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Capstone Community Action Inc

EIN 03-0216254 · Barre, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CAPSTONE COMMUNITY ACTION PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE ACHIEVE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING WITH DIGNITY AND DEVELOPS PARTNERSHIPS TO STRENGTHEN VERMONT COMMUNITIES. OUR COMMITMENT IS: TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY POVERTY, TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO MOVE OUT OF POVERTY, AND TO ADVOCATE FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR ALL VERMONTERS.

Income
$24.7 million
Spending
$23.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
219
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$169,139, executive director (former)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 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

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 September 30, 2025, 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. $7.3 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT (HEAD START):IN 2024-2025, CAPSTONE'S HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS PREPARED 287 YOUNG CHILDREN FOR FUTURE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE THROUGH THE OPERATION OF LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTERS, PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, AND PROVISION OF SERVICES TO FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES. CAPSTONE'S WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH PROVIDES A FULL CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT INCLUDING PARENT EDUCATION, PARENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTH, DENTAL, AND NUTRITION SERVICES, DISABILITY SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AS WELL AS RESOURCES AND REFERRALS FOR OTHER NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES. OUR BROOK STREET HIGH SCHOOL IS A MODEL FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM FOR TEEN PARENT EDUCATION, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE ACHIEVEMENT. BOTH BROOK STREET HIGH SCHOOL AND OUR LEARNING TOGETHER EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE LOCATED IN BARRE'S HISTORIC BROOKSIDE SCHOOL AND STRIVE TO BREAK THE BARRIERS OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY FOR AT-RISK YOUNG FAMILIES
  2. $8.7 million spent. WEATHERIZATION: CAPSTONE'S WEATHERIZATION TEAM IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING ENERGY EFFCIENCY AND COST SAVINGS FOR LOW-INCOME VERMONTERS. WE CONDUCT HOME ENERGY AUDITS, INSTALLATION OF INSULATION, DRAFT REDUCTION, HEATING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, INSTALLATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING, HOT WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT OR INSULATION, AND MORE. IN ADDITION, THIS PROGRAM OFFERS EMERGENCY HEATING SYSTEM REPLACEMENTS OR REPAIRS TO ENSURE PROPER SAFETY AND FUNCTIONING OF HOME HEATING SYSTEMS. IN 2024-2025, THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM SERVICED 448 HOMES, LOWERING AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD ENERGY USE AND CREATING HEALTHIER HOMES WHILE REDUCING CLIMATE IMPACT. OUR 3E THERMAL PROGRAM WORKS WITH OWNERS OF MULTI-UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, COMFORT, AND SAFETY OF THOSE OCCUPYING RENTAL UNITS. IN 2024-2025, THE 3E THERMAL PROGRAM SERVICED 424 RENTAL UNITS.
  3. $2.6 million spent. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES (FCSS): PROVIDES CRISIS ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN NEED OF HOUSING, UTILITIES, AND HOME HEATING FUEL. FCSS PROVIDES 24/7 COVERAGE DURING THE WINTER SEASON TO ENSURE A LACK OF FUEL DOES NOT CREATE UNSAFE HOME CONDITIONS FOR LOW-INCOME VERMONTERS. THIS YEAR, WE PROVIDED 840 ADULTS AND 527 CHILDREN WITH FUEL ASSISTANCE IN THE HARSH WINTER SEASON. CAPSTONE'S HOUSING SERVICES SUPPORT VERMONTERS LIVING IN MOTELS, ENCAMPMENTS, OR IN THEIR CARS. ONCE HOUSED, CAPSTONE SERVICES ARE CRITICAL TO KEEPING HOMELESS VERMONTERS IN SAFE TEMPORARY SHELTER OR PERMANENT HOMES. WE FIND HOUSING, VOUCHERS, AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO A WIDE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES. IN 2025, WE HELPED 1,453 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO ACCESS OR MAINTAIN HOUSING OR PROVIDED NAVIGATION TO UNHOUSED VERMONTERS.
  4. $2.6 million spent. COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CED):OUR FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY FOR LOW-INCOME VERMONTERS. WE OPERATE ONE OF THE LARGEST FOOD SHELVES IN THE CENTRAL VERMONT REGION. WE SERVED PREPARED MEALS AND PROVIDED HEALTHY FOOD TO HUNGRY VERMONTERS IN 8,685 VISITS. OUR CHILD CARE FOOD PROGRAM SUPPORTED 129 CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND 1,097 KIDS RECEIVED NUTRICIOUS MEALS ON A DAILY BASIS. OUR MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE FINANCIAL COACHING, MICRO BUSINESS COUNSELING, AND TAX ASSISTANCE. CAPSTONE PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL COACHING BY HELPING INDIVIDUALS DEVELOP BUDGETS, IMPROVE CREDIT, REDUCE DEBT, AND BUILD SAVINGS. IN 2024-2025, OUR FINANCIAL COACHING PROGRAM HELPED 522 INDIVIDUALS TO IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL STABILITY. MICROBUSINESS COUNSELING ASSISTS SELF-EMPLOYED, LOW-INCOME VERMONTERS WITH BUSINESS BASICS AND PLANNING. IN 2024-2025, CAPSTONE COUNSELED 241 ENTREPRENEURS. OUR TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM UTILIZED 30 VOLUNTEERS AND HELPED 1,672 LOW-INCOME VERMONTERS FILE THEIR TAXES IN 2025.CAPSTONE'S COMMUNITY KITCHEN ACADEMY (CKA) OFFERS LOW-INCOME VERMONTERS TRAINING FOR A CULINARY CAREER. STUDENTS ATTEND 9-WEEK TRAINING SESSIONS TO LEARN BASIC CULINARY SKILLS, FOOD SERVICE AND SAFETY, AND GENERAL JOB SKILLS. IN 2024-2025, 12 PEOPLE GRADUATED FROM CKA. HOUSING (PROSPECT FOREST):CAPSTONE PROVIDES NINE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN TWO BUILDINGS (HUD SECTION 8) IN RANDOLPHL VERMONT CALLED PROSPECT FOREST HOMES. TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE IMPACT:OUR MILEAGE SMART PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS OF UP TO $5,000 FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS TO SWITCH TO HIGH EFFICIENCY CARS. IN 2024-2025, 22 VEHICLES WERE SOLD AND VERMONTERS ARE NOW DRIVING A GAS HYBRID OR ELECTRIC VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL CAR DEALER. OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:IN 2024-2025, CAPSTONE CONTINUED TO OPERATE THE DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FUNDED BY FEMA AND PROVIDED FLOOD RECOVERY SUPPORT. IN 2024-2025, CAPSTONE SERVED 10,117 INDIVIDUALS AND 6,115 HOUSEHOLDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1965.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.