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Bridges Middle School

EIN 45-3744697 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SCHOOL'S VISION IS THAT EVERY BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT GRADUATE WITH THE ACADEMIC FOUNDATION, SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND LIFE. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)WHEN MAKING DECISIONS, BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL PLACES THE NEEDS OF ITS STUDENTS ABOVE ALL ELSE. THE SCHOOL HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF ITS STUDENTS AND STRIVES TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION IN A SAFE AND ORDERLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. BRIDGES BELIEVES EVERY STUDENT DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HIS OR HER FULL POTENTIAL.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
19
Volunteers
76
Highest pay
$183,794, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 91% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 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 August 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 (1)
  1. $1.4 million spent. ACADEMIC PROGRAM - IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL, IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT STUDENTS NEED A SMALL, MULTISENSORY CLASSROOM THAT HELPS EACH STUDENT INCREASE ACADEMIC SKILLS AS WELL AS SOCIAL SKILLS AND ENHANCE SELF-CONFIDENCE. REALIZING THAT STUDENTS HAVE INDIVIDUAL LEARNING STYLES AND NEEDS, BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL PROVIDES A HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM IN A SUCCESS-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS LEARN AND GROW TOGETHER. BRIDGES' SMALL CLASS SIZES (APPROX. ONE TEACHER PER TWELVE STUDENTS) ALLOW INDIVIDUALIZED ASSISTANCE AND THE ABILITY TO TAILOR LESSONS TO BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS AND CREATIVE INTERESTS OF EACH STUDENT. IN THE COURSE OF DAILY LESSONS, STUDENTS DEVELOP EFFECTIVE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC STRATEGIES THAT HELP THEM BECOME (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS AND FLOURISH IN A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTIVE TEACHERS AND PEERS. DURING THE 2024-2025 TAX YEAR, BRIDGES MIDDLE SCHOOL FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION FOR ITS NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH WHILE REMAINING DEEPLY COMMITTED TO ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY. A MAJOR PRIORITY WAS PREPARING FOR A MOVE TO A LARGER CAMPUS THAT WOULD BETTER SUPPORT THE SCHOOL'S SPECIALIZED PROGRAM, STUDENT NEEDS, AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY. THIS PLANNING WORK INCLUDED ORGANIZATIONAL PREPARATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND EARLY EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT THE FUTURE CAMPUS WOULD ALLOW BRIDGES TO SERVE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES MORE FULLY.AT THE SAME TIME, BRIDGES CONTINUED ITS STRONG COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL AID, ENSURING THAT STUDENTS WHO NEED THE SCHOOL'S SPECIALIZED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT HAVE A PATHWAY TO ATTEND. THE SCHOOL'S FINANCIAL AID EFFORTS REFLECT ITS BELIEF THAT A BRIDGES EDUCATION CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND NEURODIVERSE LEARNERS, AND THAT FAMILY INCOME SHOULD NOT BE THE SOLE BARRIER TO ACCESS.BRIDGES ALSO BEGAN INTENTIONAL WORK TO STRENGTHEN ITS VOICE AND VISIBILITY IN THE BROADER COMMUNITY. THROUGH IN-DEPTH STORYTELLING AND SPOTLIGHT BLOG POSTS, THE SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTED THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE BRIDGES COMMUNITY DISTINCTIVE, INCLUDING STAFF MEMBERS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND ALUMNI. THESE STORIES HELPED COMMUNICATE THE IMPACT OF A BRIDGES EDUCATION, ELEVATE THE EXPERTISE AND COMMITMENT OF THE SCHOOL'S TEAM AND LEADERSHIP, AND SHOW HOW STUDENTS CONTINUE TO GROW BEYOND THEIR TIME AT BRIDGES.TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS REFLECTED BRIDGES' COMMITMENT TO BOTH MISSION AND MOMENTUM: PREPARING FOR EXPANDED CAPACITY, SUSTAINING ACCESS THROUGH FINANCIAL AID, AND DEEPENING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCHOOL'S ROLE IN SUPPORTING NEURODIVERSE LEARNERS AND STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 August 2013.

    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.