Health Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- -11.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 72%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 19
- Highest pay
- $144,387, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 49% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $93,854 spent. SCHOLARSHIP - THERE IS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS THAT IS EVEN MORE ACUTELY FELT IN RURAL AREAS SUCH AS WILKES COUNTY. THE HEALTH FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN EARNING A DEGREE IN A HEALTH CARE PROFESSION AND THEN WORKING IN WILKES OR SURROUNDING NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES. HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND TYPICALLY PROVIDE LIVING WAGE JOBS AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT. BY INVESTING IN THESE STUDENTS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WE HELP ENSURE A CARING WORK FORCE TO MEET LOCAL DEMAND. STUDENTS WHO MAINTAIN STRONG GRADE POINT AVERAGES CAN RENEW THEIR SCHOLARSHIP FOR EACH YEAR UNTIL GRADUATION. HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS REQUIRE CLASSROOM, LAB, AND CLINICAL ROTATIONS THAT MAKE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK WHILE ATTAINING THEIR DEGREE, MAKING THE SCHOLARSHIP EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO THE STUDENTS' ABILITY TO COMPLETE THEIR STUDIES. IN OUR SMALL, RURAL COMMUNITY, IT IS AN ADDED BONUS THAT WE GET TO SEE THESE STUDENTS FIND LASTING EMPLOYMENT IN WORK THEY LOVE WHILE CARING FOR OTHERS.
- $677,156 spent. PREVENTION - MANY OF THE MOST COMPLEX HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN OUR RURAL, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY CAN'T POSSIBLY BE SOLVED BY ANY ONE PERSON, PROGRAM, OR ORGANIZATION. WE HAVE FOUND THAT BY BRINGING TOGETHER OTHERS WHO SHARE OUR VISION OF A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE IS HEALTHY, SAFE, AND ABLE TO THRIVE THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH DEEPER, MEANINGFUL CHANGE. THAT IS WHY WE LEAD LOCAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT ENGAGE A BROAD CROSS SECTOR OF SERVICE PROVIDERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS. THESE GROUPS IDENTIFY BARRIERS PEOPLE FACE AND THEN TEST AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO SOLVE THEM. FOR EXAMPLE, THE RESILIENCY COLLABORATIVE RECOGNIZES THAT CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCE ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR FAMILY SEPARATION OFTEN CARRY THOSE TRAUMAS INTO ADULTHOOD. LIKEWISE, IF THEIR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, CHILDREN DON'T LEARN HEALTHY COPING SKILLS. THIS CAN LEAD TO VERY UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS -- SO-CALLED GENERATIONAL TRAUMA -- THAT CAN REDUCE LIFE EXPECTANCY BY AS MUCH AS TWENTY YEARS. THANKFULLY, EVEN JUST ONE HEALTHY AND CARING ADULT CAN BE A LIFELINE FOR A CHILD LIVING WITH THESE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES. THEREFORE, THE COLLABORATIVE OFFERS PROGRAMMING THAT TEACHES PARENTS, EDUCATORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, YOUTH LEADERS, AND CHILDREN THEMSELVES HOW TO THRIVE. AND, BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THESE FIELDS CAN EXPERIENCE "SECONDARY TRAUMA" FROM CONTINUALLY WITNESSING UNIMAGINABLE HARDSHIPS, THE COLLABORATIVE PRESENTS ITS ANNUAL "ADDRESS THE STRESS" CONFERENCE. THE CONFERENCE BRINGS IN NATIONAL EXPERTS AND PRESENTERS WHILE ALSO PROVIDING CREATIVE AND FUN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP CAREGIVERS RESET THEIR OWN NERVOUS SYSTEMS, PREVENTING BURNOUT. BY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM MANY DISCIPLINES, RELATIONSHIPS ARE STRENGTHENED AND NEW PATHWAYS TO BETTER SERVING PEOPLE ARE CREATED. THE COLLABORATIVE ALSO DEVELOPED AND ANNUALLY UPDATES A WILKES COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE TO HELP CONNECT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FAMILIES TO NEEDED RESOURCES. A MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITY LEADS TO BETTER SUPPORT FOR THOSE IN NEED. IN 2025, THE HEALTH FOUNDATION LAUNCHED A NEW PROGRAM CALLED "THE SITUATION TABLE" SO THAT SERVICE PROVIDERS MAY PRESENT CASES WHERE AN IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION CAN PREVENT AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY FROM FALLING INTO CRISIS. AN "OUNCE OF "PREVENTION" IS PROVING TO BE WORTH MORE THAN A "POUND OF CURE" AS PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE MEDICAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, OR SERVICES NEEDED WITHOUT HAVING TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS IN A COMPLEX SYSTEM THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE ON THEIR OWN. THE COMMUNITY OPIOID PREVENTION AND EDUCATION TEAM (COPE) LIKEWISE IDENTIFIES AND PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY-BASED STRATEGIES TO HELP PREVENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND STRENGTHEN PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY FOR PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS. EACH ORGANIZATION BRINGS THEIR OWN STRENGTHS TO THE TABLE, BE IT PEER SUPPORT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, HOUSING, OR MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, AMONG OTHERS. THE TEAM HAS IDENTIFIED