About Us
History
The Help Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c), 509 (a)(1) organization under United Charitable, INC.
It’s Founder, Keith W. Hooper was a former Peace Corps Volunteer 54 years ago (1966-68). He met and married a fellow teacher, Paterna Bigcas in 1968. His experience in the Peace Corps had a profound effect on his life. During their working years, the couple continued to provide educational assistance to his wife’s 10 brothers and sisters and provided support to her parents. He vowed to return to the Philippines someday and work with the poor. However, in order to make a major impact on his goal of working with the poor and the Philippines, Mr. Hooper felt the need to establish a charitable foundation. At the recommendation of a friend, he applied to the United Charitable for a donor advised fund and it was approved. They named the foundation, the HELP Foundation (Humanitarian Efforts to Lessen Poverty in underprivileged children in the Philippines). Initially, they identified several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in the Philippines in need of assistance. Unfortunately, they discovered that the funds that were sent were not being used as intended. So they encouraged trustworthy individuals to establish a Philippine approved charity which was named The BigHoop Charitable Institution (SEC Reg. #: CN200626461) which is managed by a board of Directors. The Hoopers receive no compensation from the HELP Foundation nor from BigHoop Charities. Their goal is that every dollar donated to HELP is sent to the Philippines. They cover all of the administrative expenses associated with the foundation in the States and also provide funds to BigHoop Charities that are levied as administrative expenses through United Charitable. The Hoopers spend over $30,000 per year in operating and administrative expenses associated with the HELP Foundation and spend 6 months per year in the Philippines providing oversight to the many charitable programs. The foundation has grown steadily in the past 18+ years. In fact, we are expanding our Micro-Credit Program to Talakag’s neighboring Province, Misamis Oriental.
