Habitat for Humanity International Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
SEEKING TO PUT GOD'S LOVE INTO ACTION, GREATER CLEVELAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD HOMES, COMMUNITIES, AND HOPE. CLEVELAND HABITAT GIVES FAMILIES A PATH TOWARDS FINANCIAL STABILITY, SAFETY AND A LASTING LEGACY FOR THEIR FAMILY BY BUILDING AND REHABBING AFFORDABLE HOMES.
- Income
- $14.3 million
- Spending
- $12.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Employees
- 100
- Volunteers
- 1,329
- Highest pay
- $225,444, president/ceo
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
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 50% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 60% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 26 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
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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $11.3 million spent. CLEVELAND HABITAT GIVES FAMILIES A PATH TOWARDS FINANCIAL STABILITY, SAFETY AND A LASTING LEGACY FOR THEIR FAMILY BY BUILDING AND REHABBING HOMES. HABITAT HOMEOWNERS ARE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME, HAVE STABLE EMPLOYMENT AND A DECENT CREDIT HISTORY. HOMEBUYERS ARE CHOSEN BASED ON NEED, ABILITY TO PAY AND THE WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH HABITAT BY FULFILLING 200 - 300 HOURS OF "SWEAT EQUITY." SINCE 1987, THIS TRANSFORMATIVE PROCESS HAS IMPACTED HUNDREDS OF FAMILIIES, REVITALIZED COMMUNITIES AND UNITED GREATER CLEVELANDERS TO GIVE THEIR TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE AROUND THE CAUSE OF AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP.
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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 January 1987.
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.
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.