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Worcester Community Action Council Inc

EIN 04-2382160 · Worcester, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE WORCESTER COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL, INC. IS HELPING PEOPLE MOVE TO ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH PROGRAMS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$41.3 million
Spending
$40.5 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
956
Volunteers
693
Highest pay
$196,072, executive director

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

    21 of 21 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. $28.8 million spent. LIHEAP - LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES A FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH WINTER HEATING BILLS FOR LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS. ENERGY ASSISTANCE PARTICIPANTS ARE SERVICED AT WCAC'S MAIN OFFICE IN WORCESTER, MA AND SIX OUTREACH SITES IN THE COUNCIL'S SERVICE AREA. WCAC PROCESSED APPLICATIONS FROM 15,988 HOUSEHOLDS IN FY 2025. WCAC OFFERS ENERGY CONSERVATION SERVICES FOR 1 TO 4 FAMILY UNIT BUILDINGS, OCCUPIED BY LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, INCLUDING WEATHERIZATION, HEATING SYSTEM REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT AND APPLIANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. $15,506,554 IN FEDERAL FUNDS WAS PAID DIRECTLY TO FUEL VENDORS FOR HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE. TOTAL FUEL CLIENTS SERVED FROM ALL SOURCES: 17,672.
  2. $3.6 million spent. HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SERVICES IN SOUTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN 0-5 YEARS OF AGE. HEAD START PROVIDES A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL COMPETENCE BY PROVIDING FOR INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, NUTRITION AND OTHER FACTORS. CAPACITY IS NOW AT 60 EARLY HEAD START AND 203 HEAD START. ACTUAL ENROLLMENT AT YEAR-END INCLUDING TURNOVER DURING THE YEAR, WAS 328 FOR BOTH PROGRAMS, 236 HEAD START AND 72 EARLY HEAD START.
  3. $3.9 million spent. THE JOB AND EDUCATION CENTER IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 SERVED 648 PARTICIPANTS. THE SERVICES PROVIDED HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY TEST PREPARATION CLASSES, CAREER PATHWAY TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND OTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. THIS PAST SUMMER THE JEC HAD 448 YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER JOBS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALMOST 70 EMPLOYERS.
  4. $1.7 million spent. VARIOUS PROGRAMS SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY WITH EDUCATION, CLIENT RELIEF, SERVICES TO YOUNG PARENTS, HEALTHY LIVING, FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND ADVOCACY SERVICES.

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 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 October 13, 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 September 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 July 1965.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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