Belafonte Family Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE BELAFONTE FAMILY FOUNDATION'S (BFF), MISSION IS TO CREATE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED, MARGINALIZED YOUTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS RACIAL, GENDER, AND ECONOMIC LINES. THE BELAFONTE FAMILY FOUNDATION OFFERS PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMMING ANDRESOURCES WITH A DEMAND FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. AS A FAMILY HAVING SPENT A LIFETIME SERVING OTHERS, THE BELAFONTE FAMILY FOUNDATION HAS TAKEN A MULTI-GENERATIONAL APPROACH TO PHILANTHROPY WITH PILLARS IN AREAS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESS.WHILE THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF GLOBAL, HARMONIOUS CO-EXISTENCE SHOULD BE PURSUED, A MASSIVE, IMBALANCED PLAYING FIELD EXISTS WHERE EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITY, HEALTH AND WELL BEING ARE SEEMINGLY INACCESSIBLE TO A MASSIVE SWATH OF OUR FELLOW HUMANS. BFF LOOKS TO DO ITS UTMOST TO HELP LEVEL THAT FIELD, CREATE ACCESS AND OFFER PATHWAYS FORWARD TO A BETTER LIFE.
- Income
- $25,063
- Spending
- $225,971
- Reserves
- 14.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $99,000, president/exec director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 802% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- $102,254 spent. BRIGHT ROAD MENTORING AND MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAMIN KEEPING WITH A COMMON THREAD OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS THROUGHOUT ITS PROGRAMS, THE BELAFONTE FAMILY FOUNDATION'S BRIGHT ROAD MENTORING PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE FIND THEIR WAY IN A WORLD THAT IS, FOR MANY, A GAUNTLET OF SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE CHALLENGES. FINDING A BASELINE OF STABILITY IS A CRITICAL PIECE OF A YOUNG PERSON'S HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. DELIVERED THROUGH A MARTIAL ARTS-BASED CURRICULUM, THE INITIATIVE WAS CREATED AS AN ALTERNATIVE PATH TO A POSITIVE LIFESTYLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GREAT NEED TO BE PART OF A GROUP, AND OFTEN CHOOSE THE WRONG GROUP SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THIS VERY REAL NEED FOR SUPPORT FROM PEERS AND ELDERS, EVEN IF THAT CHOICE PUTS THEM ON A WRONG PATH. WHEN PRACTICED WITH COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY, THE BENEFITS OF A MARTIAL ARTS LIFESTYLE TEACHES COMMITMENT TO SELF-DISCOVERY, ACCEPTANCE, CONTROL, AND RESPECT FOR AN ENLIGHTENING WAY OF LIFE FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IT. BRIGHT ROAD IS A WAY TO REACH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THEY POSSIBLY ENGAGE IN POTENTIALLY NEGATIVE LIFE-ALTERING BEHAVIOR.THE BRIGHT ROAD MARTIAL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS QUALIFYING AT-RISK-YOUTH IN MARTIAL ARTS MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS ACROSS MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES, PARTNERED WITH RENOWNED ACADEMIES AND INSTRUCTORS. FOR THE PAST THREE SUMMERS, WE HAVE BROUGHT OUR MARTIAL ARTS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM TO CAMPERS FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN THE BRONX. MARTIAL ARTS AS A LIFESTYLE IS AN INCREDIBLY POWERFUL WAY TO FIND PURPOSE AND MENTAL STRENGTH TO BECOME THE BEST YOU CAN BE FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS. IT IS MUCH LESS ABOUT COMBAT SKILLS THAN ABOUT SENSE OF SELF AND MENTAL SURVIVAL SKILLS. COMMITMENT TO A MARTIAL ARTS DISCIPLINE CAN BE A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE THAT CAN BECOME AN INTEGRAL LIFESTYLE COMPONENT ESPECIALLY FOR AT RISK YOUTH WHO ARE LONGING FOR PURPOSE, SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND ROOM FOR SELF DISCOVERY. HERE THEY LEARN SELF CONTROL, SELF RESPECT, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, AND ENGAGE IN TEAM ORIENTED TRAINING. MARTIAL ARTS REQUIRES THAT YOU PUSH YOUR LIMITS RESULTING IN GREAT SELF DISCOVERY,INCREASED FOCUS ON INNER BEING AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF THE MIND ANDBODY.
- $52,093 spent. TIC TALK SPACE IS A VIRTUAL SAFE SPACE FOR TWEENS AND TEENS EXPOSED TO BULLYING, ABUSE OR OTHER FACILITATORS OF DEPRESSION, FEAR, AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH PEERMENTORS IN A GAMING FORUM, MENTORS THAT ARE SUPPORTED AND TRAINED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS. HERE THE YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL SAFE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR WEEK AND SUBSEQUENTLY THEIR EXPERIENCES AND IT BECOMES A FOCAL POINT TO HOLD ON IN THEIR LIVES WHERE MANY FEEL UTTERLY ALONE, INFERIOR, AND SOME BATTLE WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL THEY CANNOT TALK TO THEIR PARENTS ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS OF DEPRESSION. SOMETIMES PARENTS ARE THE CATALYSTS OF THEIR FEAR AND SOMETIMES ADULTS PROVOKE AN INTIMIDATION FACTOR WHICH IS WHY THIS FORUM IS RUN BY PEERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. A PSYCHOLOGIST IS ON CALL DURING MEETINGS, AND WILL PERIODICALLY JOIN THE ON-LINE FORUM. ADDITIONALLY, THE SPACE HAS EXPANDED TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS SUFFERING FROM SELF HARMING THOUGHT AND ATTEMPTS. WE SUPPORT THEM, THEIR FAMILIES, AND HELP FINANCIALLY THOSE IN NEED DURING HOLIDAYS AND HARD TIMES.
