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Boston Bar Foundation INC

Tax-deductible

Boston, MA501(c)(3)Since 1957Crime & Legal EIN 04-6111344Revenue $3.9M in FY2025

On file with the IRSbostonbarfoundation.org16 Beacon St, 02108-3772 · Boston, MATax-exempt since Aug 1945Publicly supported — 509(a)(2)

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The mission of the Boston Bar Foundation (bbf) is to promote justice by funding and promoting innovation in legal services, enhancing access to justice for the underserved, and supporting the public interest activities of the Bar. As the independent, charitable arm of the Boston Bar association, the bbf's mission is inspired by the values of professionalism, service, compassion, and responsibility, values that all attorneys owe to themselves, to their peers, and to their community.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
83¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 78 volunteers.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

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FY2025 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
3 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $378K a year · 15% of revenue · last 6 filings
Worth a look: a surplus in 3 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
83%
of spending
Looks good: 83% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Cash reserves
14 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $12.6M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
Looks good: 13.5 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
1
named funder · $4K
Fine: 1 funder names it on their filings; under 3.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$2.0M
11% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 11% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
29
of 29 voting members
Looks good: 29 of 29 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$3.9M
+16% vs prior year
Spent
$3.3M
To programs
83%
Net assets
$15.6M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$3.9M
FY2025▲ +16%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$1.7M
FY2021$1.6M
FY2022$1.8M
FY2023$2.8M
FY2024$3.4M
FY2025$3.9M
Expenses
$3.3M
FY2025▲ +46%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$1.7M
FY2021$1.6M
FY2022$1.9M
FY2023$2.0M
FY2024$2.3M
FY2025$3.3M
Net assets
$15.6M
FY2025▲ +12%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$9.7M
FY2021$11.0M
FY2022$9.5M
FY2023$11.1M
FY2024$14.0M
FY2025$15.6M

From the FY2025 Form 990 (year ending August 2025) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Aug 1945.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

83 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 83% · $2.7M Management & general 12% · $403K Fundraising 5% · $173K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

30 people listed on the 990.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2024); the FY2025 filing did not itemize Part VII
Megan Gates
President
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Stephen P Hall
Past President
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
See Boston Bar Foundation INC executive salaries →

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2Yes
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Funds legal innovation and services to improve justice access for underserved communities.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $2.7M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

The BBF makes grants, primarily to provide legal services for low income individuals and families in the greater boston area.

$2.4Mprogram expense
02

The BBF also makes grants that support pro bono and public service projects that engage lawyers in our community.

$313Kprogram expense
03

Scholarships through the voluntary lawyers project and boston foundation for asian community fund

$6Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
The Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati FoundationFY2025$4K
Total grants receivedfrom 1 funder$4K
Grants paid · 193 grants · $9.8M · 2019–2024
Greater Boston Legal Services INCMA · FY2024$500,000
Boston Bar AssociationMA · FY2024$300,000
Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association INCMA · FY2024$210,000
Political Asylum Immigration Representation Project INCMA · FY2024$125,000
Metrowest Legal Services INCMA · FY2024$100,000
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing INCMA · FY2024$90,000
Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services INC DBA Prisoners' Legal SvcsMA · FY2024$85,000
Unitemized GrantFY2024$84,000
Veterans Legal Services INCMA · FY2024$65,000
Rian Immigrant Center INCMA · FY2024$60,000
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute INCMA · FY2024$55,000
Lawyers Clearinghouse on Affordable Housing and Homelessness INCMA · FY2024$44,000
Womens Bar Foundation of Massachusetts INCMA · FY2024$40,000
Northeast Legal Aid INCMA · FY2024$40,000
Lawyers for Civil Rights INCMA · FY2024$35,000
Massachusetts Advocates for Children INCMA · FY2024$33,000
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence INCMA · FY2024$30,000
La Colaborativa INCMA · FY2024$30,000
See all 193 grants →

