Build a Miracle
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Build a miracle provides safe, dignified homes to impoverished families in Tijuana, Mexico. In addition, Build A Miracle provides numerous educational opportunities including tutoring, vocational training, scholarships, computer labs and an adult education program.
- Income
- $2.3 million
- Spending
- $2.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 8.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 2,100
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
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1597% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 251 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.
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 (3)
- $946,810 spent. In 2023 Build A Miracle completed 32 new homes for impoverished families, who also participate in education programs. Full BAM homes are 540 sq ft with 3 bedrooms, indoor plumbing, kitchen, bathroom and living/dining room. They earn their homes with a minimum of 500 hours of community service but most remain involved in our programs indefinitely both improving their own lives and helping others. The homes are built during build days when U.S. and local volunteers mix concrete, hammer nails and paint, and during the work week by experienced, paid builders. The Dads Program, made up of men on the wait list for homes and many who already live in BAM homes, helps extremely impoverished families who live in shacks and do not have land rights so do not qualify for a full home. They make their dwellings safe, pour concrete floors, reinforce walls, replace tarps with real roofing, and build septic tanks. This program has an enormous impact on the lives of the people served and the men themselves. 289 Dads participated in 2023.
- $988,893 spent. Our goal is to provide every family that needs it, a path out of the vulnerable class helping the next generation to be able to afford their own home and our academic, scholarship, trade and adult education programs are geared to make that possible, free of charge, to vulnerable Tijuana residents whether they are living in a BAM home or not. EDUCATION During 2023 we provided scholarships to 97 college and 115 HS students, with 60 total college grads to date. The Community Center, offers, free of charge, accredited adult elem., middle and HS, tutoring, counseling, sports, fitness, robotics, nutrition and many more courses over 100 children receive a healthy meal each day that they participate at the center. 750 children attended Summer School at the Community Center in 2023. LITERACY Build A Miracle continues to receive more and more primary and middle school age children unable to attend public school because they are too many years below grade level, many unable to read or write. In 2023 BAM purposefully added remedial classes and began working on a strategy to advance them to grade level before they completely lose the opportunity to receive a formal education. TRADES BUSINESSES in 2024 BAM supported the startup or growth of 45 small businesses and offered training and other support to an additional 104. 68 individuals/families sold BAM Bakery sweet bread in their communities, bringing in income for their families. Hair Cosmetology programs increased in size and scope with 389 participants and the addition of Master Classes given by teachers from around the world.
- $314,351 spent. Other program services Build a miracle provided scholarship assistance to 4 children in Guatemala who lost their father to drowning. Other programs continued and expanded during 2023 include dental and vision care for community members 408 people served who cannot afford them on their own and support for a program that provides education to the largely forgotten children of trash-pickers who live at the municipal dump. The Pandemic-related Direct Relief food and medicine that kept families going, transitioned to helping only helping those unable to return to normal lives and also spawned the Grandparents Program where scholarship recipients visit with and provide interactive programs for the elderly in their communities. 461 people received medical assistance. 39,700 meals were served, 151 elderly people were in Grandparents program which offers Arts and Crafts, Outings, Visits, Haicuts and more. There were 4 psychologists working with 269 individuals or families and 859 workshops for family, psychology, team building and more.
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 February 2002.
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.