Proud Ground
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROVIDE PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES USING THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST MODEL, UNDER WHICH PROUD GROUND ADMINISTERS SUBSIDY FUNDS TO BUY DOWN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF HOMES. RESALE PROVISIONS ENSURE HOMES' PERMANENT AFFORDABILITY.
- Income
- $11.4 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -278.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $151,507, executive dir.
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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 81% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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 (2)
- $1.6 million spent. HOMEBUYER, HOMEOWNER AND OUTREACH SERVICESCOMMUNITY OUTREACH DELIBERATE RESEARCH AND DIALOGUE RESULTED IN AN OUTREACH STRATEGY THAT HAS INCREASED THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVICE TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND STRENGTHENED ITS ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS FOR THESE HOUSEHOLDS. THE ORGANIZATION USES A COMBINATION OF GRASS ROOTS ACTIVITIES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND OUTREACH STRATEGIES TO REACH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM AND HOME BUYING OPPORTUNITIES. ALL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES INCORPORATE CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE MATERIALS AND METHODS, WITH TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETERS PROVIDED TO NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS.HOME BUYER EDUCATION AND COUNSELING A KEY COMPONENT OF THE ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IS ITS HUD-APPROVED, EDUCATION AND COUNSELING PROVIDED TO PROSPECTIVE AND ACTIVE HOME BUYERS. HUD AND NEIGHBORWORKS CERTIFIED COUNSELORS ASSIST HOUSEHOLDS WORKING TOWARDS MORTGAGE READINESS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL COACHING AND REFERRAL TOPICS THAT INCLUDE DEBT REDUCTION; IMPROVING CREDIT SCORES; BUDGETING; AND CREATING A SAVINGS PLAN. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS AND WORKSHOPS.HOMEBUYER CRITERIA ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEBUYERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND:(1)THE ORGANIZATIONS FREE HOMEOWNERSHIP ORIENTATION CLASS;(2)HOMEBUYING 101 CLASS, AN 8-HOUR EDUCATION CLASS PROVIDED BY A SEPARATE, APPROVED ORGANIZATION.THESE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ARE IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIREMENTS THAT HOMEBUYERS MEET INCOME AND OTHER FUNDER-REQUIRED CRITERIA (E.G., FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER STATUS).POST-PURCHASE, HOMEOWNER SUPPORT TO PROMOTE HOMEOWNER STABILITY AND SUCCESS, THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEOWNERS HAVE ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF RESOURCES. POST-SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE THE OFFER OF HOME INSPECTIONS BY PROJECT MANAGEMENT STAFF TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOME MAINTENANCE; IDA MATCHING GRANTS FOR APPROVED HOME REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AND FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES; HOMEOWNER NEWSLETTERS, SURVEYS, AND WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR; ASSISTANCE WITH HOME LOAN REFINANCING AND OTHER LENDER-RELATION ISSUES.MEMBERSHIP THE ORGANIZATION IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION. MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ANYONE WHO LIVES OR WORKS IN PROUD GROUNDS SERVICE AREA AND DONATES AT LEAST $25 A YEAR; ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEOWNERS ARE AUTOMATICALLY MEMBERS. THE ORGANIZATION ISSUES REGULAR NEWSLETTERS AND ONE ANNUAL REPORT TO ALL MEMBERS, STAKEHOLDERS, DONORS, AND FUNDERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOLDS AN ANNUAL MEETING AT WHICH MEMBERS AND OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE RECEIVE AN ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE AND ELECT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UNLESS THE ELECTION IS CONDUCTED BY MAIL.RESALE OF HOMES THE ORGANIZATION FACILITATES THE RESALE OF HOMES ON LAND HELD IN TRUST TO NEW ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS. FROM 1999 TO 2024, THERE HAVE BEEN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR (124) SUCH SALES.
- $341,430 spent. ACQUISITION AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENTNEW CONSTRUCTION THE ORGANIZATION HAS PARTNERED WITH PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT DEVELOPERS TO DESIGN, FINANCE, AND CONSTRUCT HOMES TO SELL TO INCOME-QUALIFIED BUYERS. THE ORGANIZATION EITHER OWNS THE LAND OR WILL RECEIVE THE TITLE TO THE LAND WHEN THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE SOLD TO A NEW HOMEOWNER. IN 2010, CONDOMINIUMS FIRST ENTERED THE ORGANIZATIONS PORTFOLIO. WITH CONDOMINIUMS, THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS A DEED COVENANT. FROM 1999 THROUGH THE END OF 2024, PROUD GROUND AND ITS PARTNERS BUILT 41 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND 214 RESIDENCES IN MULTI-FAMILY SETTINGS THAT ARE NOW OCCUPIED BY HOMEOWNERS.PROUD GROUND MAY CONSIDER THE ROLE OF LEAD DEVELOPER IN NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS DUE TO OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD MORE INVENTORY TO MEET THE STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION. EACH OPPORTUNITY FOR PROUD GROUND TO SERVE AS LEAD DEVELOPER IN NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL BE THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY BOARD AND STAFF TO DETERMINE PROJECT FEASIBILITY. BUYER-INITIATED GRANTS OFTEN FUNDS ARE PROVIDED FROM EXTERNAL SOURCE/SOURCES TO OFFER HOME BUYERS GRANTS WITH WHICH TO PURCHASE HOMES ON THE OPEN MARKET; THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT BUYS DOWN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE HOME, MAKING IT AFFORDABLE TO LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME AND/OR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS. OFTEN THE GRANTS COME WITH GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTIONS AND/OR REQUIRE THAT A PORTION OF THE GRANT BE USED TOWARD NECESSARY REPAIRS AND/OR ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES. ALL HOMES PURCHASED WITH SUCH GRANTS BECOME PART OF THE ORGANIZATIONS PORTFOLIO OF PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOMES, WITH PROUD GROUND RECEIVING TITLE TO THE LAND. FROM 1999 TO DECEMBER 31, 2024, 235 BUYER-INITIATED GRANTS HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.ACQUISITION REHAB OFTEN FUNDS ARE PROVIDED TO THE LLC TO PURCHASE AND RENOVATE DISTRESSED HOMES. AFTER FULL RENOVATION, THE HOMES ARE OFFERED FOR SALE TO INCOME-QUALIFIED BUYERS. SINCE 1999, FIFTY SEVEN (57) HOMES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED, RENOVATED AND SOLD THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.OTHER OCCASIONALLY EQUITY IN A HOUSE OR CONDOMINIUM IS DONATED TO THE ORGANIZATION WHEN SOLD TO A QUALIFIED HOMEBUYER. BETWEEN 1999 AND DECEMBER 31, 2024, EIGHT (8) HOMES ENTERED PROUD GROUNDS PORTFOLIO THIS WAY.
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 2025.
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 2001.
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.