.

Income
$194,579
Spending
$181,611
Spent on programs
4%
Reserves
76.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
1
Volunteers
125

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 76.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    4% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    36 of 36 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, 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. $5,418 spent. MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETINGS - NABB EDUCATES ITS MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH MEETINGS, EMAILS, WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND MONTHLY BULLETINS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT MAY AFFECT THE ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY OF THE BACK BAY AND/OR ITS RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE NEW CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND BUILDING REPAIR PROJECTS, AS WELL AS NEW RESTAURANTS AND OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. NABB HAS REGULAR MEETINGS OF ITS ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT & TRANSPORTATION, AND LICENSING & BUILDING USE COMMITTEES WHERE PROPONENTS ARE INVITED TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THEIR PLANS. NABB ALSO PARTICIPATES IN HEARINGS BEFORE THE BACK BAY ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION, THE BOSTON LICENSING BOARD, THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC BODIES WHERE IT PROVIDES COMMUNITY INPUT REGARDING SUCH ACTIVITIES. NABB ALSO HOLDS NEIGHBORHOOD FORUMS AND AN ANNUAL MEETING OF ITS MEMBERS WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE INVITED TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO EDUCATE NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS ABOUT MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE. MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETINGS - NABB EDUCATES ITS MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH MEETINGS, EMAILS, WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND MONTHLY BULLETINS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT MAY AFFECT THE ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY OF THE BACK BAY AND/OR ITS RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE NEW CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND BUILDING REPAIR PROJECTS, AS WELL AS NEW RESTAURANTS AND OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. NABB HAS REGULAR MEETINGS OF ITS ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT & TRANSPORTATION, AND LICENSING & BUILDING USE COMMITTEES WHERE PROPONENTS ARE INVITED TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THEIR PLANS. NABB ALSO PARTICIPATES IN HEARINGS BEFORE THE BACK BAY ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION, THE BOSTON LICENSING BOARD, THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC BODIES WHERE IT PROVIDES COMMUNITY INPUT REGARDING SUCH ACTIVITIES. NABB ALSO HOLDS NEIGHBORHOOD FORUMS AND AN ANNUAL MEETING OF ITS MEMBERS WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE INVITED TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO EDUCATE NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS ABOUT MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE.
  2. $1,000 spent. COMMONWEALTH AVENUE MALL MAINTENANCE - NABB MAKES DONATIONS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE PUBLIC GARDEN, ANOTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, FOR THE IMPROVEMENT, PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AVENUE MALL. EXPENDITURES FOR THE MALL ARE MADE AS AUTHORIZED OR RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMONWEALTH AVENUE MALL COMMITTEE. ONE-HALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE APPOINTED BY NABB AND THE OTHER HALF ARE APPOINTED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE PUBIC GARDEN.
  3. HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE - NABB HAS A HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE (HTF) THAT WORKS TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF HOMELESSNESS IN BOSTON AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. THE NABB HTF PRODUCES FREE EDUCATIONAL FORUMS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND HAS FORMED COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO PREVENT AND REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN BOSTON AND THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2026, 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 May 2026.

    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 June 1983.

    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.

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.