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The Michael Bolton Charities Inc

EIN 06-1367576 · Wallingford, CT

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 53 cents.

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

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1993, THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN IMPACTED BY THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE THROUGH INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS THAT WORK TO END THESE TRAGIC CYCLES OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE.

Income
$26,689
Spending
$230,560
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
26.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 70%
Employees
1
Volunteers
5

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 764% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 53 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 92% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 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. $153,518 spent. FOR CLOSE TO THIRTY YEARS, MICHAEL BOLTON'S ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AND PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP HAS CHARACTERIZED THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES INSISTENT COMMITMENT TO RESPOND TO ISSUES WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT CHILDREN AND WOMEN AT RISK. THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES HAS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PURSUING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO IMMENSE CHALLENGES AND COMPELLING NEEDS. TODAY, THAT COMMITMENT CONTINUES WITH BOLD RESEARCH-BASED INITIATIVES THAT ARE HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL AND ENDURING DIFFERENCE IN INDIVIDUAL LIVES. IN 2015, THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES LAUNCHED A PIONEERING, ONE-OF-A-KIND PROGRAM: BEYOND TRAUMA: YOUTH MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM WHICH SERVES STUDENTS EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA.
  2. $30,453 spent. FOR CLOSE TO THIRTY YEARS, MICHAEL BOLTON'S ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AND PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP HAS CHARACTERIZED THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES INSISTENT COMMITMENT TO RESPOND TO ISSUES WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT CHILDREN AND WOMEN AT RISK. THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES HAS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PURSUING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO IMMENSE CHALLENGES AND COMPELLING NEEDS. TODAY, THAT COMMITMENT CONTINUES WITH BOLD RESEARCH-BASED INITIATIVES THAT ARE HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL AND ENDURING DIFFERENCE IN INDIVIDUAL LIVES. IN 2015, THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES LAUNCHED A PIONEERING, ONE-OF-A-KIND PROGRAM: BEYOND TRAUMA: YOUTH MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM WHICH SERVES STUDENTS EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA.
  3. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: ESTABLISHED BY MICHAEL BOLTON AS AN INSTRUMENT OF COMPASSION AND ACTION, THE MBC ENVISIONS A WORLD FREE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: THE BEYOND TRAUMA: YOUTH MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH WHICH SHOWED THAT HIGHLY PERSONALIZED MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAMS HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE LIFE-CHANGING IMPACTS AND ARE A POWERFUL AND CRITICAL TOOL IN THE HEALING PROCESS. THE PROGRAM IS HOUSED IN AN ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW HAVEN, CT AND A MIDDLE SCHOOL IN NEW LONDON, CT.
  4. FOR CLOSE TO THIRTY YEARS, MICHAEL BOLTON'S ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AND PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP HAS CHARACTERIZED THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES INSISTENT COMMITMENT TO RESPOND TO ISSUES WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT CHILDREN AND WOMEN AT RISK. THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES HAS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PURSUING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO IMMENSE CHALLENGES AND COMPELLING NEEDS. TODAY, THAT COMMITMENT CONTINUES WITH BOLD RESEARCH-BASED INITIATIVES THAT ARE HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL AND ENDURING DIFFERENCE IN INDIVIDUAL LIVES. IN 2015, THE MICHAEL BOLTON CHARITIES LAUNCHED A PIONEERING, ONE-OF-A-KIND PROGRAM: BEYOND TRAUMA: YOUTH MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM WHICH SERVES STUDENTS EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of December 31, 2005. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 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.