Form 990 for tax year 2023

Totals

Total revenue

$18,932,876

Total expenses

$9,767,546

Contributions and grants received

$15,851,969

Grants paid

$0

Program service revenue

$1,726,379

Investment income

$167,078

Other revenue

$1,187,450

Total assets, end of year

$13,933,505

Total liabilities, end of year

$609,066

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$13,324,439

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$8,143,853

Management and general expenses

$1,157,288

Fundraising expenses

$466,405

Program service expenses (Part III)

$8,143,853

Program services were 83.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2023

• BRIGHT BEGINNINGS, INC'S CENTER-BASED PROGRAM IS A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN SIX WEEKS TO FIVE YEARS OLD WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS CHILDREN'S PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE AREA OF EARLY LEARNING, HEALTH, AND FAMILY WELL-BEING. THE OVERALL GOAL OF BRIGHT BEGINNINGS, INC. IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT HELPS THEM DEVELOP SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND COGNITIVELY TOWARDS SCHOOL READINESS DURING THEIR PROGRAM ENROLLMENT. BBI'S PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDE:EDUCATION - BRIGHT BEGINNINGS' HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAM EQUIPS CHILDREN WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT BUILD LITERACY SKILLS AND PREPARES THEM TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY-TO-LEARN AND ON PAR WITH THEIR HIGHER-RESOURCED PEERS. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY ARE MORE LIKELY TO FALL BEHIND IN SCHOOL, REPEAT A GRADE, REQUIRE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO DEMONSTRATE ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY OR GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.BRIGHT BEGINNINGS LARGELY CONCENTRATES ON EARLY LITERACY, AS WELL AS TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO RECOGNIZE LETTERS, NUMBERS, STORY THEMES, AND MORE. WE USE THE EVIDENCE-BASED HIGHSCOPE CURRICULUM TO FOSTER SKILLS AND QUALITIES SUCH AS CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING. HIGHSCOPE'S PLAN/DO/REVIEW METHOD ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO PLAN THEIR ACTIVITIES, ASK QUESTIONS, AND MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THE INFORMATION THEY HAVE GATHERED. THIS METHOD ALLOWS EACH CHILD TO DEVELOP AT THEIR OWN PACE IN A SUPPORTIVE AND ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT.

  Expenses $5,229,843 · Revenue $620,428

• HEALTH & WELLNESS - BRIGHT BEGINNINGS KNOWS THAT HEALTH AND WELLNESS ARE CRITICAL IN PREPARING CHILDREN TO LEARN AND HELPING PARENTS ACHIEVE THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER GOALS TO TRANSITION OUT OF POVERTY. THUS, BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON ENSURING THAT THE FAMILIES WE SERVE ARE IN THE BEST POSITION POSSIBLE TO LEARN, ACHIEVE, AND THRIVE. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES SCREENINGS TO ALL ENROLLED CHILDREN, WHETHER THEY ARE IN OUR HOME-BASED OR CENTER-BASED PROGRAM. THESE SCREENINGS EVALUATE CHILDREN'S HEARING AND VISION, MEASURE HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS AND MONITOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE HEALTH SERVICES TEAM REVIEWS EACH CHILD'S HEALTH DOCUMENTATION AND PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS TO PARENTS REGARDING ANY MEDICAL CONCERNS. THEY ALSO TRAIN PARENTS ON HOW TO PROPERLY ADMINISTER MEDICATION TO CHILDREN. THE HEALTH SERVICES TEAM COLLECTS AND REVIEWS ALL MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION AND HELPS TRACK AND MONITOR EACH CHILD'S INDIVIDUAL HEALTH PLAN. AN ON-SITE NUTRITIONIST PROVIDES NUTRITIONAL GUIDANCE TO PARENTS, CHILDREN, TEACHERS, AND FOOD SERVICE WORKERS. THE NUTRITIONIST REVIEWS GROWTH ASSESSMENTS COMPLETED BY THE NURSE TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT. WHEN NUTRITION PROBLEMS ARE IDENTIFIED, THE NUTRITIONIST PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY AND ASSISTS THEM WITH DEVELOPING A PLAN OF ACTION.

  Expenses $754,185

• HOME BASED - BRIGHT BEGINNINGS' HOME-BASED PROGRAM OFFERS EARLY HEAD START SERVICES TO CHILDREN (BIRTH TO THREE) AND THEIR FAMILIES IN WHATEVER ENVIRONMENT THEY CALL HOME. DURING A 90-MINUTE WEEKLY VISIT, HOME VISITORS MEET WITH PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY'S HOME ENVIRONMENT, COACHING PARENTS ON STRATEGIES TO BE THE CHILD'S FIRST TEACHER, SCREENING AND ASSESSING EACH CHILD AND PROVIDING WRAP AROUND SUPPORT SERVICES. BRIGHT BEGINNINGS TREAT FAMILIES AS ACTIVE PARTNERS IN THEIR CHILD'S SUCCESS AND CREATES SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT THE ROLE OF PARENTS AS THE PRIMARY EDUCATORS OF THEIR CHILDREN. BRIGHT BEGINNINGS' HOME-BASED PROGRAM USES THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS (PAT) FOUNDATIONAL CURRICULUM, WHICH ASSERTS THAT PARENTS ARE THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST AND BEST TEACHERS. IN ADDITION TO HOME VISITS, TWICE-MONTHLY SOCIALIZATION EVENTS SUPPORT PARENT-CHILD DEVELOPMENT WHILE ALSO FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AMONGST FAMILIES WHO ARE NOT ENROLLED IN THE CENTER-BASED PROGRAM. BBI ENGAGED MOTHERS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MOTHERS OVER AGE 40, TEEN MOTHERS, AND FIRST-TIME MOTHERS, PROVIDING SERVICES SUCH AS SAFE SLEEP COACHING, LACTATION CONSULTING, DOULA SUPPORT, NUTRITION SUPPORT, PRENATAL YOGA SESSIONS, AND MORE TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR BLACK MOTHERS AND INFANTS.

