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Passes our checks

Bienestar Inc

EIN 93-0860753 · Hillsboro, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong91 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BIENESTAR BUILDS AND OPERATES AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES EARNING JUST 60% OR LESS OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME. OUR PORTFOLIO CONSISTS OF OVER 750 UNITS OF HOUSING THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON AND COLUMBIA COUNTIES, PROVIDING HOMES TO MORE THAN 2,500 PEOPLE.

Income
$9.8 million
Spending
$9.5 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
14.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
34
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$141,799, 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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

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 (4)
  1. $6.8 million spent. BIENESTAR OWNS AND OPERATES 774 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE MULTIFAMILY HOUSING FOR FAMILIES EARNING 60% OR LESS OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME. IN 2024, BIENESTAR COMPLETED PLAZA LOS AMIGOS, A 113-UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN CORNELIUS, OREGON.
  2. $1.1 million spent. BIENESTAR'S SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES TEAM WORKS DILIGENTLY ON PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, RESTORATION, AND STABILIZATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE HOUSELESS, AT-RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS, OR FACING HOUSING INSTABILITY. USING A TRAUMA INFORMED LENS, WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND EDUCATION SERVICES FOR UNDERSERVED AND MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH. IN 2024, WE HELPED 434 HOUSEHOLDS ACCESS THE SERVICES THEY NEEDED TO HELP STABILIZE THEIR LIVING SITUATION.
  3. $677,994 spent. BIENESTAR'S HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS A PATH TO ASSET-BUILDING, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, PROVIDING FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER AND FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION, ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING FOR RENTERS, PRE-/POST-PURCHASE, AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, AND DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO HELP FAMILIES BUILD INTERGENERATIONAL WEALTH.
  4. PROVIDE ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO ENSURE FISCAL AND PHYSICAL COMPLIANCE AND HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ITS RESIDENTS.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.