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Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center

EIN 94-2536500 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BHNC focuses on the needs of people with low and moderate incomes. We work to accomplish our mission by: (1) developing affordable housing throughout San Francisco; (2) providing linguistically and culturally responsive services to our community's most vulnerable adults, seniors, youth and their families; (3) developing leaders, organizing and empowering our tenants, clients, members and allies to advocate for their needs and for the needs of the community.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
44
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$247,662, 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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. $317,337 spent. Youth programs: to meet and overcome the challenges faced by teens and young adults, programs were developed that create a network of comprehensive, supportive services to provide empowerment and leadership development opportunities for our youth. BHNC has developed effective gang prevention, case management, leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy training, recreation and employment services and food justice education. Youth and their families receive positive alternatives that do make a difference in a young person's life. BHNC also provides year-round youth employment training through the Mayor's Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP).
  2. $784,085 spent. Senior services: Programs designed to improve the quality of life of elders through services including daily lunch service, home food delivery, food pantry, educational and recreational programming, health and wellness programs, home safety, and social services for elders coping with difficult problems. Our goal is to provide empowerment and leadership development opportunities for seniors in our community.
  3. $102,238 spent. Community outreach and organizing programs: Designed to empower, inform, and develop the civic capacity of citizens in the community. BHNC runs and facilitates issue-based campaigns, hosts and facilitates regular community convening neighborhood hotspot walks, public safety forums, and organizes annual community events, such as fiesta on the hill, community congress, holiday toy giveaway and the hill wide garage sale.
  4. $1.6 million spent. Housing programs: Programs designed to construct, rehabilitate, and operate housing for individuals and families with low-income and special needs. BHNC also provides onsite services to include community development, relocation services, community engagement, onsite public safety meetings, and resident leadership training.

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 November 6, 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 December 1978.

    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 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.