  Expenses $382,348

• FAMILY SERVICES - BRIGHT BEGINNINGS REGULARLY HOSTS PARENT EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND CLASSES THAT COVER A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS. BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OFFERS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, FAMILY FORUM MEETINGS, PARENTING CLASSES, A MOTHERS-ONLY SUPPORT GROUP, A FATHERHOOD PROGRAM, WIC CLUB, A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUP, AND MORE.BRIGHT BEGINNINGS' FAMILY SERVICES AND EVENTS KEEP PARENTS ENGAGED IN OUR EXTENSIVE PROGRAMMING. PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTEER IN THE CLASSROOMS AND SERVE AS CHAPERONES ON FIELD TRIPS. THEY ALSO SERVE ON OUR PARENT POLICY COUNCIL, WHICH REVIEWS AND APPROVES ALL PROGRAMS AND OPERATING BUDGETS, AND INTERVIEWS KEY PERSONNEL. THROUGH ITS FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM, BRIGHT BEGINNINGS SUPPORTS THE DAY-TO-DAY SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES WE SERVE AND ENCOURAGES ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT.THERAPEUTIC SERVICES - BRIGHT BEGINNINGS' THERAPEUTIC SERVICES PROGRAM IDENTIFIES AND TREATS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN CHILDREN, AND STAFF WORK TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE WELL-POSITIONED TO REACH AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. STAFF ALSO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY, OFFERING INTERVENTIONS THAT HELP ALLEVIATE THE STRESS FACING FAMILIES WITHOUT HOMES.CARE TEAM ENGAGES PARENTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT. STILL, MANY PARENTS STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SUPPORT TO CHILDREN WITH DELAYS SINCE THEY ARE ALSO COPING WITH THEIR OWN TRAUMA AND STRESS. BRIGHT BEGINNINGS' WHOLE CHILD, WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH ENSURES THAT BOTH CHILDREN AND PARENTS ARE SUFFICIENTLY SUPPORTED TO CREATE LASTING POSITIVE CHANGE. BY INTERVENING EARLY AND OFTEN, BRIGHT BEGINNINGS ENSURES THAT CHILDREN ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN. ALL BRIGHT BEGINNINGS STUDENTS RECEIVE THERAPEUTIC AND HEALTH SCREENINGS WITHIN 45 DAYS OF ENROLLMENT. THESE SCREENINGS HELP STAFF DEVELOP INDIVIDUALIZED CURRICULA AND SOCIAL SERVICE PLANS. CARE TEAM ALSO WORKS WITH PARENTS WHO ARE IN CRISIS. THE TEAM MEETS BI-WEEKLY TO DEVELOP ACTION PLANS TO SUPPORT PARENTS IN BEING ABLE TO COPE WITH WHATEVER SITUATION THEY ARE IN.WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - IN 2024, BRIGHT BEGINNINGS SERVED 50 PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY THROUGH OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. BY OFFERING A FULL RANGE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, BOTH INDEPENDENTLY AND IN CONCERT WITH OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, BRIGHT BEGINNINGS HELPS PARENTS FIND JOBS AND ENROLL IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, SUPPORTS INTEGRATED AND COLLABORATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACROSS DC AND INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD THAT PARENTS WITHOUT STABLE HOUSING ARE ABLE TO ACCESS HIGH QUALITY AND COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE IN ALL AREAS OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. BRIGHT BEGINNINGS PROVIDES A NUMBER OF WORKFORCE-DEVELOPMENT RELATED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND WORKSHOPS CREATING DIRECT IMPACTS IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, RESUME BUILDING, CAREER FAIRS AND MORE.EVENING CARE BBI HAS FREE EVENING CHILDCARE PROGRAM TO BETTER SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH CAREGIVERS WHO WORK OR ATTEND SCHOOL DURING THE EVENING HOURS. BBI BEGAN OFFERING EVENING CARE HOURS AGAIN BECAUSE PARENTS, PARTICULARLY MOTHERS, EXPRESSED THE NEED TO HAVE CHILDCARE DURING ALTERNATIVE HOURS AS THEY RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE. BBI NOW OFFERS ADDITIONAL HOURS OF CHILDCARE FOR UP TO 25 CHILDREN AGES BIRTH - 3, FROM 4PM - 11PM, MONDAY - FRIDAY. BRIGHT BEGINNINGS IS ONE OF THE FEW LICENSED CENTER-BASED CARE FACILITIES IN WARDS 7 OR 8 TO PROVIDE FREE CHILDCARE AFTER 7PM, AND THE ONLY HEAD START AGENCY IN REGION 3 TO DO SO.

  Expenses $1,777,477 · Revenue $1,105,951

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

• BBI HOLDINGS INC

  501(C)(3) · OPERATIONS · DC · controlled entity

  Directly controlled by BRIGHT BEGINNINGS INC

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2023

Filed

15 August 2025

IRS schema version

2023v6.0

Source object

202542279349301649

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