Bellis
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 44% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
BELLIS' LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO DRIVE SOCIETAL CHANGE BY OFFERING EFFECTIVE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND/OR TERMINATION OF LEGAL CUSTODY ORDERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. THE PEOPLE BELLIS SUPPORTS, OFTEN STIGMATIZED FOR CIRCUMSTANCES LARGELY BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL, REGAIN A SENSE OF SELF-WORTH, AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES. BY INVESTING IN PEOPLE WHOSE CHILDREN ARE PARENTED BY OTHERS, WE REDUCE THE NEED FOR REPEATED COSTLY LEGAL AND SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS, AND GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO LIVE MORE PURPOSEFUL, FULFILLING LIVES DESPITE THEIR TRAUMA.
- Income
- $987,446
- Spending
- $218,704
- Spent on programs
- 45%
- Reserves
- 27.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $63,654, executive director
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
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 78% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 177% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1544% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Fair: 65 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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 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 (2)
- $82,683 spent. PEER-BASED NETWORKS: OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS PEER-BASED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WHOSE CHILDREN ARE PARENTED BY OTHERS. PARTICIPANTS OF BELLIS PROGRAMS COME TO US WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES INCLUDING TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, TRANSFER OF CUSTODY, FOSTER CARE, OPEN CHILD PROTECTION CASES, CUSTODY DISPUTES, PARENTAL ALIENATION, ADOPTION, AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. LICENSED PROFESSIONALS ENSURE THAT SHARING LIFE STORIES HAPPENS IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT OFFERS VALIDATION AND ACCEPTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: SIX WEEKLY ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS, TWO ANNUAL RETREATS FOR WOMEN, A TELEPHONE WARMLINE, AND A MONTHLY IN-PERSON GROUP IN ST. PAUL, MN.
- $14,591 spent. BELLIS EXPANDED THE REACH OF ITS STRONGER TOGETHER PEER SUPPORT MODEL THROUGH BOTH DIRECT-SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS AND A NEWLY AVAILABLE FACILITATOR TRAINING PROGRAM. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, BELLIS DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE FACILITATOR TRAINING MANUAL AND TRAINING PROCESS. THIS LICENSED TRAINING ALLOWS ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE WHOSE CHILDREN ARE PARENTED BY OTHERS TO EQUIP THEIR OWN PROFESSIONALS TO IMPLEMENT THE STRONGER TOGETHER PEER SUPPORT MODEL WITHIN THEIR PROGRAMS, WITH ONGOING SUPPORT FROM BELLIS.
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
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 June 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 June 1983.
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.