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Bright Horizons Foundation for Children

EIN 62-1782263 · Newton, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BRIGHT HORIZONS FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN IS FOCUSED ON BRIGHTENING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS. WE SUPPORT A RANGE OF PROGRAMS THAT SERVE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND NONPROFIT AGENCIES THROUGH VOLUNTEERS, GRANTS, AND RESOURCES. OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAM, BRIGHT SPACES, CREATES AND SUPPORTS PLAY AREAS THAT BRIGHTEN THE LIVES OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS, AND SERVES MORE THAN 130,000 HOMELESS CHILDREN EACH YEAR.

Income
$725,192
Spending
$726,668
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
18 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2,000
Highest pay
$235,678, president

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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 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 (2)
  1. $261,284 spent. SINCE 1999, WE HAVE OPENED MORE THAN 300 BRIGHT SPACES THAT TODAY SERVE MORE THAN 130,000 CHILDREN ANNUALLY. THESE BRIGHT SPACES PROVIDE UNIQUE HUBS OF ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY, GATHER WITH FAMILIES, AND RECEIVE THE SERVICES THEY NEED IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES. THE FOUNDATION ALSO FOSTERS EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERISM THROUGH BRIGHTENING LIVES ACTIVITY GRANTS AND GLEASON VOLUNTEER GRANTS. ANNUALLY, THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS PERFORM VALUABLE COMMUNITY SERVICE IN BRIGHT SPACES AND OTHER NONPROFIT AGENCIES ACROSS THE US.
  2. $352,744 spent. THE BRIGHT HORIZONS EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYEES RECOVERING FROM CALAMITOUS EVENTS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL SUCH AS NATUAL DISASTERS, EXTENDED ILLNESS/INJURY, A LOVED ONE'S DEATH, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. MONEY GOES TO HELP THESE EMPLOYEES MANAGE ESSENTIAL LIVING EXPENSES -- SUCH AS HOUSING, UTILITIES, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES AS THEY STRIVE TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

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.

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.