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Heritage Foundation for Germans From Russia

EIN 45-0460797 · Bismarck, ND

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak25 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Functions as a fundraising arm to GRHS by receiving donations and investing those funds to support GRHS. GRHS is a 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of preserving German Russian culture and heritage. See description provided in Part I, Line 1.

Income
$50,158
Spending
$21,296
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (3)
  1. $15,500 spent. Amounts paid from the GRHS Future Growth fund, dedicated to supporting GRHS. Grants paid directly in cash to supported organization, Germans From Russia Society (GRHS), the grantee. The Heritage Foundation for Germans from Russia (HFGR) manages the GRHS Future Growth fund through investments of donations made to HFGR. Other than grants paid, no material expenses incurred or allocated to program.
  2. $1,900 spent. Grants paid out to unrelated grantees of the Joseph Height fund for prizes cash paid for writing awards as determined by GRHS. Awards are for writing contests that relate to the cultural mission of GRHS. HFGR manages the Joseph Height fund through investments of donations made to HFGR. Other than grants paid, no material expenses incurred or allocated to program.
  3. $1,000 spent. Grants paid out to unrelated grantees of the Youth Essay program for prizes cash paid for writing awards as determined by GRHS. Awards are for writing contests that relate to the cultural mission of GRHS. The prizes are paid out of the Gwen Pritzkau fund, which is managed by HFGR through investments of donations made to HFGR. Other than grants paid, no material expenses incurred or allocated to program.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 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.