Heppner Community Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
HEPPNER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (HCF) IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INNOVATION IN SOUTH MORROW COUNTY. IN ADDITION TO MANAGING COMMUNITY SPACES AND A BUSINESS INNOVATION HUB, HCF IS A GUIDING AND MENTORING FORCE LOOKING TO CULTIVATE AND SUSTAIN THE EASTERN OREGON WE ALL WANT TO LIVE IN.
- Income
- $506,165
- Spending
- $509,250
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 61%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $12,600, board 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
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 252 of 5 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
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $437,481 spent. THE ACQUISITION, RENOVATION, MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE BUILDING FURTHER THE HEPPNER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S (HCF) CHARITABLE PURPOSES BY LESSENING THE BURDENS OF GOVERNMENT, PRESERVING AND MAINTAINING A PUBLIC BUILDING, AND ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE GREATER HEPPNER COMMUNITY TO COMBAT COMMUNITY DETERIORATION. THE BUILDING SERVES AS A COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EVENTS SUCH AS MEETINGS, CELEBRATIONS, AND OTHER GATHERINGS. PROVIDING MEETING AND EVENT SPACE TO LOCAL GROUPS STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL TIES. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.THE RENOVATED BUILDING IS THE ONLY INDOOR SPACE WITHIN A 50-MILE RADIUS THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE GROUPS OF MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE, AS WELL AS ACCOMMODATE SMALLER GROUPS FOR CIVIC MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. THE UPPER FLOOR OF THE BUILDING FEATURE DORMITORY-STYLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR GROUPS. THIS IS THE ONLY LODGING AVAILABLE WITHIN 45 MILES FOR SCHOOL GROUPS AND AMATEUR SPORTS TEAMS VISITING THE HEPPNER AREA FOR SPECIAL EVENTS. THE AVAILABILITY OF THE LODGING SPACE IN THE BUILDING WILL LEAD TO MORE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE FUTURE. FOR EXAMPLE, HEPPNER WILL BE ABLE TO HOST VISITING TEAMS FOR SPORTS TOURNAMENTS FOR LOCAL YOUTH. LOCAL NON-PROFIT AND FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN SCHEDULE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEETINGS AND EVENTS IN THE BUILDING. TO OFFSET THE COSTS OF PRESERVING AND MAINTAINING AND THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE HISTORIC BUILDING, HCF CHARGES A NOMINAL FEE TO GROUPS FOR THE USE OF THE BUILDING.LIVING IN A RURAL AREA CAN HAVE MANY OBSTACLES WHEN IT COMES TO ENGAGING IN SAFE AND HEALTHY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. THESE COMMUNITY LEVEL BARRIERS CAN INCLUDE AFFORDABILITY, LOCATION/DISTANCE TO FACILITIES, COST, ETC. TO HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUED HCF OPENED UP A FITNESS CENTER IN 2021 (LOTTS) THAT HAS PROVIDED SOME MUCH NEEDED ATTENTION TO THE HEALTH AND FITNESS IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITY, AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. WE PRIORITIZE PROVIDING LOCAL AND ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEPPNER'S CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AND CREATE COMMUNITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOWARD AND BETH BRYANT FOUNDATION, THE HCF WORKS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS. WE ASSIST WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES BY PARTNERING WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE THE OPPORTUNITIES OF ALL HEPPNER RESIDENTS. WE STRIVE TO BE A HUB OF INNOVATION FOR OUR MOST CREATIVE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKERS TO CONNECT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH MORROW COUNTY. WE ARE A GUIDING AND MENTORING FORCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LOOKING TO CULTIVATE AND SUSTAIN THE HEPPNER THEY WANT TO LIVE IN.IN 2025 HCF FOCUSED ON THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * INNOVATION HUB: THE INNOVATION HUB HAS BEEN UTILIZED BY SEVERAL LOCAL NON-PROFITS FOR PUBLIC AS WELL AS PRIVATE MEETINGS, INCLUDING THE WILLOW CREEK VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP, HEPPNER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WILLOW CREEK PARK DISTRICT, HEPPNER DAYCARE AND NUMEROUS OTHERS. THE INNOVATION HUB HAS BEEN UTILIZED FOR SEVERAL CO-STARTER EVENTS HOSTED BY HCF IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEPPNER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT ARE DEDICATED TOWARDS LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS SMART UP CLASSES TO HELP THEM GAIN FOOTING AND UNDERSTAND HOW TO RUN AND MANAGE THEIR GROWING BUSINESS. THE KITCHEN IS ALSO UTILIZED BY LOCAL ARTISANS TO HAVE A COMMERCIAL SPACE TO CREATE THEIR ITEMS. OUR LOCAL NON-PROFIT DEDICATED TO SENIOR CITIZENS, SENIORS MATTERS, UTILIZES THE SPACE TO HOST MONTHLY COOKING CLASSES. THE SPACE HAS ALSO BEEN USED TO HOST SEVERAL COMMUNITY EVENTS.* TIBBLES HOUSE: THE TIBBLES HOUSE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY RENTED TO THE MORROW COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT FOR USE OF HOUSING THEIR EMPLOYEES. WE CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE PROPERTY, AND IT IS CURRENTLY BEING USED BY THEIR INTERIM CEO.* SOUTH MORROW ART CENTER: THE SOUTH MORROW ART CENTER IS LOCATED AT THE INNOVATION HUB. THEY HAVE CREATED A SPACE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS TO DISPLAY THEIR WORK. THE ART CENTER RUNS PROGRAMMING FOR BOTH SENIOR CITIZENS AS WELL AS SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. THE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN EVENT WAS SO POPULAR THAT IT REQUIRED THEM TO DOUBLE THEIR DAYS OFFERING THE PROGRAM.* MARKET 87: MARKET 87 IS A SPACE ON MAIN STREET CREATED, MANAGED AND STAFFED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HEPPNER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR LOCAL ARTISANS TO DISPLAY AND SELL THEIR GOODS. IT HAS BEEN AN ASTOUNDING SUCCESS AND HAS SEEN 46 NON-CONCURRENT ARTISANS AND IS CURRENTLY HOSTING GOODS FROM 36 ARTISANS.* FOUNDERS FORUM: HEPPNER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HOSTED THE OREGON FUNDERS FORUM. WHICH IS A GROUP OF GRANT GIVING NON-PROFITS THAT SERVE OUR COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE FORD FAMILY FOUNDATION, OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ETC. WE GAVE THEM A TOUR OF THE COMMUNITY AND OUR PROJECTS AS WELL AS HOSTED THEM FOR A COMMUNITY DINNER IN THEIR HONOR.* COMMUNITY DINNER: HCF HOSTED TWO COMMUNITY DINNERS THIS YEAR. BOTH WERE SOLD OUT EVENTS AND EXTREME SUCCESS WITH THE ENTIRE BOARD AS WELL AS ALL EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS.
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 May 2019.
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: Collier Community Foundation Inc (Naples, FL), EIN 59-2396243. 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.