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

Download 990
from philanthropy.org
1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$3.9M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$3.4M
Investment incomeLn 3$400K
Other incomeLn 4–11$100K
Money outPt IX
$3.3M
Ln 25
Programscol B$2.7M
Managementcol C$403K
Fundraisingcol D$173K
Owns and owesPt X
$15.6M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$3.7M
Total assetsLn 16$17.7M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.0M
PeoplePt VI, VII
30
listed · VII A
PaidVII A0
Voting boardVI 1a29
IndependentVI 1b29
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$3.4M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$494K
Investment incomeLn 3$400K
Other incomeLn 4–11$100K
Gains on assetsLn 7$335K
Total revenueLn 12$3.9M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$67K
SavingsLn 2$3.7M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$3.7M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$12.6M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$315K
Other assetsLn 15$272K
Total assetsLn 16$17.7M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.0M
Net assetsLn 32$15.6M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 50
VolunteersI 678
Fiscal year endsHeaderAugust
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY25End FY25
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$2.9M$3.7M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$11.4M$12.6M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$321K$315K
Total assetsLn 16$15.5M$17.7M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.5M$2.0M
Net assetsLn 32$14.0M$15.6M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$2.6M$2.6M
Grants to domestic individualsLn 2$84K$84K
Accounting feesLn 11c$38K$38K
Investment management feesLn 11f$40K$40K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$21K$9K$12K
Office expensesLn 13$7K$5K$2K
Information technologyLn 14$37K$37K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$2K$2K$500
InsuranceLn 23$8K$2K$4K$3K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$512K$89K$268K$156K
All other expensesLn 24e$164$164
Total functional expensesLn 25$3.3M$2.7M$403K$173K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest Viewing $3.9M$3.3M$633K$15.6M 990 PDF
FY2024 $3.4M$2.3M$1.1M$14.0M 990 PDF
FY2023 $2.8M$2.0M$764K$11.1M 990 PDF
FY2022 $1.8M$1.9M−$142K$9.5M 990 PDF
FY2021 $1.6M$1.6M−$65K$11.0M 990 PDF
FY2020 $1.7M$1.7M−$37K$9.7M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support O · Explanations
See the full FY2025 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $3,939,366 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $3,401,701$3,439,770
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $0$0
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $74,334$399,630
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$94,040$99,966
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $3,381,995$3,939,366
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $1,832,347$2,640,081
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $0$0
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $434,456$666,601
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $2,266,803$3,306,682
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $1,115,192$632,684
Part VI · Governance 29 of 29 board members independent, 1 to look at
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body29
VI-1b Independent voting members29
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsYes
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $3,939,366 across 8 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$494,022
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$2,945,748
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$3,439,770
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $64,411$64,411
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossExcluded from tax $133,558$133,558
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $335,219$335,219
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$33,592−$33,592
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $0 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $499,596$3,939,366
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $3,306,682 across 11 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $2,556,081$2,556,081
IX-2 Grants to domestic individualsPrograms $84,000$84,000
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $38,065$38,065
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $39,996$39,996
IX-11g Other fees for servicesManagement $9,250 · Fundraising $12,225$21,475
IX-13 Office expensesManagement $4,869 · Fundraising $1,879$6,748
IX-14 Information technologyManagement $37,383$37,383
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsManagement $1,650 · Fundraising $500$2,150
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $1,644 · Management $4,027 · Fundraising $2,546$8,217
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $88,536 · Management $267,660 · Fundraising $156,207$512,403
IX-24e All other expensesManagement $164$164
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $2,730,261 · Management $403,064 · Fundraising $173,357$3,306,682
Part X · Balance sheet $17,660,066 assets, 17 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $35,228$67,352
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $2,852,584$3,666,126
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $297,763$359,958
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $219,376$249,902
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $85,010$102,144
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $321,471$315,029
X-12 Other securitiesStart of year $11,393,156$12,610,794
X-14 Intangible assetsStart of year $27,010$17,113
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $278,835$271,648
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $15,510,433$17,660,066
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $20,978$9,763
X-18 Grants payableStart of year $1,498,000$2,005,000
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $1,518,978$2,014,763
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $5,246,907$6,333,434
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $8,744,548$9,311,869
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $13,991,455$15,645,303
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $15,510,433$17,660,066
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $15,645,303 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$3,939,366
XI-2 Total expenses$3,306,682
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$632,684
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$13,991,455
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$1,021,164
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$15,645,303

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2025 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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