Medical Bridges Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Medical Bridges' mission is to bridge the healthcare gap worldwide by procuring and distributing medical, dental and surgical equipment and supplies to underserved communities.
- Income
- $11.9 million
- Spending
- $13.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 240
- Highest pay
- $175,000, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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 December 31, 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 (1)
- $12.7 million spent. Medical Bridges procures medical, dental and surgical supplies and equipment for redistribution to qualified organizations and health care professionals primarily in the developing world. Medical Bridges procures donations of surplus supplies and equipment from hospitals, clinics, private practice physicians, medical supply companies, home health agencies, and private individuals. Continued on Schedule O In 2025, Medical Bridges prepared and sent 58 maritime containers. These shipments ranged in size from suitcases filled with sutures to 40-foot ocean-freight containers holding up to 1,200 boxes of supplies and equipment. Medical Bridges diligently assesses the multitude of requests received annually to ensure that consignees meet requirements regarding who receives the supplies and how they are distributed to the community. Medical Bridges relies greatly on the expertise and time commitment of volunteers. Volunteers work in the distribution center and on special projects throughout the year; they routinely log more than 4,000 hours.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 December 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 December 1997.
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 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.