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The Heart Foundation

EIN 45-0471117 · Westlake Vlg, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair63 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$888,868
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
6
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$75,661, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $500,000 spent. HEART DISEASE IS THE #1 CAUSE OF DEATH FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES. THE HEART FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SAVING LIVES THROUGH THE FUNDING OF CARDIAC RESEARCH FOR IMPROVED METHODS OF HEART DISEASE PREVENTION, DETECTION, AND TREATMENT. OUR RESEARCH FUNDS ARE CURRENTLY DIRECTED TO THE P.K. SHAH LABORATORY AT SMIDT HEART INSTITUTE AT CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, WHERE RESEARCHERS ARE WORKING ON A HEART DISEASE VACCINE TO PREVENT THE BUILD-UP OF PLAQUE IN THE ARTERIES.
  2. $92,885 spent. WHILE HEART DISEASE IS THE #1 CAUSE OF DEATH FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST PREVENTABLE. THE HEART FOUNDATION HAS DEVELOPED A PROGRAM TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF HEART DISEASE AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF THIS OFTEN SILENT KILLER. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH UP-TO-DATE, RELIABLE, UNDERSTANDABLE, AND ENGAGING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. WE DO SO BY:1) PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS2) CONDUCTING ONLINE INTERVIEWS WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND HEART HEALTH ADVOCATES3) PROVIDING A PLATFORM TO ASK QUESTIONS AND ENGAGE WITH OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HEART HEALTH4) PROVIDING A "MY HEART HEALTH QUIZ" ON OUR WEBSITE WHERE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE A HEART HEALTH SCORE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEART HEALTHY LIVING5) PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES THROUGH OUR WEBSITE SUCH AS A HEART HEALTH GLOSSARY, A HEART HEALTH TRACKER, A FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY TREE, A YEARLY PHYSICAL CHECKLIST, A VITAL SIGNS TRACKER, AND HOW TO PERFORM HANDS-ONLY CPRTHE HEART FOUNDATION HAS OVER 42,000 FOLLOWERS ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, AND COUNTLESS MORE PEOPLE WORLDWIDE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND INTERACT WITH OUR ONLINE CONTENT.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Health Foundation (United Kingdom), EIN 98-0570141. 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.