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Bridges of Hope

EIN 72-1538846 · Brainerd, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 65%
Employees
69
Volunteers
375
Highest pay
$123,271, executive director

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. COMMON GOODS CHARITY THRIFT STORE: OPERATED THREE THRIFT STORES TO CONTINUE MISSION OF SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE STORE UTILIZED VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST IN STORE OPERATIONS AND PROCESSING DONATIONS. THE GOAL OF COMMON GOODS IS TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE NUMBER OF PRODUCTS LEAVING THE AREA AND/OR ENTERING LANDFILLS. GOODS ARE RECYCLED AND REDISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, AND AS A RESULT, LOCAL DONATIONS STAY LOCAL AND PROCEEDS FROM THE STORE HELP US SERVE LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED. IN 2023, WE BEGAN RECYCLING TEXTILES WITH A PARTNER ORGANIZATION IN CROSBY, MN. WE PURCHASED A BALER AND FORKLIFT AND ARE COLLECTING TEXTILES AT OUR THRIFT STORES TO BE RECYCLED. THE GOAL IS TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE BY REDUCING WASTE IN LOCAL LANDFILLS. THE REVENUE STREAM WILL BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT BRIDGES OF HOPE'S CURRENT PROGRAMS, WHICH SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA.
  2. $330,396 spent. WARMING SHELTER: A SAFE, SECURE, WARM PLACE TO SLEEP FOR THE COLDER MONTHS FOR THOSE 18+ OF AGE. HOURS OF OPERATION ARE 7 PM - 8 AM AND TRAINED STAFF ARE PRESENT DURING OPEN HOURS OF OPERATION.
  3. $141,374 spent. RESOURCE CONNECTION SERVICES IS A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY IN THE COMMUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH A SHORT-TERM CHALLENGE OR NEED; PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO REGAIN STABILITY. WHEN NECESSARY, WE DISBURSE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO STABILITY, SUCH AS SUDDEN HEALTH EXPENSES OR IMMEDIATE RENT SUPPORT. CLIENTS CONTACT BRIDGES OF HOPE BECAUSE THEY NEED HELP WITH BASIC NEEDS, RANGING FROM FOOD INSECURITY, HOUSING, UTILITIES, MEDICAL BILLS, TRANSPORTATION, AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. IN 2024 WE ASSISTED 3,192 CLIENTS WITH $62,333.69 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
  4. $330,396 spent. OPERATION SANDWICH: OPERATION SANDWICH IS A GRASSROOTS PROGRAM WITH A GOAL TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT FOOD SECURITY FOR KIDS WHEN SCHOOL ISN'T IN SESSION. WE PROVIDE LUNCH AND SNACK KITS DURING EVERY SCHOOL BREAK AND EVERY WEEK DURING SUMMER BREAK. DURING THE SUMMER, OPERATION SANDWICH HAS SIX PICKUP LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA: BRAINERD, CROSSLAKE, JENKINS, NISSWA, PEQUOT LAKES, AND PINE RIVER. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, DISTRIBUTION IS AVAILABLE AT OUR BRAINERD, PEQUOT LAKES, AND PINE RIVER PICKUP LOCATIONS ONLY. IN 2024, WE SERVED 10,538 CLIENTS IN NEED.

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 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 March 2003.

    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.