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Bethlehem Baptist Church

EIN 91-1098782 · Tacoma, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE WILL IN ALL ASPECTS OF MINISTRY STRIVE TO REACH THE NON-BELIEVERS, CONNECT THEM WITH DISCIPLES WHO WILL HELP THEM TO GROW IN LOVE, ACT IN FAITH, DISCOVER THEIR GIFT/S AND HONOR THE "BODY OF CHRIST" ACCORDING TO THE FOUNDATION OF GOD'S WORD.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
21
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$46,292, chairperson

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

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 72 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 11 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $543,318 spent. THE CHURCH MINISTERS, SERVES, AND WORKS WITHIN THE MISSION STEPS TO ACCOMPLISH THE VISION.FOR THE YEAR OF 2025, THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH HAS GROWN BY ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT (128) NEW MEMBERS. OF THE NEW MEMBERS, SEVENTY-FIVE (75) HAVE COMPLETED OUR NEW MEMBERS ORIENTATION. WE HAVE BAPTIZED THIRTY-ONE (31) NEW MEMBERS FOR THE YEAR.OUR CHURCH MOTTO IS "WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER" OF WHICH, WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN EACH MEMBER OPERATES ACCORDING TO THEIR SPIRITUAL GIFTEDNESS, THE BODY OF CHRIST OPERATES AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH. THEREFORE, WE SOLICIT ALL MEMBERS TO BECOME A PART OF ONE OF THE MANY CHURCH MINISTRIES FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH AND FOR THE GLORIFICATION OF GOD. TO DATE, WE ARE BLESSED TO REPORT MANY OF OUR NEW MEMBERS HAVE SHOWN AN EAGERNESS TO BECOME AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE VISION AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH.IN OUR EFFORTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WHEREIN WE ARE LOCATED AND TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, WE ADMINISTER THE FOLLOWING MINISTRY EFFORTS: COMMUNITY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, COMMUNITY CLOTHES CLOSET, IN-HOUSE BENEVOLENCE ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, ADDICTION AND RECOVERY INTERVENTION, LIFE COACHING, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT EMPOWERMENT, SENIOR CARE AND ENRICHMENT, PARTNERING WITH BATES TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO PROVIDE SPACE TO SERVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH THEIR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ECEAP) AS WELL AS SUPPORTING OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.
  2. $916,222 spent. THE BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY SHELTER HOUSED 919 INDIVIDUALS PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING, HELP WITH GETTING EMPLOYED, GETTING CHILDREN ENROLLED IN SCHOOL OR DAYCARE, OBTAINING SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS, APPLYING FOR DSHS BENEFITS, GETTING MEDICAL CARE, PROVIDING THREE MEALS A DAY, AND HELPING 135 RESIDENTS FIND PERMANENT HOUSING.BETHLEHEM'S AFFORDABLE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED 80% OF THE PREDEVELOPMENT WORK. THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS, MARKET STUDIES, AND ENGINEERING STUDIES NEARED COMPLETION. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT AWARDED THE PROJECT A DIRECT APPROPRIATION HOUSING TRUST FUND (HTF) AWARD AND A CONNECTING TO HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE (CHIP) GRANT TO SUPPORT BUILDING THE 44-UNIT MULTI-FAMILY COMPLEX.SHELTER - $949,738DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE HOUSING TRUST FUND - $2,250,400DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHIP - $341,241.43
  3. THE CHURCH RECEIVED ONE GRANT TO UPGRADE THE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN IN MAIN BUILDING. THE UPGRADES REPLACED FLOORS AND CABINETS. AN ADDITIONAL GRANT HELPED REMODEL THE CHILDREN'S ROOM AND REPLACE FLOORS IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF CHURCH.TACOMA URBAN LEAGUE BLACK FUND GRANT - $10,000TACOMA MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE GRANT - $22,864.75

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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 July 1991.

    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.