Passes our checks

Build-A-Bear Foundation Inc

EIN 33-1007188 · Saint Louis, MO

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

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
97% 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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
5 of 25
0 of 11 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$1.6 million spent. HEALTH, WELLNESS AND LITERACY PROGRAM - DONATIONS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS IN HEALTH, WELLNESS AND LITERACY PROGRAMS.
$30,739 spent. ASSOCIATE DISASTER RELIEF - DONATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTING BABW ASSOCIATES IN NEED OF FINANCIAL RELIEF.
ASSOCIATE SCHOLARSHIP - DONATIONS TO BABW ASSOCIATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO APPLIED AND WERE ACCEPTED TO RECEIVE THE SCHOLARSHIPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 September 2003.
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.