Because International Corp
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To alleviate poverty by distributing impact products and supporting product-focused entreprenuers.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 4.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $126,060, president
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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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)
- $599,354 spent. The Shoes That Grows: Because International is committed to the UN's sustainable development goal 1: end poverty in all forms everywhere. We believe this starts with extreme poverty helping individuals and families who are living below the 1.90 threshold. Physical products play an important role in meeting immediate needs and creating long-term opportunities for empowerment. When we talk about using physical products as solutions, we're referring to the entire life cycle of the product - from ideation to creation, from manufacturing to distribution, from providing relief to the end user while providing jobs and opportunity to those involved in each stage of the product lifecycle. Because International began with a simple idea: durable, growing footwear developed for kids struggling to always have a pair of shoes that fit. In addition to distributing footwear to kids around the world, we've been committed to a production and distribution model that creates opportunities for empowerment along the way. 2024 marked a year of increased shoe distributions and continued research and development. We remained committed to distributing the best footwear in the world for kids living in poverty. We exceeded our goal of distributing 40,000 pairs of shoes - distributing a total of 41,715. This came about through new partnerships along with running a number of significant campaigns. On the shoe development front, we began designing a completely new version of our shoe late in the year. This new design was released in 2024. The shoe that grows continues to provide relief for kids and families impacted by injuries, parasites, and soil borne diseases simply because they lack adequate footwear.
- $394,851 spent. Accelerator: As an organization, our mission is to use products as solutions to alleviate poverty by meeting immediate needs and creating opportunities for empowerment. One of the ways we are doing this is through the because accelerator, a business accelerator designed to take ideas for innovative products like the shoe that grows to the next level. As we experienced continued success with the shoe that grows, we began connecting with and being contacted by aspiring entrepreneurs who had their own ideas for product solutions that also aimed to solve a social need. After informally helping a handful of them with their ideas and businesses, we realized that instead of trying to come up with more of our own ideas for product solutions, we could better achieve our mission by coming alongside others with their own product ideas. It was at that point we decided to formally create the Because Accelerator - a program focused on providing coaching, training, networking, and funding opportunities for social entrepreneurs with product-based ideas and businesses.In 2024, we continued to refine and develop the services provided to our entrepreneur partners while also measuring and celebrating their success as they grow their businesses, create jobs and increase their impact. As in past years, a new cohort of 23 entrepreneurs began and completed the program. We also focused on creating new programming for graduates from prior years. Specifically, we launched virtual networking groups, allowing entrepreneurs the opportunity to better connect with fellow alumni of the program and discuss issues and opportunities they are facing in their businesses. We also announced a partnership with the alternative board, expanding the professional mentoring services that we offer. New funding opportunities were also rolled out.
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
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 2024.
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 April 2009.
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.