Hepatitis B Initiative Ofwashington Dc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
HBI-DCs mission is to mobilize communities to prevent liver diseases caused by viral hepatitis among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, African immigrants, and other high-risk groups. Through collaborative partnerships, our organization provides culturally and linguistically appropriate viral hepatitis outreach, education, screening, Hep B vaccination, linkage to care, and patient navigation services for impacted communities. We also provide preventative health education for those who may be HIV co-infected and refer them to partnering organizations for additional screening, counseling, and care services.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 1
- Highest pay
- $105,000, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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, 2025, 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)
- $1.1 million spent. 2025 marked 20 years of HBI, and a journey of growth, learning, and intentional evolution. In 2025, HBI conducted over 10,000 free health tests, reaching and screening more than 3,000 individuals across the communities we serve. We began as the Hepatitis B Initiative, focused on raising awareness and providing screenings for a critical health issue affecting underserved populations. But over time, it became clear that testing alone was not enough. Communities were navigating far more than one condition. We saw chronic disease, hypertension, cholesterol concerns, diabetes, metabolic health challenges, infectious diseases beyond hepatitis B, and broader barriers such as housing instability, stigma, addiction, language access, and lack of insurance. The work had already grown beyond hepatitis B. Our name had not. So we made the decision to evolve the organization into the Health Betterment Initiative, to reflect the reality of what our communities needed and what we were committed to addressing. That evolution was not just about identity. It was about impact. In the early years, as was common across many nonprofits, services often stopped at delivery. Screening was provided, but follow-through required resources many organizations could not sustain. Management consciously decided that if HBI If HBI was going to be an effective public health nonprofit, we could not stop at testing. We had to invest in outcomes. That meant building systems that ensured individuals were not left behind after their first interaction with us. Over time, we developed the structured linkage-to-care model that defines HBI today, connecting individuals from screening to real medical follow-up, treatment engagement, and sustainable care. This included: Follow-up support Insurance navigation Targeted outreach to high-incidence populations Engagement strategies for individuals experiencing homelessness or navigating substance use recovery Because meaningful public health work is not a one-stop service. It requires investment, of time, resources, and commitment, to move individuals from awareness to action. Today, HBI addresses a broad range of health priorities, including: Hepatitis B and C HIV and syphilis Vaccine facilitation Hypertension and cholesterol Diabetes and metabolic health, including MASH and MASLD Tuberculosis awareness Alzheimers and dementia education Our approach is guided by population insight and supported by structured data management through our data manager alongside ongoing education for our Community Health Workers led by education coordinator. We are also honored that HBI was selected once again to serve as an insurance navigator through the Virginia Marketplace, helping individuals affected by job loss and economic instability regain access to coverage and sustainable healthcare. Because sometimes what people need most is not another program. It is access. After 20 years, HBI continues to evolve grounded in the belief that improving health requires more than services. It requires systems. Investment. Trust. And a commitment to ensuring no one is left behind. It is an honor for our CEO, Sandra Marrero-Ashford, MPH, MPA, MA to lead this work, and to celebrate this milestone alongside our dedicated team and the communities we serve.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 June 2007.
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.
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.