Passes our checks

Hood Huggers Foundation

EIN 87-3225169 · Asheville, NC

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

What it says it does

HOOD HUGGERS FOUNDATION RESTORES THE GRASSROOTS REGENERATIVE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES USING THE ARTS, ENVIRONMENT, AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
0 of 35
Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 15
87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
5 of 5 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
0 of 5
Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15
Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$175,400 spent. UNDER INSTRUCTION (WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE) - PROVIDES WORKFORCE TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PARTICULARLY IN CONSTRUCTION, GREEN INDUSTRIES, AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. THIS INCLUDES YOUTHBUILD, WHICH PREPARES PARTICIPANTS FOR LIVING-WAGE EMPLOYMENT WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO DISASTER RECOVERY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
$45,763 spent. PEACE GARDENS & MARKET - A COMMUNITY MICRO-FARM AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPACE THAT PROMOTES FOOD JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION. IT OFFERS FREE PRODUCE TO LOCAL ELDERS, HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND HOSTS YOUTH-LED AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
$74,791 spent. BLUE NOTE JUNCTION - A DEVELOPING MIXED-USE COMMUNITY RESILIENCY HUB IN WEST ASHEVILLES HISTORIC BURTON STREET NEIGHBORHOOD, FEATURING A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, MARKET, ARTS AND HEALING SPACES, AND FUTURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT SUPPORTS CLIMATE RESILIENCE, APPALACHIAN/WNC CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THROUGH SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 March 2022.
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.