Bending the Bars Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Build the Blueprint - will include payroll for facilitator and housing staff gas supplies and GTL; services would include facilitating an eight-week program to at-risk youth as an alternative or preventive method to detention the program addresses a pre-assessment interactive listening active case files scenarios ACEs assessments establishment of a tailored blueprint for success resources and wraparound services and post-assessment; the program was created late 2025 and has not completed any courses we are currently promoting the program at events schools probation offices and detention centers. Back to Basics - will include payroll for facilitator and housing staff gas supplies; services would include facilitating an eight-week program to returning citizens within Department of Corrections and in the community the program addresses pre-assessment integration back into society relationships mental health technology employment budgeting housing and education and p
- Income
- $4,516
- Spending
- $4,065
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 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)
- $4,065 spent. Back to Basics - will include payroll for facilitator and housing staff gas supplies; services would include facilitating an eight-week program to returning citizens within Department of Corrections and in the community the program addresses pre-assessment integration back into society relationships mental health technology employment budgeting housing and education and post assessment; the program was created late 2025 and has completed one session resulting in determining the proper career choice resume composition we are currenting promoting the program to the Director of Programs in DOC and re-entry home owners. STOP Steadily Thinking Outside of Prison - will include payroll for facilitator gas and supplies; services would include facilitating a seven-week program to incarcerated individuals with long term sentences the program addresses pre-assessment how to process their sentence how to adjust to the environment how to respond to peer pressure relationships staying ready self-love and reflection and wraparound sources; the program was created late 2025 and has been implemented in Fluvanna Correctional Center with 50 participants
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2024 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2024.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.