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3 a Bereavement Foundation

EIN 76-0534471 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF 3 A BEREAVEMENT FOUNDATION IS TO ENABLE LOW-INCOME AND WORKING POOR BEREAVED FAMILIES TO SECURE SERVICES TO COMPREHENSIVELY ADDRESS THEIR BEREAVEMENT NEEDS. WE CURRENTLY SERVE OVER 1005 FAMILES EACH YEAR, ACROSS VARIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC, ETHNIC, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS.

Income
$179,499
Spending
$146,609
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$31,338, non voting board mbr

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 82% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • 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 (7)
  1. $41,856 spent. Provided 32,177 in direct emergency support to offset funeral, burial and cremation costs to 55 low-income bereaved families. Provided 9679 in direct group and individual grief counseling to low-income bereaved children and family members.
  2. $50,009 spent. Assisted 49 Crime Victims Families 2024 to apply for Crime Victims Compensation Benefits. Assisted 27 Crime Victims Families to directly receive 61,175 for funeral and burial expenses from the Texas Crime Victims Compensation Program.
  3. $21,126 spent. On average, there are at least four surviving immediate family members spouse, siblings, children and/or parents within every referred family. Therefore, the 1123 bereaved families served in 2024 equates to approximately 4492 bereaved individuals that directly benefit from 3ABF services.Staff Volunteers provided Aftercare Bereavement Services for up to six months to 1123 living immediate family members.
  4. The mission of 3 A Bereavement Foundation 3ABF is to enable low-income and working poor bereaved families to secure services to comprehensively address their bereavement needs. 3ABF occupies a unique position in the Houston Metropolitan Area as the only nonprofit organization with a sole purpose to provide comprehensive bereavement services to economically disadvantaged families. All services are rendered without regard to ethnic, social, religious or cultural background.
  5. 3 A Bereavement provided 1123 bereaved families in 2024 with consultations, referrals, bereavement support counseling, grief resources, after care follow-up services and emergency financial assistance. On average, there are at least four surviving immediate family members spouse, siblings, children and/or parents within every referred family. Therefore, the 1123 bereaved families served in 2024 equates to approximately 4492 individuals that directly benefit from 3ABF services. 3ABF provides programs and services at no charge to economically disadvantaged children, adults and families.
  6. 3ABF provided After Care Services a safety-net program staffed by volunteers to bereaved families as they move through their grief journey towards healing and wholeness a 230 Care Notes Pamphlets were mailed to bereaved individuals and families. b 330 Thinking About You Cards were mailed to bereaved individuals and families. c 255 Follow-Up Calls to bereaved families. d 168 Referrals to bereaved families to agencies for rent, utilities, clothing and food assistance.
  7. Since our inception in September 1997, 3ABF has Assisted over 15,951 families, each consisting of multiple persons, including parents, siblings, children and/or spouses, etc. 1476 bereaved families received a total over 557,175 in emergency financial donations for funeral, burial and/or cremation expenses. 12,826 bereaved families received bereavement services consultations, counseling, referrals and/or care-team support Provided bereavement programs and services to 469 children and teens, ages 3 years old to 19 years old in 2024. Assisted families in receiving over 2.97 Million from other supporters approximately 98 from Crime Victims Compensation funds and 2 from FEMA for 2005 Hurricane Victims Provided over 1605 hours of group and/or individual counseling services.

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 June 1997.

    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.

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