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Bridges of Hope International

EIN 41-2069266 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BUILDING BRIDGES INTO SUFFERING NATIONS IN ORDER TO CREATE LONG-TERM, SELF-SUSTAINING SOLUTIONS TO THE DEEP PROBLEMS OF OUR WORLD.

Income
$261,765
Spending
$274,514
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$112,856, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $85,633 spent. LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION - PROVIDED EDUCATION SEMINARS REGARDING POVERTY AND HIV AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING.PROVIDED CHURCH LEADER AND EX-GANG MEMBER RETREATS. COMMUNITY HEALTH EVANGELISM PROGRAM PROVIDED EDUCATION REGARDING NUTRITION AND DISEASE PREVENTION. PROVIDED FOR FOOD AND VITAMIN DISTRIBUTION AND HOME DOCTOR VISITS. PROVIDED COMPUTERS AND CLASSROOM EDUCATION FOR ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY LEADERS. SERVED MORE THAN 30,000 PEOPLE
  2. $83,115 spent. ORPHAN CARE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS - PROVIDED ORPHAN CARE IN HOME ENVIRONMENT, RETREATS FOR ORPHAN CHILDREN, GIFT AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO ORPHAN CHILDREN. MAINTAINED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM INCLUDING SNACKS AND FACILITATORS, MAINTAINED COMPUTER CENTER AND LIBRARY. PROVIDED COMPUTER, LIFE SKILLS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING. SERVED OVER 10,000 PEOPLE.
  3. $83,115 spent. BRIDGES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IS A PROGRAM IN SAMORA, SWEET HOME AND PHILIPPI ORIENTED TOWARDS HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS. COMMUNITY BASED YOUTH MINISTRY FOCUSED ON EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP, WHICH INCLUDES CAMPS AND ACTIVITIES. SERVED OVER 2,000 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.