Adventist Health Mendocino Coast
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.
- Income
- $82.8 million
- Spending
- $91.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 390
- Volunteers
- 28
- Highest pay
- $4.0 million, dir/chair/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
Weak: 29 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 153% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 93 out of 100.
Independent board
18 of 252 of 3 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, 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)
- $66.3 million spent. Adventist Health Mendocino Coast (AHMC) provides quality medical healthcare regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, handicap, age, or ability to pay. AHMC is a mission-driven, not-for-profit healthcare organization located in the beautiful coastal town of Fort Bragg, California. As a 25-bed critical access hospital, AHMC is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care to the rural communities of Northern California. As part of a larger health system that spans 27 hospitals across three states, the Hospital is able to provide streamlined, patient-centered care while focusing on keeping services local whenever possible. AHMC is proud to be neighbors caring for neighbors, building a healthier future for the community together. Although reimbursement for services rendered is critical to the operation and stability of AHMC, the organization recognizes that not all individuals possess the ability to pay for essential medical services. Adventist Health's vision is to enhance the health of the communities where we live and serve by engaging our communities and our patients in a new definition of and partnership for personal community health. In keeping with this commitment to serve all members of the community, the following coverage will be considered when individuals who need health care cannot afford to pay: - Free care and/or subsidized care - Care to persons covered by governmental programs at/or below cost - Health/wellness activities and community education programs Not only does AHMC provide low-cost care to individuals covered by government programs, and those unable to afford healthcare, it also helps patients find and access private and governmental resources for healthcare benefits. AHMC recognizes below-cost reimbursement as charity and uncompensated care in meeting its mission to the entire community. The unreimbursed cost of providing care to these patients in 2024 was $950,128. The following Inpatient services were provided to all our patients: - 21,665 clinic visits - 872 discharges - 11,449 emergency room visits - 42 inpatient surgeries - 47,018 outpatient hospital visits - 607 outpatient surgeries - 4,458 patient days AHMC recognizes it has an obligation to provide human services above and beyond its role as a healing facility. Schedule H provides more details on the tangible ways in which the organization is fulfilling its mission. The total unreimbursed cost of these community benefits in 2024 was $4,632,342. Adventist Health's mission statement of living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope is coupled with a vision to transform the health experience of our communities through collaborative programs, community investments and community outreach. We are inspired by the healing ministry, as represented by the life of Jesus Christ, and believe we are called to live out our mission intentionally in the communities we serve. In the small towns, suburbs, and inner cities we serve, we continue our journey to provide quality healthcare until every person made in God's image has experienced the best health today, hope for tomorrow, and God's love that endures forever. Websites for our community benefit information: https://www.adventisthealth.org/about-us/community-benefit/
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 October 13, 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 May 2020.
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 October 21, 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.