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Bit Community Center Inc

EIN 52-2169101 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BIT'S (FORMERLY KNOWN AS ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTER) MISSION IS TO SUPPORT AN EQUITABLE PROSPEROUS BALTIMORE BUILDING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WEALTH FOR CITIZENS OF THE WORLD WHO CALL BALTIMORE HOME. ALWAYS INSPIRED BY OUR ITALIAN CULTURE, WE DO SO BY EMPOWERING FAMILIES THROUGH THE ARTS, BUILDING COMMUNITY ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE QUALITY FOOD, PROVIDING FOOD EDUCATION, PROMOTING FOOD JUSTICE, CREATING INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING, AND JOBS FOR YOUNG ADULTS.BIT STANDS FOR B-MORE ITALIAN.

Income
$276,110
Spending
$278,282
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
16
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$65,360, executive director & ceo

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 90% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs.

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: 46 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $2,094 spent. BE A CHEF FOR A DAYBE A CHEF FOR A DAY GASTRONOMY PROGRAM - THROUGH OUR AWARD-WINNING GASTRONOMY PROGRAM, CHILDREN MASTER THE SKILL AND SCIENCE OF COOKING WHILE GAINING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HEALTHY NUTRITION, COOKING SKILLS AND GROCERY SHOPPING ON A BUDGET. BE A CHEF FOR A DAY FOOD BUS - A FORMER SCHOOL BUS, NOW A 40' COMMERCIAL TEACHING KITCHEN AND FOOD PANTRY ON WHEELS. CALLED "BUSSIE BUSSIE," OUR SCHOOL BUS BRINGS FRESH, AFFORDABLE PRODUCE AND HEALTHY MEALS TO FOOD INSECURE AREAS. BE A CHEF FOR A DAY COMMUNITY FOOD PROGRAM - DURING THE 2020 PANDEMIC, WE ADDRESSED INTENSE FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR LOCAL AREAS BY DISTRIBUTING 403,904 MEALS. OUR COMMITMENT PERSISTED, NOW SUPPORTING 450+ FAMILIES WEEKLY WITH MEALS, FRESH PRODUCE, PANTRY STAPLES, AND CULINARY/NUTRITION GUIDANCE, EMBODYING OUR MISSION OF INSTILLING HOPE. BE A CHEF FOR A DAY - NATIONAL CHILDREN'S GASTRONOMY FESTIVAL - ONCE A YEAR WE HOLD THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S GASTRONOMY FESTIVAL: A MONTH-LONG EVENT WITH 35+ COOKING CLASSES PROMOTING GLOBAL CONNECTION THROUGH COOKING. COLLABORATING WITH MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, OUR CONFERENCE "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT" EXPLORES HEALTHY FOOD EQUITY. BE A CHEF FOR A DAY - IN CUCINA - IN OUR KITCHEN, WE BRING THE HEART OF MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE OFFER EXCLUSIVE COOKING CLASSES, COOKING CONVERSATIONS, AS WELL AS FREE COMMUNITY COOKING CLASSES HELD IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, TO HELP PEOPLE LEARN TO MAKE DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD.
  2. B-MORE PASTA: DISCOVER SUCCESS WITH OUR YOUTH WORKFORCE PROGRAM! GEARED TOWARDS AGES 14-24, IT EQUIPS THEM TO EXCEL IN PASTA-MAKING BUSINESS. THEY GAIN EXPERTISE IN ALL AREAS, FROM CRAFTING VEGAN PASTA TO SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING. EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION FOR TRIUMPH!
  3. BIT COMMUNITY ART PROGRAM: SINCE 1955 THE CENTER HAS PROMOTED THE CREATIVE SPIRIT AND ARTISTIC TRADITIONS OF ITALIANS THROUGH ART EXHIBITS, SEMINARS, CONCERTS, LECTURES, AND THE LEONARDO DA VINCI BRIDGE ENGINEERING COMPETITION. WE HOST EXHIBITIONS OF ARTISTS ACROSS DIVERSE STYLES TO PROMOTE AESTHETIC, SOCIAL, HISTORICAL, AND POLITICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN ITALY AND MARYLAND. OUR PERMANENT COLLECTION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 October 1999.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Community Blood Center (Dayton, OH), EIN 31-0684163. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.