Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Bakerripley

EIN 23-7062976 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BakerRipley's mission is to bring resources, education, and connection to emerging neighborhoods. We work with residents to help them discover the strengths and skills necessary to become productive, self-sufficient individuals.

Income
$635.4 million
Spending
$637.7 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
1,751
Volunteers
2,169
Highest pay
$512,978, president & ceo

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: 52 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 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. $545.9 million spent. BakerRipley Public Sector Solutions (includes Workforce Initiatives and Regional Initiatives) operates 12 of the 27 Career Offices along with the Financial Aid Payment Office for the 13 county Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions System and operates the Child Care Services programs for Coastal Bend, Capital Area, East Texas, and Rural Capital workforce regions. Through Workforce Solutions, 59,220 individuals received employment services and 89,311 individuals received financial aid to support their work and training activities throughout 48 Texas counties. The Veterans Services program served 1,254 veterans and their family members. The Utility Assistance and Weatherization programs served 25,713 individuals including the elderly, disabled, and low-income families with young children. (Continued on Schedule O)Neighborhood Tax Centers served 64,801 individuals.
  2. $50.3 million spent. BakerRipley Choices in Education (includes Head Start and BakerRipley Community Schools) provides opportunities for students (birth to 8th grade) and their parents through an innovative education system that promotes quality, consistency and connection at every juncture of a child's life. Our goal is to ensure that families have access to services that ensure success in the classroom and for the rest of their lives. The Early Head Start/Head Start program provides comprehensive child development in an all-year, full-day format that supports working parents. This program served 7,016 infants through pre-school age children and their 5,310 guardians. The Charter School offers a well-balanced education experience for 2,861 pre-kindergarten through eighth grade children.
  3. $10.5 million spent. BakerRipley Community Based Initiatives (includes Community Initiatives and Economic Initiatives) build on the unique economic and social assets of individuals and their neighborhoods, moving them to self-sufficiency and an improved quality of life. Largely supported by private philanthropic investment, our community and economic-based programs engage and connect individuals to the resources that meet their emerging needs and aspirations. We provide a continuum of services including free tax preparation, family health and education, immigration and citizenship services, small business services, and learning opportunities for neighbors. In 2024, BR served a total of 220,837 individuals. (Continued on Schedule O)More specifically, the adult education programs offered an opportunity for 523 low-income students prepare themselves for the workforce or college through adult basic education, English as a Second Language, and digital literacy courses as well as support services and coaching to improve their persistence and increase their chances of success.
  4. $3.3 million spent. BakerRipley Health & Wellness (includes Health & Wellness Initiatives) offers programs focused on improving physical health and emotional well-being through senior centers and evidence-based health promotion programs. These holistic programs and services impact health, wellness, engagement and connection, helping older adults to remain physically active, maintain a sense of purpose, engage in meaningful relationships with others, and contribute and give back to help others and the community. In 2024, we served a total of 3,676 individuals.

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 April 1970.

    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.