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Bright Futures Fund

EIN 46-1012192 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO OFFER POSITIVE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH IN A SAFE, VALUE-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR SUCH OTHER PURPOSES AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

Income
$10.6 million
Spending
$10.6 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
-2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$194,993, chief financial officer

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: 33 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 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. $6.9 million spent. AS A CERTIFIED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION FOR THE MISSOURI SCHOLARS K-12 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, PROVIDED FUNDING FOR CHILDREN THAT MET STATE REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND ONE OF THIRTY SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY-ST. JOSEPH.
  2. $1.8 million spent. GRANTS ARE PROVIDED TO THREE INNER CITY SCHOOLS WITHIN THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY-ST. JOSEPH. THIS ENABLES THE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO RECEIVE A CATHOLIC EDUCATION. THE FUNDS ALSO SUPPORT THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE TWO SCHOOLS. A SMALL PORTION OF THE FUNDS PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES TO ATTEND SELECT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WHERE FAMILIES NEED SOME ASSISTANCE TO REMAIN IN THE SCHOOLS. ALL SCHOOLS ARE TAX EXEMPT AND FOLLOW EDUCATIONAL GUIDELINES REQUIRED BY STATE AND FEDERAL STANDARDS AS WELL AS THE TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
  3. $1.7 million spent. FISCAL YEARS 2024 AND 2025 INCLUDED CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR A NEW BUILDING AT ONE OF THE THREE INNER CITY SCHOOLS THAT ARE SUPPORTED BY BRIGHT FUTURES FUND.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2015.

    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 August 2016.

    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.