Bear Be a Resource for Cps Kids
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $4.1 million
- Spending
- $4.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 3,286
- Highest pay
- $122,811, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 29 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 September 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)
- $1.8 million spent. "BEAR NECESSITIES" IS THE GIVING PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH EMERGENCY SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED TO ANY CHILD UNDER THE CARE OF HARRIS COUNTY CPS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE REMOVED FROM UNSAFE HOMES. CPS CASEWORKERS OBTAIN EMERGENCY ITEMS SUCH AS CLOTHING, DIAPERS, FOOD, HYGIENE ITEMS, AND SHOES FROM THE "BEAR ROOMS AND BEAR'S WAREHOUSE IN HOUSTON. BEAR ROOM INVENTORY IS FUNDED BY FOUNDATIONS, FAMILY, AND CORPORATE GRANTS, AS WELL AS CASH AND IN-KIND GIFTS FROM INDIVIDUALS. BEAR EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS STAFF THE BEAR ROOMS. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM RECEIVED THE HELP OF THE 1,137 VOLUNTEERS AND SERVED 45,600 CHILDREN.
- $740,596 spent. "BEARING GIFTS" IS AN ANNUAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES TOYS AND GIFTS TO ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF CPS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. 29.200 CHILDREN RECEIVED GIFTS AND TOYS IN DECEMBER 2024. CASEWORKERS SUBMIT WISH LISTS FOR THE CPS CHILDREN TO BEAR STAFF. OVER 1,148 VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED BEAR IN 2024 BY SORTING, BOXING, AND WRAPPING GIFTS. FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE FROM FOUNDATIONS, INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATE, CHURCH GROUPS, AND IN-KIND DONATIONS.
- $508,943 spent. "HEART GALLERY" UTILIZES THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY TO CAPTURE THE INDIVIDUALITY AND DIGNITY OF CHILDREN LIVING IN FOSTER CARE AND IS DESIGNED TO FIND FOREVER FAMILIES FOR THESE CHILDREN. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM RECEIVED THE HELP OF 3 VOLUNTEERS AND SERVED 150 CHILDREN.
- IN ADDITION TO THE THREE PROGRAMS LISTED IN FORM 990, PART III, LINES 4A-C, "BACK-TO-SCHOOL" IS AN ANNUAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SCHOOL SUPPLIES, UNIFORMS, AND BACK PACKS TO CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF CPS IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN 2024, THIS PROGRAM SERVED 17,900 CPS CHILDREN WITH ESSENTIAL ITEMS NEEDED TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY CORPORATE GRANTS, FOUNDATIONS, INDIVIDUALS AND IN-KIND DONATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 998 VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED WITH THIS PROGRAM IN 2024.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.