What HEARTH FOUNDATION INC does

Hearth Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 in Tucson, Arizona, that provides affordable housing and related support programs for low-income individuals and families. It operates the King Road Community, a renovated eight-unit affordable housing property that received Crime Free Multi-Housing certification from the Tucson Police Department in 2013, and is planning a 20-unit Thurber community with mixed one- and two-bedroom units. The foundation distinguishes itself as the only REALTOR/Real Estate community foundation in the United States, a position established through its origins as a joint project of the Tucson Association of Realtors and Arizona Certified Residential Specialist. It delivers tenant-facing services including Welcome Baskets for new move-ins, community events such as Thanksgiving Dinner, Back to School supply drives, and Holiday events, plus a volunteer-driven operational model.

The business model is donation-dependent rather than revenue-generating in a commercial sense. Funding streams include Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donations (qualifying donors for credits up to $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples filing jointly via form 321 and code 20517), general donations ranging from $10 to $987 processed through a BigCommerce storefront, engraved brick purchases ($100-$575) supporting the Rebuilding Lives Brick Campaign at St. Philip's Plaza, and annual signature fundraising events. The organization employs only one full-time Executive Director (Lynn Hellwig) and one part-time Administrative Assistant (Erin Smith), with all Board of Directors members serving as volunteers drawn from the Tucson real estate ecosystem. Technology infrastructure is limited to a Homestead-designed website, BigCommerce donation storefront, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter), with no proprietary platform, AI capabilities, or disclosed integrations.

Name

HEARTH FOUNDATION INC

Legal name

Hearth Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://thehearthfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hearth Foundation Inc. is a Tucson, Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing affordable housing to low-income families through its eight-unit King Road Community, with a planned 20-unit Thurber expansion, funded primarily via Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donations, brick campaigns, and signature fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Nonprofit housing
• Low-income housing
• Community housing programs
• Housing for working poor

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tax Credit Donations: Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donations - qualified charitable organization allowing donors to claim Arizona state income tax credits. Donations up to $800 for married couples filing jointly and $400 for individuals.
2. General Donations: One-time donations at various price points ($10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $495, $987) processed through BigCommerce e-commerce platform with credit card acceptance.
3. Brick Campaign Sales: Engraved brick purchases for Fountain Courtyard walkway at St. Philip's Plaza. Single bricks $100, double bricks $200. Supports Rebuilding Lives fundraising campaign.
4. Signature Fundraising Events: Annual signature fundraising events including Thanksgiving Dinner, Back to School supplies, Holiday Decorating Contests, and Community Christmas Party.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Hearth Foundation operates King Road Community, an eight-unit affordable housing property in Tucson, Arizona, providing stable housing for low-income families and individuals experiencing homelessness. The foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1987 as a joint project by members of the Tucson Association of Realtors and the Arizona Certified Residential Specialist. It supplements the housing with community-building programs (Welcome Baskets, signature fundraising events) and accepts Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donations and engraved-brick purchases to fund operations and a planned 20-unit expansion (Thurber project).

Product overview

The Hearth Foundation operates as a non-profit affordable housing organization providing a single core property (King Road Community) supported by various supplementary programs. The organization offers online donations through a BigCommerce e-commerce platform, a brick fundraising campaign, and community support services including Welcome Baskets and community events. Their tax credit donation program enables Arizona state tax credits for donors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• King Road Community An eight-unit affordable housing complex in Tucson, Arizona, with small yards, energy-efficient units, a six-foot block wall with security gate entrance, and Crime Free Multi-Housing certification by the Tucson Police Department. Provided to qualifying low-income families and individuals facing homelessness.
• Rebuilding Lives Brick Campaign

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• La Frontera of ArizonaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided guidance for 2013 King Road Community renovation project. Advisory and collaborative support role during property renovation.
• Keller Williams RealtyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated picnic area with tables and grills for King Road Community residents. Community enhancement contribution to affordable housing property.
• St. Philip's Plaza (Management and Merchants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsorship and support for Rebuilding Lives Brick Campaign. Provides Fountain Courtyard location at St. Philip's Plaza for engraved brick walkway. Phase One campaign with 300 bricks capacity.
• Alliance of Arizona NonprofitsminorOthersMember of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits - industry association providing support and resources for nonprofit organizations in Arizona.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)minorOthersMember of Association of Fundraising Professionals. Adopted AFP's Code of Ethical Principles and Standards for maintaining public trust.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC): Arizona-based nonprofit operating affordable housing, workforce, education, and integrated health services across the state. Direct competitor for affordable housing tenants, government housing contracts, and donor dollars; offers a more diversified and scaled operating model.
• Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness: Regional planning and advocacy body coordinating housing and homelessness services across Pima County. Comparable in addressing affordable housing gaps in the same geography, though positioned more as a convener and policy actor than direct service provider.
• Primavera Foundation: Tucson-based nonprofit providing transitional housing, workforce development, and self-sufficiency programs for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Comparable in mission and geography, serving overlapping low-income client populations with a broader service portfolio.
• Habitat for Humanity Tucson: Local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity operating in Tucson, providing affordable housing for low-income families through new home construction and rehabilitation. Direct competitor for affordable housing donor dollars, volunteers, and qualified low-income clients in the same Pima County geography.
• National Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunities Foundation: National REALTOR-affiliated nonprofit addressing housing affordability and shelter needs. Closest analog in terms of REALTOR-community-foundation identity and mission, though operating at national scale and funding multiple local programs rather than owning/managing properties directly.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: The parent organization overseeing U.S. Habitat affiliates including the Tucson affiliate. A scaled, established incumbent in affordable homeownership with national brand recognition, donor infrastructure, and ReStore retail operations — competing for the same low-income families and corporate donors.

Others

• Community Foundation for Southern Arizona: Regional grantmaking foundation serving southern Arizona with discretionary and donor-advised funds. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) foundation infrastructure in the same geography, though it operates as a funder rather than direct service provider — potential partner or grant source for Hearth.
• Arizona Department of Housing: State agency administering federal and state affordable housing funds in Arizona. Already an existing financial partner of Hearth, and is a key funding source and regulatory gatekeeper for affordable housing operators throughout the state.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheHearthAZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Hearth-Foundation-135040103332
• Instagraminstagram.com/hearthfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hearth-foundation-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HEARTH FOUNDATION INC