- $32,910 spent. BRIGHT ROAD FARMS (BRF) IS A NEW TYPE OF URBAN INDOOR FARMING INITIATIVE THAT WILL GROW AND SUPPLY LOCALLY GROWN GREENS AND HERBS TO RESIDENTS, SCHOOLS, AND THOSE IN NEED IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, FOOD DESERTS, AND AREAS WITH FOOD INSECURITY VIA A STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING CURRICULUM AND MOBILE, VERTICAL PRODUCTION FARMS. BELAFONTE FAMILY FOUNDATION IS DESIGNING A DISTRIBUTED FARMING NETWORK IN COOPERATION WITH FREIGHT FARMS, INC. TO DELIVER ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD AND INCREASED FOOD SUPPLY, BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GROW FOOD YEAR-ROUND IN ANY CLIMATE ANYWHERE. THE BRIGHT ROAD CONTAINER FARM INITIATIVE ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THESE SUSTAINABLE AND SCALABLE GROWING PROJECTS. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NYC MAYOR'S OFFICE BFF IS DEVELOPING AN EXTENSIVE VERTICAL FARMING INITIATIVE FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN NYC. IN ADDITION FOOD FOR THOUGHT IS AN INNOVATIVE "FARM TO CITY TO TABLE" THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNG ADULTS. THIS PROGRAM SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATES CULINARY EXPERTISE WITH EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, FOSTERING COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES, CULINARY EXPERIENCE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATED SKILLS AND BUSINESS ACUMEN. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS PROGRAM'S VERSATILITY CAN BE SEEN IN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH AVENUES FOR JUSTICE (NYC) WHERE WE ARE HOSTING A 7-WEEK "FOOD FOR THOUGHT" COOKING WORKSHOP, OFFERING A UNIQUE AND THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCE TAILORED TO YOUNG ADULTS, BLENDING CULINARY SKILLS WITH EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING. LED BY CLINICALLY LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER JUDY ROSCH WHO IS BRINGING TOGETHER HER EXPERIENCE AND PASSION FOR COOKING, THE PROGRAM WILL FOSTER CREATIVITY AND MINDFULNESS ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES WHILE LEARNING TO PREPARE NUTRITIOUS MEALS. THROUGH THE ART OF COOKING, PARTICIPANTS WILL BUILD CONFIDENCE, DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND LEARN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS WHILE EXPLORING WAYS TO MANAGE AND BALANCE THEIR EMOTIONS. THE ACT OF PREPARING FOOD BECOMES A POWERFUL OUTLET FOR SELF-DISCOVERY AND STRESS RELIEF, MAKING IT AN EFFECTIVE FORM OF THERAPY THAT NOURISHES BOTH THE BODY, THE MIND AND THE SOUL. IN ADDITION TO THE WORKSHOP, WEEKLY INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING IS OFFERED FOR EVERY PARTICIPANT.
- $9,253 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMIN THE EVER-NEGLECTED WORLD OF EDUCATION, THE FOUNDATION HAS CREATED ITS BRIGHT ROAD SCHOLARSHIPS, FOCUSED ON A SELECT GROUP OF YOUNG, DESERVING STUDENTS IN EDUCATION, THE PERFORMING ARTS, AND MARTIAL ARTS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF EDUCATIONAL MERIT AND ECONOMIC NEED. UNDERSERVED STUDENTS (BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL), HIGH ACHIEVERS, AND LOW INCOME ARE THE PRIMARY FOCUS FOR THE RECIPIENTS.ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPSIN RECOGNITION OF HARRY BELAFONTE'S ROOTS AND LEGACY, WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO AT-RISK AND UNDERSERVED STUDENTS RESIDING IN SOME OF THE MOST IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES IN THE CARIBBEAN. THESE STUDENTS ARE AWARDED FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO PRESTIGIOUS REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES, ENABLING THEM TO PURSUE THEIR ACADEMIC ASPIRATIONS. WE ANNUALLY SUPPORT MULTIPLE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR ACADEMIC JOURNEY, WHICH MAY EXTEND FROM TWO TO SEVEN YEARS. UPON EACH STUDENT'S GRADUATION, WE EXTEND ANOTHER FULL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP TO A DESERVING NEW STUDENT. OUR COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT ENCOMPASSES ALL UNIVERSITY TUITION COSTS, AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, TEXTBOOKS, CLOTHING, AND ENROLLMENT FEES. PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIPSWE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS FROM FAMILIES WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO PARTICIPATE IN EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS, INCLUDING RENOWNED WORKS LIKE "RENT AND "CHICAGO." EACH PRODUCTION ENTAILS A THREE-MONTH COMMITMENT, INVOLVING THREE TO FOUR REHEARSALS PER WEEK, CULMINATING IN FIVE TO SEVEN PERFORMANCES IN FULLY STAGED THEATERS. EACH PRODUCTION FEATURES A CAST OF APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 YOUNG INDIVIDUALS AND A BACKSTAGE TEAM OF 20 TO 30. THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY BFFS EXTENDS BEYOND INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS, IMPACTING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 2024.
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 March 2021.
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.