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Needham Community Council Inc

EIN 04-2121365 · Needham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NEEDHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH SUPPORTS PEOPLE IN NEEDHAM WHO HAVE UNDER-MET HEALTH, EDUCATIONAL OR SOCIAL NEEDS AND PROMOTES VOLUNTEERISM, COMMUNITY AND A SENSE OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
30.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
19
Volunteers
253
Highest pay
$135,500, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 19 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $455,903 spent. -ACCESSING HEALTHY FOODS IN NEEDHAM-THE FOOD PANTRY HELPS TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR OVER 600 NEEDHAM RESIDENTS. THE PANDEMIC HAS HAD A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE RESIDENTS OF NEEDHAM WHO ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF FOOD INSECURITY. AS THE NEED FOR FOOD HAS INCREASED SO HAS OUR COMMITMENT TO NOT JUST PROVIDING FOOD BUT OFFERING HEALTHY, FRESH FOOD THAT WILL GIVE OUR CUSTOMERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR WELLBEING THROUGH NUTRITIOUS MEALS. WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING FROM FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND LEAN PROTEINS TO CLEANING SUPPLIES AND TOILETRY ITEMS. OUR CUSTOMERS SHOP WITH US TWO TIMES A MONTH AND BENEFIT FROM OTHER PROGRAMS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THEIR NEEDS LIKE THE HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM AND THE BIRTHDAY PROGRAM.
  2. $136,443 spent. -ACCESSING TRANSPORTATION FOR ALL-COUNCIL CARE RIDES PROVIDE LYFT RIDES TO NEEDHAM RESIDENTS OVER AGE 18 WHO REQUIRE TRANSPORTATION TO ESSENTIAL APPOINTMENTS. BECAUSE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN NEEDHAM CAN BE LIMITED AND UNRELIABLE, AND SOME RESIDENTS LACK ACCESS TO A VEHICLE OR THE TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED TO ARRANGE RIDE SHARE SERVICES, THIS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN REACH MEDICAL, SOCIAL SERVICE, AND OTHER CRITICAL APPOINTMENTS SAFELY AND DEPENDABLY.
  3. $54,204 spent. -FREE ENGLISH LEARNING FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN NEEDHAM-TRAINED ELL VOLUNTEERS HELP ADULT LEARNERS AT ALL LEVELS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. TUTORS HELP STUDENTS WHO ARE NEW TO THE US LEARN ENGLISH AND ADJUST TO THE CHALLENGES OF LIVING IN THEIR NEW CULTURE. SUCCESSFUL TUTORS ARE WELCOMING, PATIENT, FLEXIBLE AND ABLE TO WORK WITH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BE FLUENT ENGLISH SPEAKERS AND FAMILIAR WITH AMERICAN CULTURE. VOLUNTEERS ATTEND A FALL OR SPRING TRAINING SERIES THAT PREPARES THEM TO WORK WITH ELL LEARNERS. AFTER COMPLETING THE TRAINING, THE TUTORS ARE PLACED WITH A STUDENT WHOSE SCHEDULE MATCHES THEIR OWN. PAIRS THEN MEET REGULARLY ONCE A WEEK, FOCUSING ON THE STUDENT'S PARTICULAR NEEDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 2025.

    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 August 1973.

    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.

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