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Bridges to Independence Inc

EIN 54-1368484 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BRIDGES' MISSION IS TO BREAK CYCLES OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER, COUNSELING, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS FROM ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA. BRIDGES TO INDEPENDENCE ALSO OPERATES THE BONDER AND AMANDA JOHNSON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ("BAJCDC"), FOCUSING ON YOUTH WORK, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY NAVIGATION, CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF LIFTING THOSE IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY, AND BREAKING THE CYCLE OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY. THE ORGANIZATION IS PRIMARILY SUPPORTED THROUGH GOVERNMENT GRANTS, FOUNDATIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
35
Volunteers
475
Highest pay
$165,138, ceo

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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.

  • 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 (7)
  1. $1.0 million spent. RAPID REHOUSING - BRIDGES' RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM WORKS TO QUICKLY REHOUSE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FROM THE SHELTER TO THEIR OWN HOME AND TO PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE DURING A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WORK WITH HOUSING STABILIZATION STAFF TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE CONNECTED TO RESOURCES, EMPOWERED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES, AND ARE PROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
  2. $568,596 spent. SULLIVAN HOUSE - EMERGENCY SHELTER (SULLIVAN HOUSE) IS THE LARGEST SHORT-TERM FAMILY EMERGENCY SHELTER IN ARLINGTON, SERVING OVER 100 INDIVIDUALS PER YEAR IN AN APARTMENT-STYLE FACILITY. THE FOCUS IS ON HELPING CLIENTS ADDRESS BARRIERS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO HOMELESSNESS THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT, REFERRAL & HOUSING LOCATION SERVICES. BRIDGES WORKS TO RAPIDLY REHOUSE ALL SHELTER GUESTS SO THAT THEY CAN QUICKLY MOVE INTO THEIR OWN HOME.
  3. $109,335 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - BRIDGES' YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING ROBUST PROGRAMMING YEAR-ROUND TO EMPOWER YOUTH AND WORK TO END THE CYCLES OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS. BRIDGES OFFERS A DIVERSE ARRAY OF PROGRAMS TO FOSTER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, ENRICHMENT, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.BRIDGES ORGANIZES YOUTH-CENTRIC EVENTS, FACILITATES INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT SESSIONS AND PROGRAMS TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY, SUCH AS AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK BAGS AND THE BRIDGES SUMMER LUNCH FOOD TRUCK SERIES. BRIDGES' THRIVE AND SHINE SUMMER CAMP ENGAGES YOUNG PEOPLE IN STRUCTURED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, BRIDGES HAS EXPANDED ACCESS TO POSITIVE EXPERIENCES AND VITAL RESOURCES THROUGH FIELD TRIPS AND EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS, SPORTING EVENTS, SEASONAL FESTIVALS AND MORE. BRIDGES' OUTREACH EFFORTS HAVE ALSO INCLUDED PROVIDING THANKSGIVING MEALS, HOLIDAY TOYS, CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, AND HYGIENE ITEMS TO YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. COLLECTIVELY, THESE INITIATIVES ILLUSTRATE BRIDGES' UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND FOSTERING THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF BOTH YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  4. $87,354 spent. BONDER & AMANDA JOHNSON COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER: IN DECEMBER 2020, BRIDGES MERGED WITH THE BONDER & AMANDA JOHNSON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP, WHICH PROVIDED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO THE GREEN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD AND ACROSS ARLINGTON, VA. THESE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED UNDER BRIDGES AND ARE NOW OFFERED OUT OF THE BONDER & AMANDA JOHNSON COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER.
  5. $108,285 spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - BRIDGES' WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WORKS WITH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO FIND, SECURE, AND RETAIN STABLE EMPLOYMENT. BRIDGES TAKES AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH BY ASSESSING, PLANNING, SECURING AND EVALUATING EACH PROGRAM PARTICIPANT TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE SO THEY CAN FURTHER STABLIZE THEIR LIVES AND FUTURES. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, OBTAINING SPECIALIZED CERTIFICATIONS, FURTHERING EDUCATIONL OPPORTUNITIES, WORKING THROUGH TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS, GROUP TRAINING AND ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORTING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH OVERCOMING BARRIERS SO THEY CAN MOVE FROM EARNING MINIMUM WAGE TO A LIVABLE WAGE.
  6. $40,289 spent. FAMILY OVERFLOW SHELTER - BRIDGES OPERATES ARLINGTON COUNTY'S EMERGENCY FAMILY SHELTER, AND OVERFLOW SHELTER KNOWN AS THE SULLIVAN HOUSE. IT IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION FOR THOSE WITH LITTLE OR NO RESOURCES. WHILE THERE, FAMILIES RECEIVE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT ASSESSING THEIR SITUATION, PROVIDING BRIDGES PROGRAM RESOURCES, OR REFERRING TO OTHER RESOURCES. THE FAMILIES ARE TREATED WITH THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THEY DESERVE, ARE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS, AND RECEIVE WHATEVER IMMEDIATE NEEDS THEY MAY HAVE FOOD, DIAPERS, PERSONAL SUPPLIES, BASIC KITCHEN ITEMS, GIFT CARDS AND MORE THANKS TO DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY. THE LENGTH OF STAY GENERALLY IS BETWEEN 30-90 DAYS, AND WHILE BRIDGES WORKS WITH THE FAMILIES TO MOVE THEM INTO PERMANENT SOLUTIONS A HOME OF THEIR OWN, WITH ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND, OR OUT OF ARLINGTON COUNTY WHERE THEY MAY HAVE OTHER FAMILY CONNECTIONS.
  7. $50,873 spent. TARGETED PREVENTION - FOCUSES ON PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS THROUGH TARGETED INTERVENTION, INCLUDING PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS RENT ASSISTANCE AND UTILITY PAYMENTS, TO ASSIST FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS AT IMMINENT RISK OF EVICTION.

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 January 1988.

    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.