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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: August 2025 Expires: August 2027

Blue Star Families

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
Accreditation seal
(202) 630-2583
441 Saxony The Hive/Barn 2
Encinitas, CA, 92024
https://bluestarfam.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Blue Star Families meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to strengthen military families through communities."

Year, State Incorporated:
2009, GA

Blue Star Families (BSF) designs and delivers programs that are geared for the military community. Blue Star Museums is a partnership with over 2,000 museums nationwide that serve military families. Museum admission is offered free of charge. Books on Bases is a program that facilitates the collection and distribution of new books to military children, schools and libraries across the country. Blue Star Careers supports military spouses by providing them with resources, tools and networking opportunities. The organization also reports that it conducts in-depth research on the issues that affect the military family community, informs military and civilian leaders at the national level, and works collaboratively to find innovative and effective solutions.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Blue Star Families's program expenses were:

Communities $9,673,286
Research and policy $2,292,915
Technology engagement $2,477,153
Campaign for Inclusion $496,254
Total Program Expenses $14,939,608

Chief Executive
Kathy Roth-Douquet, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$371,552

Chair of the Board
Gwendolyn Bingham

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
US Army, Retired 3-star General

Board Size
13

Paid Staff Size
87

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Telemarketing, Print advertisements

Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $30,013,958, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Blue Star Families's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Other income $15,206
Investment income, net $918,700
In-kind contributions $4,201,860
Contributions $25,812,098
Total Income $30,947,864

Programs: 85% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 8%

Total Income $30,947,864
Total expenses: $17,507,491
  Program expenses $14,939,608
  Fundraising expenses $1,234,270
  Administrative expenses $1,333,613
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $13,440,373
Beginning Net Assets $16,654,591
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $30,094,964
Total Liabilities $1,183,642
Total Assets $31,278,606

Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, Blue Star Families received in-kind donations of $4,201,860 including supplies ($3,039,485), books ($1,101,291), legal services ($46,084), and advertising ($15,000).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance