Family Business Network USA Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
FBN was established to educate owners and employees of family businesses, and thereby promote the success and sustainability of those family businesses and their communities.FBN educates and connects families in business by organizing and participating in seminars.Cont on Sched O
- Income
- $261,078
- Spending
- $298,215
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- -0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 43%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $66,000, executive director
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
Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 122% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 28 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $208,751 spent. To achieve its goal of educating owners and employess of family businesses, FBN and its members provide instruction to individuals by creating and disseminating training materials addressing issues commonly faced by family businesses. Because many issues that arise in the course of running a business present unique challenges to family businesses, the materials and the forum for discussion provided by FBN can be invaluable resources. The majority of FBNs presenters are members who speak at events either at no charge or for travel expenses, although some materials are provided by experts in family businesses and their governance. FBNs programs are open to both members and non-members, although the number of programs a non-member may attend each year is limited. Continued on Schedule O.
- Line 1 - Description of Organization Mission continued:and events, by providing training materials on a wide array of topics to its members, and by providing members with a forum to ask questions and trade ideas. FBN carries out its education activities through a combination of online webinars and peer groups in collaboration with other outside organizations or with another FBN chapter. FBN is one of 30 chapters of the Family Business Network-International, an international not-for-profit network. Each chapter organizes its own programs and events for education, training, and the exchange of ideas under the motto By Families for Families. The organization is membership based. Line 4a, Program Service Accomplishments continued:Programs typically run at break-even or a small loss. Membership benefits include:-Invitation to seminars and webinars with peers-Peer group participation and discussion facilitated by FBN-Regional gatherings-Webinar series accessible to members-Access to the Next Generation network-Access to Next Generation internships-Ability to draw upon the experience of a national network of successful family business
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
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 December 2024.
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 August 2014.
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.