Center for Health Empowerment in South Texas
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHEST is dedicated to advancing the health outcomes for residents of the South, West, and East San Antonio area, through increased education, access, investment, and cross-sector collaboration.
- Income
- $307,201
- Spending
- $82,689
- Spent on programs
- 44%
- Reserves
- 32.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 98%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $30,644, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 32.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.
Spending floor
0 of 1544% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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
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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 30, 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)
- $36,393 spent. During this fiscal year, CHEST invested in essential organizational development to establish the leadership structures, financial systems, and operational infrastructure needed to responsibly scale and sustain community-based health programs. Programs designed to improve health outcomes and contribute to measurable gains in life expectancy across the South, West, and East of San Antonio and surrounding areas.Major accomplishments included: Hiring the organizations first President & CEO to lead strategic planning, partnerships, and program design Establishing administrative offices and operational systems Developing CHESTs mission, vision, and strategic framework centered on reducing health disparities Launching the organizations website, branding, and public communications platforms Creating governance structures and strengthening board engagement Initiating partnerships with local health providers, community organizations, and stakeholders Conducting community engagement and planning discussions to identify priority health needs and service gaps These activities built the operational and strategic foundation required for implementation of preventive health access initiatives, community wellness programming, and health interventions in the following fiscal year. Although CHEST was in its initial capacity-building phase during this reporting period, the president & ceo engaged community stakeholders and partners in preparation for direct program implementation through approximately 100+ meetings, activities, and events in her first several months.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 March 2025.
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.