Humanities Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To develop the highest quality affordable and workforce housing possible while enhancing the lives of our residents and improving the communities in which we develop through affordability, education and advocacy.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 2,104
- Highest pay
- $219,150, treasurer/secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 9 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
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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
- $810,250 spent. Affordable Housing Program: As a non-profit developer, Humanities Foundation plays a crucial role in facilitating affordable housing projects from inception to completion. Our organization serves various roles, ranging from general partner and managing member to developer, allowing us to access funds exclusively available to nonprofit entities. We provide essential financing to projects and collaborate with construction professionals, including engineers, architects, and builders, to realize affordable housing developments. Upon construction completion, Humanities Foundation engages professional management companies to handle property marketing, leasing, and maintenance. Affordable housing encompasses a broad spectrum of income levels and price ranges. What truly defines housing as "affordable" is the rent or mortgage payment relative to an individual or family's income. According to the federal government, rental housing is considered "affordable" if residents pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Mortgage lenders generally evaluate a home's affordability when the mortgage payment does not exceed 35 percent of the borrower's income. In assessing affordability in relation to income, we employ the term "Area Median Income" (AMI), calculated and published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The term "median" indicates that half of all households in the area have income greater than this amount. The Humanities Foundation prioritizes affordable units for individuals with incomes within the 30% to 80% AMI range. This means that residents in our communities earn less than half of the average income compared to the entire regional population. AMI serves as the basis for calculating rental amounts according to the 30% of income standard for affordable housing. We utilize public and private partnerships to ensure that rent remains affordable and that construction and maintenance costs do not place a burden on our residents. Recognizing the need for supportive services, the Humanities Foundation has established a range of strategic partnerships to offer services such as health screenings, health education programs, after-school activities, youth summer camps, meals, on-site food banks, and community gardens. In our housing program, we've undertaken various projects: Magnolia 61: A 60-unit apartment complex designed for seniors aged 55 and older located at 1830 Magwood Drive, Charleston, SC. Hampton West Apartments: A 41-unit apartment development catering to seniors aged 55 and older with incomes at or below 100% of the area median income, situated at 554 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC.Shady Grove Apartments: A 72-unit apartment complex constructed for seniors aged 62 and older with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 1725 Savage Road, Charleston, South Carolina. Seven Farms Apartments: A 72-unit apartment community created for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 305 Seven Farms Drive and Daniel Island Drive, Charleston, South Carolina. Ivy Ridge Apartments: A 72-unit apartment development designed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at 2215 Greenridge Road, North Charleston, South Carolina. Pine Hill Apartments: A 72-unit apartment complex constructed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 117 Yellow Jasmine Road, Orangeburg, South Carolina. Grandview Apartments: A 72-unit apartment building designed for seniors with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at 1850 Magwood Road, Charleston, South Carolina. Waterford Village: A 96-unit apartment development catering to families with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 61 Waterford Loop, Staunton, Virginia. Seven Farms Village: A 42-unit apartment building constructed for seniors with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at 305 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, South Carolina. Arbor Hill Senior Apartments: A 56-unit apartment building created for seniors with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 388 East Shamrock, Pineville, Louisiana. Montague Terrace Apartments: A 96-unit apartment complex constructed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at 28 Montague Court, Stuarts Draft, Virginia. Regent Park Apartments: A 72-unit apartment community designed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 680 Windsor Lake Way, Columbia, South Carolina. The Gardens Senior Apartments: A 55-unit apartment building created for seniors with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at 4949 Hooper Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Puddledock Place Apartments: An 84-unit apartment complex constructed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 4270 Anne Terrace, Prince George, Virginia. Puddledock Place Apartments II: A 72-unit apartment development designed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at 1955 Denmark Square, Prince George, Virginia.Ashleigh Place: An 80-unit apartment building constructed for seniors with incomes 50% and 60% below the area median income, located at Timber Trail Road, Richmond Hill, GA 31324. Cavalier Senior Apartments: An 80-unit apartment building designed for seniors with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at Cavalier Drive, Petersburg, Virginia. Mintbrook Senior Apartments: An 80-unit apartment building created for seniors with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at 4475 Bacon Street, Bealton, Virginia. Cavalier Apartments II: A 66-unit apartment complex constructed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, located at Cavalier Drive, Petersburg, Virginia.New Post Apartments: A 102-unit apartment development designed for families with incomes 50% below the area median income, situated at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Keswick Senior Apartments: A 100-unit apartme
- $621,067 spent. Affordable Housing Development: Our organization offers services that identify new opportunities for affordable housing and assess the feasibility of developments intended to benefit low-income families and seniors. Collaborating closely with our partners, Humanities Foundation actively pursues sites that qualify for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Through innovative funding strategies, we have harnessed resources such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME funds, Federal Home Loan Bank funds, Lowcountry Housing Trust contributions, and other grants. These resources have enabled us to develop over 2,500 affordable housing units across South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Virginia.
- $128,604 spent. Shelternet Program: The Humanities Foundation's Shelternet program provides critical support to families and individuals facing crises or setbacks. By extending emergency financial assistance, we empower them to remain in their homes and safeguard vital utility services, including gas, electricity, and water. This initiative is targeted at recipients whose incomes fall below 50% of the area median income. To ensure the program's sustainability, Shelternet's operating costs are covered by the Foundation's operational funds. Since its inception, the program has assisted more than 55,000 individuals in their times of need.
- $333,196 spent. Resident Services and Marketplace Food Program: Our Marketplace program, operated in collaboration with strategic partners like local churches, school districts, food pantries, and community organizations, strives to alleviate food insecurity. Utilizing a fleet of five refrigerated cargo vans and coordinated efforts by dedicated staff, we distribute food to apartment residents, organize community distributions, and address food deserts. Since its launch in 2014, the program has delivered over 10 million pounds of fresh food, equivalent to one meal per pound. Additionally, we're actively expanding our Telemedicine program to bridge the gap caused by transportation challenges, enabling low-income seniors to connect with their healthcare providers through video services from the comfort of their homes.Our transportation services not only facilitate access to community events, health fairs, and educational programs but also foster a sense of camaraderie among residents during shopping trips. We take pride in offering after-school and summer programs that feature a diverse range of activities, including educational tours, arts and crafts, sports and recreation, entrepreneurship, technology workshops, and mentoring. These programs are a tribute to the memory of Reverend Clementa Pinckney, a fervent advocate for education and youth development. In response to the tragic events of 2015 at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, these initiatives stand as a testament to our commitment to community enrichment.In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that emerged in March 2020, the Humanities Foundation has intensified its resident services and community outreach efforts. To date, we've provided emergency financial assistance to more than 55,000 families, ensuring their access to utility services to prevent disconnection or eviction. Our Marketplace food pantry program has contributed to over 10 million distributed meals through more than 400 curbside food distributions. Furthermore, we've assisted residents with information about virtual healthcare options, financial support, and access to telecommunications for remote learning, acknowledging the evolving needs of our community.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 June 1992.
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.