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Brainy Ridge Inc

EIN 99-1298587 · Bethesda, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION IS TO PROVIDE YOUTH WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES A SAFE, POSITIVE, AND COHESIVE COMMUNITY THAT INSTILLS HOPE, BELONGING, AND EMPOWERMENT. WE OFFER CONDITION-SPECIFIC RESIDENTIAL AND FAMILY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS INCLUDING CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, NEUROFIBROMATOSIS, TYPE 1 DIABETES, EPILEPSY, AND AUTISM, AS WELL AS YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT GROUPS, A TEEN LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM, AND A TRANSITIONAL YOUTH PROGRAM

Income
$311,782
Spending
$253,768
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
13
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$89,566, director/founder

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 116% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 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 January 31, 2026, 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. $202,772 spent. PROVIDED CONDITION-SPECIFIC RESIDENTIAL AND FAMILY CAMP PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS INCLUDING CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, NEUROFIBROMATOSIS, TYPE 1 DIABETES, EPILEPSY, AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER . DURING THE 2025 CAMP SEASON, BRAINY RIDGE EXPANDED FROM 2 PILOT SESSIONS TO 4 FULL CAMP SESSIONS, SERVING OVER 140 CAMPERS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, AND THE NETHERLANDS. WE ALSO LAUNCHED 2 NEW FAMILY CAMPS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY TYPE 1 DIABETES AND CONGENITAL HEART CONDITIONS PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO CAREGIVERS AND SIBLINGS. OVER 50 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO ENSURE NO CHILD WAS TURNED AWAY DUE TO FINANCIAL NEED. ALL CAMP PROGRAMS WERE MEDICALLY SUPERVISED BY MORE THAN 25 HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
  2. $3,287 spent. PROVIDED A 7-MONTH TEEN LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP ADOLESCENTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS DEVELOP CONFIDENCE COMMUNICATION, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS. THE PROGRAM TRAINS TEENS TO SERVE AS PEER COUNSELORS, GIVING THEM THE SKILLS AND TOOLS TO HELP SUPPORT AND REDUCE THE SOCIAL ISOLATION EXPERIENCED BY CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS BRAINY RIDGE ALSO PROVIDED A TRANSITIONAL YOUTH PROGRAM SUPPORTING YOUNG ADULTS WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AS THEY NAVIGATE INTO THE ADULT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. DURING THE 2025 SEASON, 7 FORMER CAMPERS JOINED AS FIRST-TIME COUNSELORS, BRINGING LEADERSHIP AND LIVED EXPERIENCE TO EVERY CABIN AND ACTIVITY THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, AND ADVOCATES
  3. $3,286 spent. PROVIDED YEAR-ROUND ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR CHILDREN, YOUNG ADULTS, AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS MAINTAINING COMMUNITY CONNECTION AND PEER SUPPORT OUTSIDE OF THE CAMP SEASON. BRAINY RIDGE ALSO MAINTAINED ONGOING OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION WITH ITS COMMUNITY OF CAMPERS, FAMILIES, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS THROUGH NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND DIRECT ENGAGEMENT. THESE EFFORTS ENSURED THAT CAMPERS AND FAMILIES REMAINED CONNECTED TO THE BRAINY RIDGE COMMUNITY YEAR-ROUND AND WERE INFORMED OF UPCOMING PROGRAMS, REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITIES, AND SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABILITY BRAINY RIDGE PARTNERED WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO EXTEND REACH AND SUPPORT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, 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? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending January 2026.

    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 March 2024.

    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.