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Backpack Beginnings

EIN 46-1251223 · Greensboro, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF BACKPACK BEGINNINGS IS TO CONNECT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO RESOURCES NEEDED TO THRIVE, THEREBY PROVIDING A POSITIVE AND LASTING IMPACT ON THEIR HEALTH.

Income
$5.2 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
11
Volunteers
6,300

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $4.7 million spent. TO ACCOMPLISH BACKPACK BEGINNINGS MISSION, BACKPACK BEGINNINGS DISTRIBUTES FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES TO CHILDREN THROUGH OUR 201 COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND FAMILY MARKET (FM). OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDE SCHOOLS, HEADSTARTS, PEDIATRICIANS OFFICES, NON-PROFITS, CHURCHES AND HOUSING AUTHORITY SITES. THE BPB FAMILY MARKET IS A DIGNITY OF CHOICE, "ONE-STOP" SHOPPING EXPERIENCE WHERE PARENTS AND CHILDREN SELECT THEIR BASIC NEEDS AT NO COST IN A RETAIL-LIKE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO EXPANDED FOOD CHOICES SUCH AS FROZEN FOODS, FRESH PRODUCE, AND DAIRY ITEMS AS WELL AS RESOURCES SUCH AS HYGIENE PRODUCTS, CHILDREN'S CLOTHING, DIAPERS, BABY ACCESSORIES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND EVEN CHILDHOOD JOYS SUCH AS TOYS, BOOKS, AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT. DURING OUR 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR, WE PROVIDED 924,922 LBS OF FOOD, 1,608 COMFORT BACKPACKS, 237,824 ITEMS OF CLOTHING, 131,111 HYGIENE ITEMS, 945,204 DIAPERS, 48,873 HOUSEHOLD GOODS, 77,834 SCHOOL SUPPLIES, 32,272 TOYS, 13,133 BABY ACCESSORIES AND 42,376 BOOKS TO LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES VIA OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND FAMILY MARKET. OVERALL, THESE BASIC NEEDS WENT TO 27,436 CHILDREN. BEYOND THE BASISCS (BTB) IS A NO-COST COACHING PROGRAM FOR OUR FM GUESTS WHO ARE MOTIVATED TO MAKE CHANGES THAT WOULD POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR FAMILY THROUGH GOAL SETTING. BTB ALSO SUPPORTS FM GUESTS WITH REFERRALS AND CASE MANAGEMENT

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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 February 2013.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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