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Texas Heart Institute

EIN 74-6053200 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Texas Heart Institute (THI) is to reduce the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovative and progressive programs in research, education, and improved patient care.

Income
$24.7 million
Spending
$43.2 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
30 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 48%
Employees
206
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$1.1 million, president & ceo

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 75% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (2)
  1. $21.2 million spent. Medical Research - The goals that Dr. Denton A. Cooley and his colleagues first laid out for the Texas Heart Institute in 1962 still hold true for the THI research community. Research groups led by scientists and physician-scientists collaborate to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiovascular diseases. The critical need for this research is clear. Cardiovascular disease, or diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including stroke, is the leading cause of death globally. In the United States alone, approximately 2,300 people die of heart and vascular disease each day, or about one person every 38 seconds. THI's goal is to improve the lives of people with cardiovascular disease by translating our innovative approaches into safe and effective clinical treatments, diagnostic methods, and medical devices. This requires moving our discoveries from the lab bench through preclinical studies to clinical trials for eventual use with patients. THI investigators are also studying the risk factors that may cause people to develop heart and vascular disease and seeking ways to prevent people from developing these illnesses.
  2. $9.0 million spent. Education - A strong educational focus remains a central part of the Texas Heart Institute's mission. This includes the education of clinical fellows and postdoctoral fellows/early career scientists; continuing education of practicing physicians, clinical researchers, scientists, and other healthcare professionals; and outreach programs designed to bring heart health awareness and education to the community. The ACCME-accredited THI Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) hosts a range of conferences, symposia, and other events to meet the educational needs of the professionals listed above, and several seminar series promote dissemination of the latest clinical approaches and scientific findings. Additionally, the peer-reviewed Texas Heart Institute Journal is published online as an open-access resource for members of the cardiovascular medicine 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

  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 December 2024.

    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 May 1964.

    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.

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.