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Brightbridge Inc

EIN 58-1494630 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTION AND ASSISTANCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH BUSINESS FINANCING AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Income
$10.4 million
Spending
$9.4 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
15.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
20
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$259,312, senior vice president

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: 77 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 93% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs.

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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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 (4)
  1. $5.6 million spent. SMALL BUSINESS LENDING PROGRAM - PROGRAM A PROVIDES LOANS TO SMALL AND STARTUP BUSINESSES THAT ARE LOCATED IN QUALIFIED AREAS LOANS THAT CAN BE USED FOR ACQUISITION OF LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, PURCHASE OF BUILDINGS, RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS, AND PURCHASE OF MACHINERY, OR EQUIPMENT. PROGRAM B PROVIDES BUSINESSES (BOTH FOR-PROFIT AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT) LOCATED IN DESIGNATED LOW-INCOME CENSUS TRACTS OR OWNED BY MEMBERS OR A TARGETED POPULATION, WHICH INCLUDES LOW-INCOME PERSONS AND ELIGIBLE MINORITIES, WITH LOANS THAT CAN BE USED FOR MOST BUSINESS PURPOSES, INCLUDING WORKING CAPITAL, FIXED ASSETS, AND OTHERS.
  2. $2.0 million spent. SBA COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE - LOANS TO SMALL AND STARTUP BUSINESSES FOR USE IN NORMAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS TO FINANCE WORKING CAPITAL NEEDS, EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, OR EXPANSION PROJECTS. LOANS ARE REPAID BY BUSINESS CASH FLOWS.
  3. $590,183 spent. NEW MARKET TAX CREDIT PROVIDES CAPITAL TO BUSINESSES LOCATED IN DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES
  4. $19,255 spent. GEORGIA RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELENDING FUND - PROVIDES SMALL AND STARTUP BUSINESSES THAT ARE LOCATED IN QUALIFIED AREAS LOANS THAT CAN BE USED FOR ACQUISITION OF LAND, LAND IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, PURCHASE OF BUILDINGS, RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS, AND PURCHASE OF MACHINERY, OR EQUIPMENT.

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 August 1983.

    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.