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Better Brothers Los Angeles

EIN 47-4391440 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak22 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The specific purposes for which Better Brothers Los Angeles is organized are: To create, implement and support social and educational programming that educates, informs and strengthens LGBTQ communities of color. To provide programming and support services to LGBTQ communities of color that increase social well-being and psycho-social development while improving the perception and interaction of LGBTQ individuals in their respective ethnic communities. To increase financial and health opportunities through educational efforts that strengthen the stability of LGBTQ communities of color.

Income
$459,959
Spending
$369,532
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (3)
  1. $275,536 spent. The Truth Awards is an annual ceremony established in 2015 to promote public awareness and combat prejudice by highlighting the contributions, excellence, courage, and leadership of the Black LGBTQ+ community and its allies. The event serves as a major annual fundraiser, supporting **scholarships** for LGBTQ+ youth enrolled in college and vocational programs. The ceremony averages **500 in-person attendees** and achieves significant national visibility, including an average of **1.5 million social media impressions**. Since 2020, the broadcast has reached an expanded audience via national distribution on the **Fox Soul network and KTLA+ App**, which collectively reach over 44 million subscribers.
  2. $61,329 spent. Hosted an annual fundraising dinner, attended by 100 individuals, to raise funds for the organization's LGBTQ+ youth scholarship program. The event allows supporters to network and contribute to the scholarship fund. A key feature includes testimonials from past scholarship recipients, who share updates on their academic progress and the direct impact of the community's support.
  3. $12,036 spent. BBLA sponsors quarterly facilitated discussions, engaging expert panelists to provide information on critical community issues. Topics include mental health, public health vaccinations (COVID-19/mpox), voting rights, and family-related social services. These forums provide a space for individuals to share common experiences, reinforcing a sense of community while addressing health and whole-person care. In 2024, BBLA also launched the '2 Shots 1 Love' public awareness campaign. This campaign promoted mpox vaccination to the community through a targeted media strategy that included billboards and social media platforms.

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

  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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2018.

    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 December 2024.

    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 December 2021.

    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.