Mary E Bivins Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MARY E. BIVINS FOUNDATION, A TEXAS NON-PROFIT CORPORATION, WAS FORMED IN 1949. THE PURPOSES / MISSION FOR WHICH THE CORPORATION WAS FORMED ARE: (A) TO OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF NURSING HOMES ESTABLISHED FOR WORTHY, AGED, AND NEEDY PERSONS. (B) TO OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF NURSING HOMES ESTABLISHED FOR WORTHY, AGED, AND NEEDY PERSONS SUFFERING FROM ALZHEIMERS DISEASE. (C) TO OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF WORTHY RELIGIOUS UNDERTAKINGS, INCLUDING THE EDUCATION OF MINISTERS TO PREACH THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. (D) TO OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF WORTHY CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS OR UNDERTAKINGS WHICH SERVE WORTHY, AGED, OR NEEDY PERSONS. (E) TO BE ORGANIZED AND OPERATED IN A MANNER TO SUPPORT OR BENEFIT ONE OR MORE SPECIFIED PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.509(A)-4(D) OF THE TREASURY REGULATIONS. (F) TO BE ORGANIZED AND OPERATED IN A MANNER TO EXCLUSIVELY SUPPORT RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES PURSUANT TO SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. (G
- Income
- $6.7 million
- Spending
- $4.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 58%
- Employees
- 10
- Highest pay
- $279,789, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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)
- THE MARY E. BIVINS FOUNDATION HAS A PRIMARY PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING THE LEE BIVINS FOUNDATION, BIVINS VILLAGE, AND BIVINS VILLAGE II IN ORDER TO PROVIDE HOUSING, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS & SERVICES, SO THAT ELDERLY CITIZENS CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE FULFULLING & DIGNIFIED LIVES.
- $3.1 million spent. PROVIDE COMMUNITY & REGIONAL FUNDING FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES WHICH ADDRESS THE NON-RECURRING NEEDS OF QUALIFIED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING & ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE 26 COUNTIES OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE. PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO PURPOSES THAT ASSIST IN FURTHERING THE FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY PHILANTHROPIC OBJECTIVE TO ELDERCARE.
- $257,500 spent. PROVIDES FUNDS TO ASSIST WORTHY CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS UNDERTAKINGS THAT ADDRESS CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEEDS TO EDUCATE MINISTERS TO PREACH THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED TO UPPER-CLASSMEN SEEKING AN UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE EDUCATION LEADING TO A BACHELORS, MASTERS, DOCTORATE IN A FIELD THAT PREPARES THE STUDENT TO PREACH THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.