Hortus Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Foundation seeks to promote the orthodox, Magisterial Catholic faith and tradition through formation activities, tools, and materials that edify; to evangelize through film, art, architecture, and archaeology; to deepen appreciation of Catholic history through religious pilgrimages to, and restoration and preservation of, churches, shrines, and other religious sites worldwide that have spiritual, historical, architectural, and/or artistic significance; to engage in projects that manifest principles of solidarity, charity to the poor, and Catholic Social Teaching; to support related activities of Catholic dioceses, religious orders, ministries, apostolates, and other religious entities with similar visions and goals; and to promote devotion to Saint Angelo DAcri.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 2
- Highest pay
- $240,000, president
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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 80% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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)
- $887,727 spent. Hortus Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 US nonprofit that champions and stewards life-transforming Catholic initiatives through Faith, Truth, and Beauty according to the incomparably rich tradition of the Catholic Church. Hortus is Latin meaning garden and is often specifically associated with a garden that bears fruit. It is the root of English words today like horticulture, cohort, and court. Our logo is a tree in a garden deeply rooted to bear much fruit and to herald the Catholic Faith in the world today. We herald the Catholic Faith by projects and initiatives that will:a) Promote the Orthodox Magisterial tradition through formation activities, tools, and materials that edify.b) Invest in Catholic cultural projects that range from film, art, architecture, archeology, and history.c) Engage in projects of Catholic principles of Solidarity, Charity to the poor, and the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church.d)Select projects following the above criteria that command a wide-reaching impact and will bear much fruit in the world.e) Partner with other great organizations that share our organizational values and mission.
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 September 2021.
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.