He Sapa Otipi - Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
He Sapa Otipi restores hope, healing, and sovereignty by reclaiming Indigenous lifeways and uplifting the mind, body, and spirit of our people through cultural strength and community care.
- Income
- $641,753
- Spending
- $330,272
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 32.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $101,265, executive director
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 32.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 6 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
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, 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 (1)
- $231,994 spent. In Lakota, He Sapa translates to "Sacred Black Hills." Otipi translates to "The Center." He Sapa Otipi is organized and operated exclusively to revitalize traditional kinships and foster a sense of belonging within cultural wellness and community. The purpose of He Sapa Otipi is: A. To build a community center that provides a safe place for reconnecting Lakota well-being to character, ceremony, community, cultural awareness, and identity. B. To work as a hub of resources to educate and engage native populations, as well as to celebrate the richness of our shared values and heritage. C. To encourage a broader culture of unity and respect within the international indigenous community, and promote healing between native and non-native peoples for the betterment of the present and future generations. D. To be a dedicated and evolving voice, and we advocate for the best interest of all people, and welcome peoples from all nations. E. To promote workforce development for transitioning community members by overcoming obstacles to employment. He Sapa Otipi is actively working toward bringing an indigenous-hosted community center to Rapid City (Miniluzahan Otunwahe). The organization is currently engaged in an ongoing community outreach and co-design process that centers the voice of the Rapid City indigenous community, this process includes community surveys, interviews, talking circles, activities, and workshops.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.