The Home Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF TEMPORARY HOUSING FOUNDATION, NOW THE HOME FOUNDATION, IS CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS IN CENTRE COUNTY. OUR VISION IS A SECURE AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE FOR EVERYONE IN CENTRE COUNTY.
- Income
- $593,370
- Spending
- $767,084
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 6
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 92 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
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.
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 January 31, 2026, 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)
- $693,682 spent. THE HOME FOUNDATION ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION THROUGH A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES. IN APRIL OF 2020, THF BECAME A HUD CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY, THE ONLY ONE IN CENTRE COUNTY. THE GOAL OF HOUSING COUNSELING IS TO PROVIDE HOUSING STABILITY COUNSELING, PRE-PURCHASE HOMEBUYER EDUCATION AND BUDGET COUNSELING, PRE-CLOSING COUNSELING, POST-PURCHASE COUNSELING, FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND REFERRAL FOR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE. THF HAS BEEN PROVIDING FIRST TIME HOME BUYER SERVICES SINCE 1999 BUT WAS LARGELY LIMITED TO THE BOROUGH OF STATE COLLEGE. SINCE APRIL 2020, THE SERVICES HAVE BEEN EXPANDING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.IN ADDITION, THF ACQUIRES, REHABILITATES AND SELLS HOMES TO FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS IN THE BOROUGH OF STATE COLLEGE. THF SOLD ITS 36TH HOME TO A FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER IN FY25. THF HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A SMALL PORTFOLIO OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL PROPERTIES IN THE BOROUGH. AT THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR THAT ENDED JANUARY 30, 2026, THF, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE COLLEGE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, HAD NEARLY COMPLETED THE OLD BOALSBURG ROAD FLATS. THE FLATS WERE A NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGHLY ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME FEATURING A ONE-BEDROOM RENTAL UNIT ON THE FIRST FLOOR THAT IS ADA-B COMPLIANT AND A REGULAR ONE-BEDROOM UNIT ON THE TOP FLOOR. BOTH UNITS ACCEPT HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOMES BELOW AN AREA MEDIAN INCOME OF 50%. THF WILL OWN AND MANAGE THE UNITS WHILE PAYING A LAND LEASE TO THE STATE COLLEGE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST WHO OWNS THE LAND.THF ALSO MAINTAINS AN ECHO COTTAGE. ECHO STANDS FOR ELDERLY COTTAGE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. THIS PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT ISSUED IN 2021 AND THE FIRST COTTAGE WAS PLACED IN NOVEMBER 2025 NEAR A HOST HOME WHO IS A FAMILY MEMBER. THE GENTLEMAN WHO LIVES IN IT PAYS 20% OF HIS INCOME FOR RENT AND THF RETAINS OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HOME.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, 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 October 13, 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 January 2026.
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 May 1989.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. 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.