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Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern

EIN 45-4059806 · Bakersfield, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RAISE FUNDS FOR AND OTHERWISE CONDUCT OR SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFIT PARTICIPANTS OF HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF KERN PROGRAMS AND OTHER LOW- INCOME FAMILIES.

Income
$122,023
Spending
$83,380
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
41.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$151,424, 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 87% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 41.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 83% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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.

  • 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. $25,482 spent. THE PURPOSE OF THE HELPING HANDS FUND IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE BASIC NEEDS OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THOSE NEEDS ARE RELATED TO BASIC HOUSING, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND ONE TIME ASSISTANCE. FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS WILL BE ASSISTED AND PROVIDED WITH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE IDENTIFIED NEED. THE FUND INCLUDES: JESSICA'S CHRISTMAS, FOOD PANTRY, ADOPT-A-CENTER, AND THE CLOTHING CLOSET.
  2. $32,259 spent. THE PURPOSE OF THE HOUSING COUNSELING FUND IS TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS THAT ARE ALREADY MEETING THEIR INDIVIDUAL GOALS OR THOSE THAT ARE READY TO MOVE FROM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING TO THEIR OWN HOME. THE FOCUS WILL BE ON CREDIT AND ASSET BUILDING WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. THE FUND INCLUDES: FINANCE & UPWARD MOBILITY, ASSET BUILDING, AND HOME OWNERSHIP.
  3. $16,000 spent. THE PURPOSE OF THE OPPORTUNITY FUND IS TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PURSUIT OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY, THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES NEEDED TO OBTAIN THEIR GOALS. PARTICIPANTS WILL DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUAL TRAINING AND SERVICES PLAN TO REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND EDUCATION. THE FUND INCLUDES: SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES, AND JOB SEARCH AND CAREER BUILDING.

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 October 13, 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 February 2012.

    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 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.