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Bridges to Burkina Inc

EIN 82-1916042 · Wildwood, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE RELIEF OF POVERTY AND THE PROVISION OF ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION THROUGH RELIGION IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA. THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO SUPPORT, IN PARTICULAR, THE MEANS AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS FOR EDUCATION IN BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND ORPHANS WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF RELIGION, NATIONALITY, AND PUBLIC OPINION APART FROM ANY CONSIDERATION OF RACE, GENDER, BELIEF AND POLITICAL OPINION, THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS AND A CRAFT LEARNING CENTER SUCH AS SEWING, CARPENTRY, FARMING AND A MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE MINIMUM CARE OF STUDENTS AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT THEIR EXPENSE.

Income
$230,170
Spending
$103,338
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $59,134 spent. THE SCHOOL THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES FOR CHILDREN IS AT TANGHIN-DASSOURI, BURKINA FASO, CALLED THE "KOUKA MARY ACADEMY." BY LAW, EDUCATION IS FREE IN BURKINA FASO, BUT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO GUARANTEE FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION. THE ORGANIZATION, THROUGH THE KOUKA MARY ACADEMY, DELIVERS QUALITY EDUCATION BY FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM IN CORE SUBJECTS SUCH AS READING, WRITING, AND MATHEMATICS, WHILE ALSO OFFERING ENRICHED PROGRAMS INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY, ENGLISH, AND HANDS-ON GARDEN INITIATIVE THAT TEACHES AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK CARE, AND PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS.
  2. $5,628 spent. SUSTAINABLE FARMING PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM OPERATES IN A COUPLE OF VILLAGES IN THE BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES WATER SOURCING, AREA FENCING AND LABOR [AS NEEDED], SEEDS, FERTILIZER, TOOLS AND OTHER MATERIALS, AND HOUSING AND STORAGE FOR THE CROPS THAT ARE GROWN. THE WOMEN WILL SELL A PORTION OF THEIR HARVEST IN THE LOCAL MARKET. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HOPE ALONG WITH THE SKILLS NEEDED IN AGRICULTURE. ONE PARTICULAR FOCUS IS ON INTENTIONALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE FLEEING INSURGENT-CONTROLLED AREAS.
  3. $2,945 spent. CARPENTRY PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2025 AND IS AN ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND CONDUCTING A BUSINESS IN CARPENTRY. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN USED TO BUILD CHAIRS AND DESKS FOR THE ACADEMY.
  4. $1,639 spent. SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE WOMEN WITH 75% OF THE COST OF TWO LIVESTOCK ANIMALS [SUCH AS GOATS OR LAMBS], ACCESS TO VETERINARY CARE AT A MINIMUM COST, AND TRAINING IN NOURISHING AND FEEDING THE ANIMALS. THE WOMEN WILL PROVIDE THE REMAINING 25% AS THEIR INVESTMENT SO AS TO HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM. THE WOMEN WILL NOURISH AND FEED THE ANIMALS FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AND THEN SELL THEM WHEN THE MARKET VALUE IS PROFITABLE. THE ORGANIZATION'S ORIGINAL INVESTMENT PLUS 5% OF THE PROFIT WILL BE RETURNED TO THE ORGANIZATION.
  5. $445 spent. LIVING ABOVE THE DIRT - THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP FAMILIES OBTAIN CONCRETE FLOORING IN THEIR HOMES FOR BETTER HEALTH AND TO HELP BUILD THEIR SELF-ESTEEM. THE PARASITIC INSECT, NAME "BOUGLEE" IN THE NATIVE LANGUAGE, LIVES IN THE DIRT AND FEEDS ON LIVE FLESH. SLEEPING ON THE DIRT FLOOR OF THEIR MUD BRICK HOMES, THE PEOPLE ARE REGULARLY SUBJECTED TO THE INSECTS BORING INTO THEIR SKIN, CAUSING BOTH PAIN AND INFECTION AND REQUIRING FREQUENT TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CEMENT AND THE VILLAGE PEOPLE PROVIDE THE SAND AND GRAVEL NEEDED TO CREATE A STRONG CONCRETE MIX. THEY ALSO PROVIDE ALL THE LABOR FOR MIXING AND POURING THE CONCRETE.

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

  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 2025.

    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 March 2019.

    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.