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Building Families for Children

EIN 46-3006084 · Columbia, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1920 BY MCCORMICK SPICE COMPANY'S ENTREPRENEUR WILLOUGHBY MCCORMICK, BUILDING FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN (BFC), FORMERLY BAPTIST FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES, EXISTS TO PROVE A SAFE, NURTURING FAMILY FOR EVER CHILD AND A SUPPORTIVE, THRIVING COMMUNITY FOR EVERY FAMILY. OUR MISSION IS TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST BY HELPING MARYLAND'S MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN THRIVE IN FAMILIES.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
19
Highest pay
$119,526, executive di

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: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 74% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% 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

    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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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. $1.2 million spent. THE CHOSEN PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILY-BASED TREATMENT FOSTER CARE (TFC) FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FORM THEIR HOMES BY A LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS). DUE TO CHILDHOOD TRAUMA THEY REQUIRE MORE THAN THE BASIC CARE, SUPPORT LOVE AND NURTURING THAT REGULAR FOSTER CARE PROVIDES. OUR APPROACH IS ATTACHMENT-BASED AND TRAUMA INFORMED AND IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN. CHOSEN STAFF TRAINS AND PROVIDES WEEKLY IN-HOME SUPPORT TO TREATMENT FOSTER PARENTS SO THEY CAN PROVIDE CARE THAT HELPS THE YOUTH HEAL FROM TRAUMA AND TEACHES NEW COPING SKILLS. THE HOPEFUL OUTCOME IS THAT THE CHILDREN REMAIN STABLE IN THEIR FOSTER FAMILY, AND EVENTUALLY MEET THEIR PERMANENCY GOAL.
  2. $300,609 spent. SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN MOBILIZES A NETWORK OF COMPASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS TO WRAP AROUND FAMILIES FACING CRISIS. WHILE SOME VOLUNTEERS TEMPORARILY PROVIDE HOUSING FOR CHILDREN, OTHERS STEP IN TO MENTOR PARENTS AND HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL. THESE SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS PROVIDE THE SAFETY NET MANY VULNERABLE FAMILIES NEED TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND ACHIEVE LONG-TERM STABILITY. MANY FAMILIES TODAY ARE ISOLATED, THEY MAY NOT HAVE ANYONE TO CALL WHEN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE, LEAVING THEM VULNERABLE. THIS IS WHERE SAFE FAMILIES CAN STEP IN. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE A SAFE, NURTURING HOME FOR CHILDREN, ALLOWING PARENTS TO FOCUS ON CRISIS SITUATIONS WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT LOSING PARENTAL CUSTODY, WHILE PROVIDING AN EXTRA LAYER OF SUPPORT AS PARENTS WORK TOWARD STABILITY.
  3. $1,576 spent. IN OUR THERAPEUTIC FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM, THERAPISTS WORK WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND THEIR CAREGIVERS TO ADDRESS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES RESULTING FROM TRAUMA. WE HELP FAMILIES OF ALL TYPES (ADOPTIVE, FOSTER AND BIOLOGICAL) TO CONNECT, HEAL AND THRIVE TOGETHER. CHILDHOOD TRAUMA MAKES A LASTING IMPACT ON THE BRAIN, HINDERING A CHILD'S ABILITY TO LEARN, GROW AND FORM HEALTHY ATTACHMENTS WITH OTHERS. OUR THERAPIST'S APPROACH IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF TRUST-BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTION (TBRI), A HOLISTIC, ATTACHMENT-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED INTERVENTION DESIGNED TO MEET THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

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 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 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 September 2014.

    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.