Dietrich Bonhoeffer Academy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Academy (DBA) is an independent middle school dedicated to supporting our students in the present while preparing them for success in the future. DBA exists to provide a nurturing, student-centered community where middle schoolers flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. We offer a challenging curriculum emphasizing the acquisition of organizational skills delivered in an engaging, collaborative environment that encourages the development of strong social skills. By recognizing and meeting the unique needs of early adolescents, our learning program equips students to thrive in college preparatory high schools and beyond. Our mission is to inspire students to develop courage, integrity, and compassion-equipping them to lead with purpose, think critically, and serve joyfully.
- Income
- $265,390
- Spending
- $267,806
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 76%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 36
- Highest pay
- $86,592, head of school
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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 69% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% 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: 46 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $157,426 spent. The largest expense for Dietrich Bonhoeffer Academy (DBA) during the past tax year was related to faculty staffing (employee salaries). At the start of the school's third full school year, DBA continued to employ its full-time Head of School who brings 20 years of teaching and administrative experience to the position. Along with managing and overseeing the school's operations, the Head of School also provided History and English Language Arts (ELA) instruction. DBA increased staffing from the prior school year from two to four part-time teachers. First, DBA added a science teacher with decades of experience and certifications with the National Math and Science Initiative to lead and advance the science program. They took over science instruction and curriculum development for all three grade levels. Next, DBA added an accomplished photographer and arts teacher to lead and develop the arts program. They also served in several instructional capacities during the afternoon learning period, taking over the social-emotional learning program by utilizing the resources of TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention). DBA continued to retain the Math and Spanish teachers from the prior school year, both of whom possess numerous years of middle school teaching experience to continue to build and advance the curriculum and instruction of those programs. Finally, due to enrollment increases during the school year, DBA also hired one additional part-time teachers aid during the spring semester. The staffing increases allowed the Head of School to reduce his course load and provide more effective leadership of the school. DBA serves middle school students in grades 6-8, and enrollment at the start of the school fall semester consisted of 12 students (4 in grade 6, 5 in grade 7, 3 in grade 8). The school spring semester saw enrollment changes by adding seven new students (3 in grade 6, 2 in grade 7, 2 in grade 8) with one 6th grade student leaving. DBA looks forward to further expanding its faculty as more students enroll.
- $19,748 spent. The second largest expense for Dietrich Bonhoeffer Academy (DBA) during the past tax year was related to occupancy or facility tenant rent. DBA continued to be housed on the campus of Faith Lutheran Church of Bellaire, TX, and continued to utilize two rooms as classrooms with the occasional use of a third room. The rent also included use of an outdoor green space as its playground area and access to the church gymnasium twice a week. DBA compensated Faith Lutheran a monthly rent for the months of the school year (August '24 - May '25) and for the summer break (June '25 - July '25) to ensure the rooms used as classrooms were not utilized by the church during this period. In addition to rent, DBA paid property insurance as well. For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, DBA expects to continue to grow the enrollment number of students. As a result, DBA plans to again be housed on the campus of Faith Lutheran Church for the next school year and continue to utilize the current two rooms with the addition of at least 2 more rooms. As a result, DBA would expect to pay a higher amount of rent for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
- $16,750 spent. The third largest expense for Dietrich Bonhoeffer Academy (DBA) during the past tax year was related to school field trips. These consisted of partial day field trips to 1) Houston Museum of Natural Science and Museum of Fine Arts Houston (9/19/24) where students were introduced to the exceptional artistic, scientific, and cultural exhibits at their local museums, 2) George Ranch Historical Park (11/22/24) where students interacted with docents in live exhibits on different eras of settlement in Texas/American history, 3) Bonhoeffer Movie (12/3/24) where students viewed the dramatic film on life and faith of the school's namesake, 4) Houston Farmers Market (12/13/24) where students practiced Spanish speaking skills and shopped for ingredients for their Hispanic food projects, 5) Lone Star Flight Museum (3/7/25) where students participated in aeronautics-based science activities and learned about aviation history, 6) The Health Museum (4/3/25) where students participated in a lab demonstration on cardiovascular health and explored the resources of the museum on physical health, and 7) Hawaiian Fluid Art (5/15/25) where students created individual artistic works based on the unique fluid art technique under the supervision of art professionals. In addition, DBA went on an "Explore Our Gulf Shores" road trip (4/13/25 - 4/17/25) where the school took an unforgettable journey from the bayou to the barrier islands. Students explored swamps, toured vibrant New Orleans, and took part in hands-on science labs at the Gulf Coast Research Lab of the University of Southern Mississippi. Students also went on a fishing trip to the Chandelier Islands. For the next school year, DBA looks to have at least one partial day field trip every month in addition to having an annual road trip which is expected to increase field trip expenses.
- $30,129 spent. The remaining Dietrich Bonhoeffer Academy (DBA) expenses during the past tax year can be broken down as follows; 1) Admissions/Advertising ($9,063) defined as digital advertising, local advertising, and consulting services, 2) Student Instruction and Classroom/School Activities ($8,190) defined as school curriculum, text books, and instructional aids, library books, school apparel, athletic activities/fees, student recognition events, yearbook activities, and miscellaneous student expenses, 3) School Supplies/Office ($6,372) defined as classroom supplies and materials, play/athletic supplies, copy paper and printing, and equipment lease (school copy machine), 4) Administration ($3,033) defined as mailbox fees and legal fees, 5) Technology ($1,813) defined as web and domain services, Google Space account, Microsoft Workspace account, phone and voicemail service, and miscellaneous technology fees, and 6) Insurance ($1,388) defined as General Liability (excludes $648 property insurance included in occupancy or facility tenant rent), workers' compensation, and Directors & Officers Liability.
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
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 June 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 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.