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Better Basics Inc

EIN 63-1106040 · Birmingham, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BETTER BASICS WORKS TO ERADICATE ILLITERACY AMONG CHILDREN IN CENTRAL ALABAMA. WE DELIVER READING AND MATH INSTRUCTION AND RESOURCES TO EMPOWER THE EDUCATIONALLY VULNERABLE.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
191
Volunteers
690
Highest pay
$108,277, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 25 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 (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS: 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS SERVE PRE-K-12TH-GRADE STUDENTS IN FAIRFIELD CITY, TARRANT CITY, AND DALLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS WITH AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING. LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 420 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN OUR 21ST CCLC PROGRAMS. THEY BENEFITTED FROM SMALL-GROUP TUTORING, ENRICHMENT, ACAP/ACT PREP, PHYSICAL FITNESS, HOMEWORK HELP, AND STEM - ALL DESIGNED TO PROMOTE LEARNING AND CURIOSITY IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
  2. $536,886 spent. INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: READING INTERVENTION, MATH INTERVENTIONBETTER BASICS READING INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES SMALL-GROUP, DATA-DRIVEN INSTRUCTION LED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS, HELPING STUDENTS STRENGTHEN LITERACY SKILLS AND MAKE MEASURABLE PROGRESS IN JUST 20 WEEKS. LAST YEARS COHORT OF STUDENTS GREW AN AVERAGE 1 YEAR AND 5 MONTH IN READING SKILLS.DELIVERED ON-SITE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AND ALIGNED WITH THE ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACADEMIC STANDARDS, READING INTERVENTION BUILDS FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS IN PHONICS, FLUENCY, VOCABULARY, AND COMPREHENSION THROUGH ENGAGING, RESEARCH-BASED LESSONS. STUDENTS MEET IN GROUPS OF THREE TO FOUR, RECEIVING INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION THREE TIMES PER WEEK FROM OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH. PROGRESS IS CAREFULLY MEASURED USING THE SORT ASSESSMENT.BETTER BASICS MATHEMATICS INTERVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES SMALL-GROUP INSTRUCTION IN CORE MATH CONCEPTS FULLY ALIGNED WITH THE ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACADEMIC STANDARDS. LED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS ON-SITE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, STUDENTS MEET THREE TIMES PER WEEK FOR 20 WEEKS. LAST YEARS COHORT OF STUDENTS INCREASED MASTERY OF CRITICAL MATH SKILLS BY 60%.
  3. $592,935 spent. OUR BOOK DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS CONVEYED OVER 190,000 QUALITY BOOKS TO CHILDREN, MOSTLY IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS.DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY DISTRIBUTES FREE, HIGH-INTEREST, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS EACH MONTH. LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 15,000 CHILDREN AGED BIRTH THROUGH FIVE RECEIVED BOOKS. BETTER BASICS MANAGES AND FUNDS DPIL FOR JEFFERSON AND WALKER COUNTIES, AL.BETTER BASICS READS MOBILIZED HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS IN SINGLE-DAY EVENTS TO READ TO 13,500 STUDENTS. SITES INCLUDED ALL ELEMENTARY CLASSROOMS IN BIRMINGHAM CITY, FAIRFIELD CITY, BESSEMER CITY, AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SYSTEMS. EACH CHILD RECEIVED A COPY OF THE BOOK READ.

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 November 6, 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 July 1994.

    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 November 4, 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.