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Boston Sparks Association Inc

EIN 04-2850266 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE CANTEEN SUPPORT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS SUCH AS FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE, AND PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL IN BOSTON AND SURROUNDING AREAS AND TO MAINTAIN, PRESERVE AND DISPLAY FIRE MEMORABILIA AT THE BOSTON FIRE MUSEUM ON CONGRESS ST AS WELL AS TO EDUCATE AND INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Income
$220,418
Spending
$191,165
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
10.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
0
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$2,400, treasurer

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

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.5 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 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 47 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $49,302 spent. THE MISSION IS TO OFFER EXPERIENCED REHAB/CANTEEN SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO FIRST RESPONDERS, WHICH INCLUDE FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND VARIOUS OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES. IN 2024, THE REHAB AND CANTEEN TEAM OF 25 VOLUNTEERS RESPONDED TO INCIDENTS LOGGING IN 7800 MAN HOURS ON SCENE.
  2. $108,944 spent. THE MISSION OF THE MUSEUM IS TO PRESERVE AND DISPLAY FIREFIGHTING HISTORY AND MEMORABILIA IN BOSTON AND THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND. THE MUSEUM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO EDUCATE AND INFORM ON FIRE SAFETY TOPICS AND TO SUPPORT THE FIRE SERVICE INDUSTRY IN GENERAL. THE MUSUEM IS COMPLETELY RUN BY VOLUNTEERS. IN 2024, 10 VOLUNTEERS LOGGED 6500 HOURS MAINTAINING EXHIBITS, TOURING VISITORS AND SCHEDULED OPEN HOURS.

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 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 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 July 1986.

    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.