TEN POPULATION-LEVEL MEASURES THAT COLLECTIVELY REPRESENT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT, AND NINE OF THE TEN MEASURES ARE CURRENTLY TRENDING POSITIVELY.COPE ALSO SUPPORTS SYSTEM-LEVEL PLANNING TO IMPROVE HOW PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS INTERACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS. THROUGH A SEQUENTIAL INTERCEPT MAPPING PROCESS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS EXAMINED THE PATHWAYS PEOPLE MAY ENCOUNTER FROM CRISIS RESPONSE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACT THROUGH COURTS, DETENTION, REENTRY, AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES. THE PROCESS IDENTIFIED EXISTING RESOURCES, SERVICE GAPS, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE COORDINATION, CONNECT PEOPLE WITH APPROPRIATE CARE, AND REDUCE REPEATED INVOLVEMENT WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.IN ADDITION TO CONVENING COPE, THE HEALTH FOUNDATION FORMALLY ADMINISTERS THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS AWARDED TO WILKES COUNTY. THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH A STEERING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND MAKE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT. ITS GRANT MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE DEVELOPING THE APPLICATION MATERIALS AND TIMELINE, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO APPLICANTS, DEVELOPING PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR EACH AWARD, MONITORING PROGRESS, SUPPORTING GRANTEES, AND COMPILING REPORTS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. FOUNDATION MANAGEMENT AND STAFF PROVIDE THESE SERVICES AT NO CHARGE, ALLOWING A GREATER PORTION OF THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO SUPPORT DIRECT SERVICES, PREVENTION EFFORTS, TREATMENT, RECOVERY SUPPORTS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY NEEDS.THE HEALTH FOUNDATION DIRECTS GRANTMAKING TOWARDS PREVENTION PROGRAMMING. INVESTING IN PREVENTION EFFORTS ENHANCES QUALITY OF LIFE AND BUILDS A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY. HEALTH IS, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, AFFECTED BY WHERE WE LIVE, WORK, PLAY, PRAY AND LEARN. THEREFORE, OTHER EFFORTS INCLUDE IMPROVING OUR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT. THE GREAT STATE OF WILKES HAS MANY NATURAL ASSETS UPON WHICH TO BUILD! WE CONVENE AND LEAD THE OUTDOOR ECONOMY WORK GROUP, WHICH IS INFORMED BY OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING. OUR GROUP HAS DEVELOPED A FIFTEEN-YEAR ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE PARKS AND BOLSTER OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SO COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN WALK, RUN, PADDLE, AND PEDDLE THEIR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH. EACH ENTITY INDEPENDENTLY WORKS ON PROJECTS WITHIN THEIR DOMAINS WHILE COLLECTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE TOWNS OF WILKESBORO AND NORTH WILKESBORO ARE COLLABORATING ON A "BRIDGE OVER THE 'BOROS" DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION GRANT FROM THE GREAT STATE TRAILS GRANT FUND TO CREATE A MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO CROSS THE YADKIN RIVER ALONG THE GREENWAY. THE WILKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION UTILIZES THE PLAN TO ATTRACT OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES TO WILKES. THIS LED TO THEIR RECRUITMENT AND OPENING OF HIDDEN BROOK SPORTING CLUB. THIS YEAR THE TEAM LAUNCHED AN ONLINE STORY MAP THAT INTERACTIVELY HIGHLIGHTS THE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN WILKES TO BE USED BY RESIDENTS AND VIS
- $944,713 spent. ACCESS TO CARE - BECAUSE PEOPLE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES FACE NUMEROUS BARRIERS TO RECEIVING ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE DUE TO ITS COSTS, AS WELL AS HAVING TRANSPORTATION TO CONSIDER. THE HEALTH FOUNDATION'S FLAGSHIP PROGRAM IS THE OPERATION OF WEST PARK, A CENTRALLY LOCATED MEDICAL CAMPUS JUST ONE-QUARTER MILE FROM OUR LOCAL HOSPITAL. TENANTS INCLUDE PRIMARY CARE, MEDICAL SPECIALISTS, DENTAL CARE, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES. THE CAMPUS CONNECTS TO THE YADKIN RIVER GREENWAY AND HOSTS BOTH A PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUND AND AN ADULT EXERCISE EQUIPMENT ZONE THAT ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC. THE CAMPUS IS ALSO HOME TO AN INDOOR MEETING SPACE THAT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS CAN RESERVE FREE OF CHARGE FOR MEETINGS OF UP TO 36 PEOPLE, COMPLETE WITH AUDIOVISUAL CAPABILITIES. THE CAMPUS'S CENTRAL GREENSPACE CAN ALSO BE RESERVED FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS "SAFE KIDS" EVENTS, THE START OF FUNDRAISING WALKS, OR SMALL GROUP EVENTS. THE "WILKES FRESH" MOBILE MARKET HAS ITS FOOD HUB AT WEST PARK AND ITS MOBILE UNIT SELLS AFFORDABLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THERE. THROUGH GRANTMAKING, WE EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE BY SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF WILKES COUNTY RESIDENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 October 1991.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Foundation Health LLC (Fairbanks, AK), EIN 81-3021580. 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.