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Hartford Business Improvement District

EIN 41-2229120 · Hartford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BRING ABOUT POSITIVE AND LASTING CHANGE BY ENHANCING THE ECONOMIC VITALITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN THE DISTRICT. WORKING COLLECTIVELY WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS MORE THAN 100 PROPERTY OWNERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE DISTRICT, HARTFORD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WILL ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION THROUGH INITIATIVES THAT WILL CREATE A SAFER, CLEANER AND MORE ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR EMPLOYEES, VISITORS AND RESIDENTS THAT FREQUENT THE DISTRICT.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
4
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$141,380, 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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $724,862 spent. CLEANING & SECURITY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM - DAILY ON STREET CLEAN STREET AND SECURITY OPERATIONS WITHIN THE DISTRICT
  2. $370,873 spent. PROMOTING THE CITY - PROMOTING THE CITY WAS FOCUSED ON PROMOTING HARTFORD'S ASSETS TO CREATE A RELEVANT AND POSITIVE MESSAGE ABOUT CONNECTICUT'S CAPITAL CITY, AND GETTING THE HARTFORD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT'S NAME OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $106,941 spent. PLACEMAKING AND EVENTS - TO CREATE AND BEAUTIFY PROGRAM SPACES IN THE DISTRICT

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 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 June 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 July 2009.

    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.