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Passes our checks

Bold Foundation Inc

EIN 84-2719715 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceWeak42 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BOLD FOUNDATION INC STRIVES TO GIVE EVERYONE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION. IT USES ITS ONLINE PLATFORM TO CONNECT DONORS AND STUDENTS TO SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. THE PLATFORM CREATES A SEAMLESS WAY FOR DONORS TO LAUNCH THEIR OWN SCHOLARSHIPS AND FUNDRAISERS WITH THE GOAL OF FUNDING EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS.

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$5.7 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 98% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    2 of 2 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (1)
  1. $5.6 million spent. THE BOLD FOUNDATION INC.'S PRIMARY PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS THROUGH DONOR-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATION-RELATED AWARDS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE FOUNDATION FACILITATED SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO MORE THAN 2,300 STUDENTS, HELPING REDUCE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO EDUCATION AND SUPPORT STUDENTS IN PURSUING SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE BOLD FOUNDATION INC. EXPANDED ITS PROGRAM SERVICES TO ACCEPT UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE DONATIONS. THESE FUNDS SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION'S OVERALL MISSION BY STRENGTHENING OPERATIONAL CAPACITY, SCALING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, AND INCREASING ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL FUNDING FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENT POPULATIONS. THE BOLD FOUNDATION INC. ALSO OPERATES DONOR-DIRECTED SCHOLARSHIP AND FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS TO CREATE AND FUND SCHOLARSHIPS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, APPROXIMATELY 7,400 DONORS PARTICIPATED IN THE PLATFORM AND HELPED LAUNCH OVER 1,300 SCHOLARSHIPS AND OVER 500 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS IN SUPPORT OF STUDENT EDUCATION.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 December 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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Boston Foundation Inc (Boston, MA), EIN 04-2104021. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.