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Blue Star Families Inc

EIN 80-0369895 · Encinitas, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BLUE STAR FAMILIES IS COMMITTED TO CONNECTING ONE ANOTHER THROUGH THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF MILITARY SERVICE AND ASKING THE LARGER CIVILIAN POPULATION TO HELP AS WELL, STRENGTHENING MILITARY FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF RANK, BRANCH OF SERVICE OR PHYSICAL LOCATION, AND LEADING MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS TOWARDS OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD STRENGTH IN INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH LOCAL CHAPTER-BASED COMMUNITY EVENTS AND BY SERVING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN FAMILIES AND SUPPORT AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE STRIVING TOHELP MAKE MILITARY LIFE MORE SUSTAINABLE. THROUGH OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT WITH NATIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, BLUE STAR FAMILIES WORKS HAND IN HAND TO SHARE THE PRIDE OF SERVICE, PROMOTE HEALTHIER FAMILIES, AID IN OUR MILITARY READINESS AND CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COUNTRY'S STRENGTH.

Income
$41.6 million
Spending
$23.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
111
Volunteers
289
Highest pay
$485,418, president & ceo

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 44% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 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 (3)
  1. $15.1 million spent. COMMUNITIES - BLUE STAR FAMILIES, INC. DESIGNS AND DELIVERS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE GEARED FOR THE MILITARY COMMUNITY. SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT AND THE BSF CAREERS PROGRAM SUPPORTS SPOUSES THROUGH THEIR CAREER JOURNEY AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR MILITARY SPOUSES TO DEVELOP NETWORKS AND ACCESS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING RESOURCES. BLUE STAR MUSEUMS OFFERS FREE ADMISSION TO MORE THAN 2,000 MUSEUMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY EACH SUMMER. BLUE STAR BOOKS ON BASES DONATES BOOKS TO MILITARY CHILDREN, BASE LIBRARIES,DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SCHOOLS, AND MILITARY-IMPACTED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES AROUND THE WORLD. CAREGIVERS PROGRAMMING PROVIDES ONGOING RESOURCES TO BUILD RESILIENCY AND THE COPING SKILLS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE RIGORS OF THE CAREGIVERS' DAY-TO-DAY LIFESTYLE. BLUE STAR FAMILIES LAUNCHED SEVERAL PHYSICAL CHAPTERS IN LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES DIRECTLY TO MILITARY FAMILIES.
  2. $1.1 million spent. RESEARCH AND POLICY - BLUE STAR FAMILIES, INC., AS PART OF ITS CENTRAL MISSION TO CONNECT, ENGAGE, AND EMPOWER MILITARY FAMILIES, CONDUCTS IN-DEPTH RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE THAT AFFECT THE MILITARY FAMILY COMMUNITY. ANNUAL MILITARY LIFESTYLE SURVEY: THE BLUE STAR FAMILIES ANNUAL MILITARY FAMILY LIFESTYLE SURVEY (AMFLS) PROVIDES DEEP AND VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE TRUE COSTS OF SUSTAINING OUR NATION'S ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE AND PROVIDES THE VEHICLE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES' VOICES TO BE HEARD BY KEY DECISION-MAKERS. WHITE OAK: THE PURPOSE OF THE WHITE OAK RETREATS IS TO ENCOURAGE CREATIVE THINKING AND FACILITATE SOLUTIONS THAT REQUIRE COLLABORATION BOTH WITHIN AND BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, NON-PROFIT, AND INDEPENDENT SECTORS IN THE MILITARY FAMILY SPACE.
  3. $3.4 million spent. TECHNOLOGY ENGAGEMENT - BLUE STAR FAMILIES, INC. LEVERAGES STATE OF THE ART OUTREACH AND INFORMATION CHANNELS TO CONNECT WITH MILITARY FAMILIES AROUND THE WORLD. MILITARY FAMILIES ARE ENGAGED THROUGH OUR ONLINE RESOURCES, ONLINE WEBINARS, ONLINE MENTORING, VIRTUAL HANG-OUTS,FACEBOOK LIVE AND STREAMING EVENTS, AND, A VARIETY OF OTHER TECHNOLOGY POINTS. THIS ALLOWS MILITARY FAMILIES TO ACCESS BLUE STAR FAMILIES AND ITS RESOURCES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

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 2024.

    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 September 2009.

    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.