Back to Basics Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Back to Basics has been enriching the lives of underprivileged elementary school aged children in Palm Beach County for over 40 year. Our mission is to enable children to attend school with Dignity and be ready to learn, by providing NEW Uniforms, Sneakers, Socks and Underwear for children in need.
- Income
- $659,948
- Spending
- $727,386
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 5.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (2)
- $241,883 spent. The Back to Basics Uniform Program provides over 20,000 new school uniforms to elementary and middle school students identified by school administrators as experiencing financial instability or homelessness - circumstances that often contribute to chronic absenteeism. A clean, well-fitting uniform can determine whether a child attends school or stays home out of embarrassment. Teachers consistently report that students who receive uniforms return to class more engaged, more confident, and more willing to participate. In 2025, we provide 22,000 uniforms tops and bottoms to students across 60 schools and 5 outreach programs in Palm Beach County, ensuring children start the school year prepared, confident, and able to focus on learning. These schools serve some of the highest-need student populations in the county, with free/reduced lunch enrollment rates exceeding 70. The Uniform Program is supported primarily
- $483,751 spent. The Back to Basics Angel Program continues to provide the Basics that children need to attend school - NEW Sneakers, Socks, Underwear - and because the program centers around the holidays, we also include a toy in each Angel Gift Bag. For many children, these may be the only gifts they receive. In 2025, we delivered 10,764 Angel gifts, restoring dignity, boosting self-esteem, and helping children return to school after winter break with renewed confidence. The Angel Program relies heavily on community participation from businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals who adopt children each year. Last year, the community adopted over 7,100 children, while Back to Basics provided gifts for the remaining 3,700 children with support from local foundations, which ensure that every child referred to us receives these essential items.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 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.