Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Burten Bell Carr Development Inc

EIN 34-1657533 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak17 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BBC'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER CITIZENS, AND REVITALIZE BLIGHTED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
-38.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
18

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 17 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 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 (5)
  1. $3.5 million spent. CREATED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION ACTIVITIES IN WARD 5 OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND. IN 30 YEARS OF EXISTENCE, BBC PRIMARILY FOCUSED ITS EFFORTS ON NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AND RESTORING THE RESIDENTIAL FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY BY FACILITATING A VARIETY OF HOUSING PROJECTS AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN THE CENTRAL COMMUNITY. WE EVOLVED INTO A FULL SERVICE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SERVING THE CENTRAL AND LOWER KINSMAN NEIGHBORHOODS. ADDITIONAL NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE NOW SUPPORT. BUCKEYE-SHAKER SQUARE AND BUCKEYE-WOODLAND NEIGHBORHOODS.
  2. IN 30 YEARS WE HAVE SEEN INDICATORS, SUCH AS LOW FORECLOSURE RATES, PURPOSEFUL RE-USE OF LARGE TRACTS OF DESOLATE LAND AND THE SUCCESSFUL RENTAL OF RETAIL SPACES WITHIN ONCE INFAMOUS CRIME-INFESTED AREAS, DEMONSTRATES OUR EFFECTIVENESS AT CHARTING THE PATH OF NEIGHBORHOOD RECOVERY WITHIN THE MOST CHALLENGED NEIGHBORHOODS OF CLEVELAND. WITH SUCH PROVEN SUCCESS WE ARE POISED TO CULTIVATE A NEW THRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD.
  3. BBC IS COMPRISED OF A DYNAMIC STAFF OF SEVENTEEN HIGHLY DEDICATED AND ACCOMPLISHED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS. JOY JOHNSON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SINCE MAY 2020, JOINED THE ORGANIZATION IN 2002. MS. JOHNSON CONTINUES TO ENSURE THAT THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF BBC PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS REMAIN CONSISTENT AND SUSTAINABLE. FOURTEEN STAFF MEMBERS SERVE IN A FULL-TIME CAPACITY, EIGHT (8) OF WHICH HAVE EARNED A MASTER'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, ARCHITECTURE, OR SOCIAL WORK. FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR AN AVERAGE OF FIVE YEARS AND HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FIELD FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS ON AVERAGE. BBCS THREE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES EMPLOYS ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS, ALL OF WHOM WERE UNEMPLOYED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS PRIOR TO WORKING FOR BBC SUBSIDIARIES. BBC IS COMPRISED OF A DYNAMIC STAFF OF SEVENTEEN HIGHLY DEDICATED AND ACCOMPLISHED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS. JOY JOHNSON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SINCE MAY 2020, JOINED THE ORGANIZATION IN 2002. MS. JOHNSON CONTINUES TO ENSURE THAT THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF BBC PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS REMAIN CONSISTENT AND SUSTAINABLE. FOURTEEN STAFF MEMBERS SERVE IN A FULL-TIME CAPACITY, EIGHT (8) OF WHICH HAVE EARNED A MASTER'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, ARCHITECTURE, OR SOCIAL WORK. FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR AN AVERAGE OF FIVE YEARS AND HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FIELD FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS ON AVERAGE. BBCS THREE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES EMPLOYS ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS, ALL OF WHOM WERE UNEMPLOYED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS PRIOR TO WORKING FOR BBC SUBSIDIARIES.
  4. DURING THE 2021 FISCAL YEAR, BBC CONTINUED TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC. THE BOARD AND STAFF REMAIN VIGILANT TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO NAVIGATE THESE TUMULTUOUS TIMES. WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE OVER 4,000 COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WITH WEEKLY DINNERS, FRESH PRODUCE, AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. BBC ALSO PROVIDED RESIDENTS WITH RENTAL SUPPORT, GROCERIES FOR HOUSEHOLDS, AND SUPPORT WITH UTILITY BILLS. WE SUPPORTED 19 BUSINESS WITH RENTAL OR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THEY REMAIN VIABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE COMPLETED THE FINANCING FOR COLFAX FAMILY HOMES, 36 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES THAT WILL CREATE LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING OPTIONS IN THE KINSMAN NEIGHBORHOOD. THESE HOMES WILL CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE OF THE STREET AND COMMUNITY AS WE IMPLEMENT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MASTER PLAN. OTHER KEY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDE: "BOXSPOT SMALL BUSINESS VENTURE "HEALTH & WELLNESS EDUCATION FOR YOUTH & ADULTS HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE "PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON THE ARTS "RETAIL DEVELOPMENT "HOUSING DEVELOPMENT & OCCUPANCY "GREENSPACE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE FISCAL AGENT SERVICES TO GRASS ROOTS "GROUPS NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPING INITIATIVE. "INVESTMENT SCHOOL LEAD AGENCY "LAND ASSEMBLY "NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES & ENTREPRENEURS "VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
  5. DURING THE 2021 FISCAL YEAR, BBC CONTINUED TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC. THE BOARD AND STAFF REMAIN VIGILANT TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO NAVIGATE THESE TUMULTUOUS TIMES. WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE OVER 4,000 COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WITH WEEKLY DINNERS, FRESH PRODUCE, AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. BBC ALSO PROVIDED RESIDENTS WITH RENTAL SUPPORT, GROCERIES FOR HOUSEHOLDS, AND SUPPORT WITH UTILITY BILLS. WE SUPPORTED 19 BUSINESS WITH RENTAL OR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THEY REMAIN VIABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE COMPLETED THE FINANCING FOR COLFAX FAMILY HOMES, 36 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES THAT WILL CREATE LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING OPTIONS IN THE KINSMAN NEIGHBORHOOD. THESE HOMES WILL CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE OF THE STREET AND COMMUNITY AS WE IMPLEMENT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MASTER PLAN. OTHER KEY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDE: "BOXSPOT SMALL BUSINESS VENTURE "HEALTH & WELLNESS EDUCATION FOR YOUTH & ADULTS HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE "PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON THE ARTS "RETAIL DEVELOPMENT "HOUSING DEVELOPMENT & OCCUPANCY "GREENSPACE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE FISCAL AGENT SERVICES TO GRASS ROOTS "GROUPS NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPING INITIATIVE. "INVESTMENT SCHOOL LEAD AGENCY "LAND ASSEMBLY "NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES & ENTREPRENEURS "VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 November 1991.

    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.