Passes our checks

Be Free Kc

EIN 83-1910146 · Merriam, KS

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

What it says it does

By expanding access to whole-human resources, we support each person as they navigate a substance-free lifestyle.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

Reserves
10 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 51% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
4 of 5 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
0 of 5
Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$228,502 spent. Be Free KC is committed to developing innovative initiatives that create meaningful, measurable change in recovery outcomes across Kansas City. In 2025, the organization achieved several significant milestones. Be Free KC maintained 90% or greater occupancy across its men's recovery homes and attained an 88% success rate among members who remained in the program for at least 31 days. Additionally, despite the unexpected loss of approximately $300,000 in awarded grant funding from KDADS in March due to federal DOGE-related cuts, the organization successfully navigated the funding shortfall and sustained a strong, thriving housing program. Another major accomplishment was securing approximately $20 million in State of Missouri funding to support the Recovery High School initiative, which is scheduled to open in August 2026. This investment represents a transformative step forward in expanding recovery support and educational opportunities for young people in the region.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 July 2019.
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.