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Bens Bells Inc

EIN 76-0779755 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF BEN'S BELLS IS TO TEACH INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE POSTIVE IMPACTS OF INTENTIONAL KINDNESS AND TO INSPITE PEOPLE TO PRACTICE KINDNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE.

Income
$724,076
Spending
$785,575
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 43%
Employees
32
Volunteers
1,289
Highest pay
$65,322, chief executive officer

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

Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 47 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $281,624 spent. STUDIO & MURALSOUR STUDIO PROGRAM SERVES AS THE HEART OF OUR CREATIVE EFFORTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. IT IS A VIBRANT HUB WHERE VOLUNTEERS COME TOGETHER TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL, MEANINGFUL ART THAT FURTHERS THE MESSAGES OF KINDNESS AND CREATES CONNECTION. THE STUDIO HOSTS NUMEROUS WORKSHOPS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, OFFERING PARTICIPANTS A HANDS-ON WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR MISSION. MOST NOTABLY, THE STUDIO PROGRAMMING HAS RESULTED IN OVER 100,000 BEN'S BELLS BEING DISTRIBUTED TO DATE AND OVER 200 MOSAIC KINDNESS MURALS INSTALLED.
  2. $87,618 spent. EDUCATION (KIND CAMPUS)OUR KIND CAMPUS PROGRAM OFFERS FREE, RESEARCH-BASED CURRICULUM TO ANY SCHOOL THAT WISHES TO PARTICIPATE. KIND CAMPUS PROVIDES RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES THAT HELP FOSTER EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND A POSITIVE SCHOOL CULTURE. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN USED IN SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE WORLD AND HAS SERVED OVER 100,000 INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS ANNUALLY.
  3. $198,414 spent. MERCHANDISEOUR MERCHANDISE PROGRAM NOT ONLY HELPS FUND OUR INITIATIVES BUT ALSO EXTENDS OUR MESSAGE INTO EVERYDAY LIFE. EACH ITEM IS THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED AND PRODUCED TO BE A TOOL FOR KINDNESS OR A VISUAL REMINDER. MANY ITEMS ARE MADE DIRECTLY IN OUR STUDIO, AND ANY THAT ARE NOT ARE SOURCED THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES. THROUGH OUR MERCHANDISE PROGRAM, OVER 10,000 CUSTOMERS HAVE BROUGHT VISUAL REMINDERS INTO THEIR HOMES AND WORKPLACES AS WELL AS GIFTED THEM TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 December 2005.

    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.

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.