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Bright Beginnings

EIN 84-1382420 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LANTERN'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A BRIGHT BEGINNING FOR EVERY CHILD TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING FAMILIES WITH TRUSTED INFORMATION AND CONNECTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
13.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
6
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$212,083, president &

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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, 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)
  1. $1.5 million spent. LANTERN DELIVERS TRUSTED, EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION TO PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS THROUGH A FREE TEXT MESSAGING PROGRAM. EACH MESSAGE PROVIDES AGE- AND DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE GUIDANCE, PRACTICAL TIPS, ACTIVITIES, AND CONNECTIONS TO TRUSTED RESOURCES, WITH LINKS TO LANDING PAGES WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, VIDEOS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. MESSAGES ARE TAILORED TO THE CHILD'S AGE AND STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND CAN ALSO BE CUSTOMIZED BASED ON A FAMILY'S ZIP CODE TO PROVIDE LOCAL RESOURCES, EVENTS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION. IN ADDITION TO ITS CORE AGE-BASED PROGRAM, LANTERN OFFERS SPECIALIZED CONTENT CHANNELS ADDRESSING TOPICS SUCH AS PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH, FOOD SECURITY, AUTISM, FEEDING, AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILY, FRIEND, AND NEIGHBOR CAREGIVERS. LANTERN SERVES CAREGIVERS IN ALL 50 STATES WITH TRUSTED RESEARCH-BASED CONTENT AND LOCALIZED COMMUNITY INFORMATION. DURING 2025, LANTERN PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 100 ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVED MORE THAN 565,000 FAMILIES NATIONWIDE. LANTERN DELIVERS TRUSTED, EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION TO PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS THROUGH A FREE TEXT MESSAGING PROGRAM. EACH MESSAGE PROVIDES AGE- AND DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE GUIDANCE, PRACTICAL TIPS, ACTIVITIES, AND CONNECTIONS TO TRUSTED RESOURCES, WITH LINKS TO LANDING PAGES WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, VIDEOS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. MESSAGES ARE TAILORED TO THE CHILD'S AGE AND STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND CAN ALSO BE CUSTOMIZED BASED ON A FAMILY'S ZIP CODE TO PROVIDE LOCAL RESOURCES, EVENTS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION. IN ADDITION TO ITS CORE AGE-BASED PROGRAM, LANTERN OFFERS SPECIALIZED CONTENT CHANNELS ADDRESSING TOPICS SUCH AS PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH, FOOD SECURITY, AUTISM, FEEDING, AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILY, FRIEND, AND NEIGHBOR CAREGIVERS. LANTERN SERVES CAREGIVERS IN ALL 50 STATES WITH TRUSTED RESEARCH-BASED CONTENT AND LOCALIZED COMMUNITY INFORMATION. DURING 2025, LANTERN PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 100 ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVED MORE THAN 565,000 FAMILIES NATIONWIDE.

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 April 1997.

    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.