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The Bala House

EIN 23-1720026 · Bala Cynwyd, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AT BALA HOUSE MONTESSORI, YOUNG CHILDREN DISCOVER THEMSELVES AS CREATIVE, INDEPENDENT LEARNERS IN A DIVERSE, SUPPORTIVE MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
27
Highest pay
$142,757, school direc

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. SCHOOL- THE BALA HOUSE PROVIDES MONTESSORI CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES THREE TO SIX. THERE ARE FOUR MIXED AGE PRESCHOOL CLASSES AND TWO KINDERGARTEN CLASSES. THERE IS AN EARLY MORNING AND AFTERNOON EXTENDED CARE PROGRAM THAT COMBINES MANY OF THE PRACTICAL LIFE EXPERIENCES FOUND IN THE MORNING MONTESSORI CLASSROOMS, WITH OUTDOOR PLAY, THEME-BASED LEARNING PROJECTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVE AND IMAGINARY PLAY. THE SCHOOL ALSO PROVIDED A SUPPLEMENTAL CARE PROGRAM.
  2. $58,271 spent. CAMP-THE SUMMER CAMP ENRICHMENT PROGRAM RUNS FOR 8 WEEKS, WHICH PROVIDES ALL CAMPERS A CONTINUITY OF MONTESSORI FUNDAMENTALS PRACTICED IN THE SCHOOL PROGRAMS. ALSO OFFERED ARE MOVEMENT AND ART CLASSESS.
  3. $39,705 spent. SPECIAL PROGRAMS/OTHERS-MUSIC, ART AND MOVEMENT ARE INTEGRAL TO THE DAILY SESSIONS, AND ARE SUPPLEMENTED WITH SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION. THESE CLASSES, WHICH ARE TAUGHT BY SPECIALISTS, INCLUDE SINGING AND RHYTHM, EXPERIENCE WITH VARIOUS ART MEDIA, SUCH AS CLAY AND COLLAGE, AND MOVEMENT EDUCATION.
  4. $262,057 spent. N/A

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 April 1978.

    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.