Independent Health Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF WESTERN NEW YORK RESIDENTS THROUGH AWARENESS, PREVENTION, WELLNESS, AND OTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 125
- Volunteers
- 155
- Highest pay
- $2.5 million, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
- $2.8 million spent. IN SUPPORT OF INDEPENDENT HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S PRIORITIES, THE PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF WNY RESIDENTS THROUGH HEALTH AWARENESS, PREVENTION, WELLNESS EDUCATION AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. KIDS RUN (YEARLY) SERVES APPROXIMATELY 11,000 PEOPLE. KIDS RUN WAS CREATED OVER 30 YEARS AGO TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO EXERCISE AND STAY ACTIVE TOGETHER. THIS FREE EVENT HAS GROWN CONTINUALLY EACH YEAR. THIS YEAR THE EVENT WAS HELD IN PERSON AT DELAWARE PARK. WE OPTED TO KEEP THE AT-SCHOOL VERSION OF THE PROGRAM THAT WAS CREATED AS A RESPONSE TO COVID-19 WHERE PARTICIPANTS WERE ABLE TO RUN AT THEIR SCHOOLS AND WERE SENT THE NECESSARY RACE SUPPLIES. ADDITIONALLY, WE KEPT THE AT-HOME OPTION IF FAMILIES WERE UNABLE TO RUN AT DELAWARE PARK. WE MAILED OUT RACE NUMBERS, INSTRUCTIONS, AND MEDALS TO PARTICIPANTS. THIS EVENT TARGETS OVER 8,000 UNDERSERVED FAMILIES THAT ARE OFTEN LACKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. KIDS RUN DEMONSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. KID'S RUN IS A JUNE EVENT FUNDED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES. ANY REMAINING FUNDS ARE USED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. GOOD FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD (YEAR-LONG) SERVES APPROXIMATELY 3,300 PEOPLE, APPROXIMATELY 100 VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED WITH THIS PROGRAM. GOOD FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS A COMMUNITY-BASED WELLNESS INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS HEALTHY LIVING TRAINING AND LEARNING TOOLS TO AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS LIMITED DUE TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS. OUR CURRENT AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDE THE EAST AND WEST BUFFALO, NIAGARA FALLS, LACKAWANNA, AKRON, AND THE RURAL OUTREACH CENTER. THIS PROGRAM ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO MANAGE AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH MORE EFFECTIVELY. GOOD FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS A YEAR-LONG EVENT WITH MULTIPLE SITE VISITS REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE IHA GRANT AND SMALL SPONSORSHIPS. THE FITNESS FOR KIDS CHALLENGE (SCHOOL YEAR) SERVES APPROXIMATELY: 11,000 CHILDREN. THE FITNESS FOR KIDS CHALLENGE IS A FREE COMMUNITY-WIDE INITIATIVE OFFERED TO ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT WESTERN NEW YORK SINCE 2008. THE FITNESS FOR KIDS CHALLENGE PROMOTES HEALTHY HABITS SUCH AS GOOD NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BY FOLLOWING THE 9-5-2-1-0+YOU GOALS. THE TOP PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS CAN WIN REWARDS, INCENTIVES AND EVEN FUNDING TO PURCHASE FITNESS EQUIPMENT OR ENHANCE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMMING FOR THEIR SCHOOL THIS INITIATIVE REACHES OVER 11,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY, IN OVER 45 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. FITNESS FOR KIDS CHALLENGE IS FUNDED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES. ANY REMAINING FUNDS ARE USED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. FIRST NIGHT BUFFALO (DECEMBER 31) SERVES APPROXIMATELY 133,000 PEOPLE. FIRST NIGHT BUFFALO HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY-WIDE TRADITION IN WESTERN NEW YORK FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. FIRST NIGHT BUFFALO IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY BASH FILLED WITH FUN AND HEALTHY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL TO ENJOY. FAMILIES COULD START EACH YEAR OFF RIGHT BY MAKING FIRST NIGHT BUFFALO PART OF THEIR NEW YEAR'S EVEN TRADITION. THE 2024 EVENT WAS VIRTUAL WITH A FREE ONLINE VIDEO COMPONENT FEATURING LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT, WITH AN OPTION TO PURCHASE A PARTY PACK TO CELEBRATE AT HOME AT AN AFFORDABLE COST. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES, INCLUDING PARTY PACK SALES TO THE PUBLIC. REMAINING FUNDS ARE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. SOCCER FOR SUCCESS (85 & 86) & WILSON SERVES APPROXIMATELY 2,500 YOUTH. SOCCER FOR SUCCESS IS A FREE AFTERSCHOOL SOCCER PROGRAM THAT IS PROVIDED IN THE WESTERN NEW YORK REGION TO STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE ESSENTIALS OF SOCCER, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND COACH MENTORSHIP TO THE STUDENTS, USING A CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY THE U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION. FUNDING IS SECURED THROUGH U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION AND UNITED WAY OF BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY, AS WELL AS IHA SUPPORT. ANY REMAINING FUNDS ARE USED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. GROWING UP STRONG (YEAR-LONG) SERVES APPROXIMATELY 4,000 0-3 YEAR OLD CHILDREN. THE GROWING UP STRONG PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH WESTERN NEW YORK PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO BETTER SUPPORT CHILDREN AGES 0-5 AND PROVIDE THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THE APPROPRIATE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO FULLY THRIVE. THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO ATTEND EARLY CHILDHOOD WELL VISITS, EDUCATE CAREGIVERS ABOUT CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND MILESTONES, BETTER LINK FAMILIES TO NEEDED SERVICES AND RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT PEDIATRICIANS THROUGH INCREASED ENGAGEMENT. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS WITH THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO CREATE A STRONGER DEVELOPMENTAL FOUNDATION, MITIGATING THE POTENTIAL NEED FOR ADDITIONAL INTERVENTIONS IN THE FUTURE. ANY REMAINING FUNDS ARE USED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. WELLNESS PROGRAMS: HEALTHY OPTIONS (YEAR-LONG) SERVES APPROXIMATELY: 45,000. THE HEALTHY OPTIONS PROGRAM AIMS TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS WHEN DINING OUT AND WHILE COOKING AT HOME. IT WORKS WITH LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND FOOD TRUCKS TO ANALYZE AND MODIFY MENU ITEMS INTO HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES. THE HEALTHY OPTIONS WEBSITE HAS AN ONLINE DINING GUIDE MAKING IT EASY TO CHOOSE A HEALTHY OPTION WHEREVER YOU ARE. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES. HEALTHY OPTIONS IS PARTIALLY A WEB-BASED PROGRAM AT WWW.HEALTHYOPTIONSBUFFALO.COM. ANY REMAINING FUNDS ARE USED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. HEALTHY OPTIONS AT HOME (YEAR-LONG) SERVES APPROXIMATELY: 3,000. HEALTHY OPTIONS AT HOME PROVIDES CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH FREE HEALTHY MEAL KITS DELIVERED TO THEIR DOOR TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATING, INCREASE CONFIDENCE IN COOKING HEALTHY MEALS ON A BUDGET AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. FAMILIES WHO ENROLL HAVE 4 MEALS DELIVERED (1 PER WEEK FOR 1 MONTH), WHICH INCLUDES ALL THE KITCHEN SUPPLIES NEEDED TO COOK THE MEAL, ALL INGREDIENTS, RECIPE CARDS AND SHOPPING LISTS FOR FUTURE USE. FAMILIES ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO A COOKING DEMONSTRATION VIDEO WITH A LOCAL CHEF TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO OU
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Foundation Health LLC (Fairbanks, AK), EIN 81-3021580. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.