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Springfield Business Development Corporation

EIN 43-1309497 · Springfield, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A CONTINUED REVENUE SOURCE FOR THE CHAMBER'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; ASSISTING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AND ATTRACTING NEW BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TO THE SPRINGFIELD REGION.

Income
$962,431
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$331,313, board secretary

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 60% 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 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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

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. $332,526 spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS - IN 2024, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM MANAGED SEVERAL NEW BUSINESS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES/LEADS, RESULTING IN 9 SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS. THE TEAM HOSTED 5 PROJECT SPECIFIC SITE VISITS IN THE SPRINGFIELD REGION AND SOLD 105 ACRES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND. THE TEAM ANNOUNCED SEVERAL PROJECT WINS, RESULTING IN 382 NEW JOBS, $38.4M IN NEW PAYROLL AND $208M IN NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
  2. $332,526 spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - IN ORDER TO MEET THE MOST PRESSING NEED OF EXISTING BUSINESSES, NEWLY ATTRACTED BUSINESSES AND START-UP COMPANIES, THE SBDC HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED ITS FOCUS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. STAFF ADMINISTERS SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING TALENT WITHIN THE EXISTING EDUCATION SYSTEM, ATTRACTING TALENT TO THE REGION FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA AND RETAINING TALENT ALREADY IN THE REGION OR ATTENDING SCHOOL IN THE REGION. ALL OF THESE EFFORTS WILL GIVE SPRINGFIELD A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE NOW AND INTO THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
  3. $285,023 spent. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES - IN 2024, OUR AGGRESSIVE APPROACH TO ASSISTING EXISTING COMPANIES WITH GROWTH OPTIONS, CONTINUED ALONG WITH OUR OUTREACH TO BRING NEW PRIMARY INDUSTRY SECTOR EMPLOYERS TO THE AREA. STAFF HELD NUMEROUS FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS WITH LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO GROWTH AND INVESTMENTS THEY MAY NEED TO MAKE TO ENSURE THEIR PRESENCE IN THE REGION. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. During the year, staff and SBDC leadership continued proactive outreach to national and regional site selection consultants and corporate real estate executives who advise companies on expansion and relocation decisions. These engagements provided opportunities to share Springfield's competitive assets, workforce strengths, and quality-of-life advantages. Staff also coordinated familiarization tours with prospective companies, offering data-driven presentations, business climate briefings, and introductions to key community partners. These efforts were designed to strengthen Springfield's visibility among decision-makers, build long-term relationships with companies and consultants, and position the region as a top choice for job creation and capital investment.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 1984.

    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.