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Bernie L Bates Foundation Inc

EIN 54-1752985 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Bernie L Bates Foundation, Inc. shall award scholarships to college students and college-bound students. The Foundation shall provide support to the less fortunate by assisting to feed, clothe, house, and educate them. The Foundation will support food banks and other helping facilities in the community. The Foundation shall assist in community activities such as talent enrichment and college preparation programs. The Foundation shall seek out opportunities to support and mentor our youth in the community.

Income
$193,734
Spending
$191,255
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
29.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $24,000 spent. Scholarship Recipients: Samson Boyd-North Carolina A&T State University-$5,000; Daniel Purvis-University of North Carolina(Chapel Hill)-$5,000; Evan Kinsel-Morehouse College & Georgia Tech-$2,500; Sean Cranford-Swarthmore College-$1,750; Christopher Ludd-Virginia Commonwealth University-$1,500; Winston Matthews-University of British Columbia-$1,500; Almirah Racine-Purdue University-$1,500; Zayin Taylor-Spelman College-$1,500; Grant McIntosh-Colby College-$1,500; IsabellaFloyd-Old Dominion University-$1,750; Noah Isirimah-International High School Essay Contest-$500
  2. $20,782 spent. Social Action and Community Support: Reading for Success-$380; Community Recognition-$1,350; Fairfax County Foster Care-ManUp Mentoring Program-Thanksgiving Christmas Donations-$3,470; Student Awards Program-$5,559; Privilege Award-$9,023; George Mason University Foundation-$1,000
  3. None
  4. $132,791 spent. Other Program Services - Expenses $132,791: Achievement Week-$26,356; New Year's Eve-$47,450; Golf Classic-$11,171; CFC-$209; Sweetheart Affair-$3,850; Crab Feast-$11,656; Super Bowl Raffle-$6,977; Other-$19,122

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 2001.

    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.