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Community Catalyst Inc

EIN 04-3355127 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD THE POWER OF PEOPLE TO CREATE A HEALTH SYSTEM ROOTED IN RACE EQUITY AND HEALTH JUSTICE AND A SOCIETY WHERE HEALTH IS A RIGHT FOR ALL.

Income
$19.0 million
Spending
$37.1 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
118
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$371,632, co-interim president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 95% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $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 December 31, 2024, 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. $26.8 million spent. VOICES FOR HEALTH JUSTICE PROJECT IS BUILDING THE POWER OF HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ADVOCATES WITH A FOCUS ON GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, RACIAL JUSTICE AND ANTI-RACISM. THE PROJECT PROVIDES GRANTEES ACROSS SEVERAL STATES FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BASED ON COMMUNITY CATALYST'S SYSTEM OF ADVOCACY. EACH OF THESE PROJECTS EMPHASIZES BUILDING THE POWER OF PEOPLE AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL TO DEMAND AND WIN HEALTH SYSTEM POLICY CHANGE AT THE NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. THE ORGANIZATION MADE 88 GRANTS TO VARIOUS NONPROFITS. SEE SCHEDULE I FOR DETAIL.
  2. COVERAGE AND CARE: ORGANIZING FOR OUTREACH IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE OR BECOME UNINSURED AND HELP MAKE THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS MUCH EASIER. BY TEAMING UP WITH EXISTING GROUPS THAT ARE EMBEDDED IN COMMUNITIESINCLUDING NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT EXCEL IN POWER BUILDING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTSCCI IS ABLE TO REACH PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED AND INADEQUATELY-INSURED TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT KIND OF COVERAGE THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR, AND HELP THEM GET ENROLLED. CCI SUPPORTS ON-THE-GROUND OUTREACH, OFFERS TAILORED MESSAGES AND RESOURCES, AND BRINGS PARTNERS TOGETHER FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DISCUSS ORGANIZING AND EDUCATION STRATEGIES, SUCCESSES, AND CHALLENGES.
  3. THE CENTER FOR CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT IN HEALTH INNOVATION WORKS DIRECTLY WITH ADVOCATES TO INCREASE THE SKILLS AND POWER THEY MUST ESTABLISH A PERMANENT AND EFFECTIVE VOICE FOR CONSUMERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH COMPLEX HEALTH AND SOCIAL NEEDS. COLLABORATING WITH HEALTH PLANS, HOSPITALS AND PROVIDERS, THE CENTER SEEKS TO INCORPORATE THE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE INTO THE DESIGN OF SYSTEMS OF CARE. THE CENTER WORKS WITH STATE AND FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS TO MAKE SYSTEMS MORE RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITIES BY ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES THAT REDUCE INEQUITIES AND IMPROVE HEALTH. THE CENTER IS ALSO DEEPENING ITS CURRENT WORK IN SUPPORT OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS, ADVOCATING ON POLICIES AND SUPPORTS TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
  4. THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND ECONOMIC STABILITY PROJECT WORKS WITH STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY-DRIVEN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PRACTICES AND BILLING AND COLLECTION POLICIES. CCI IS ALSO INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO HELP HOSPITALS BETTER SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND PROMOTE ECONOMIC JUSTICE. THIS INCLUDES EFFORTS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMMING, HOSPITAL POLICIES ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND TO END PREDATORY BILLING AND COLLECTION PRACTICES. CCI ALSO PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MEDICAL DEBT TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, WHICH HELPS TO SHAPE POLICIES AIMED AT REDUCING AND ELIMINATING MEDICAL DEBT.THE HOSPITAL EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT IS AN EFFORT DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF HOSPITAL AND HEALTH INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION ON SYSTEMICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES INCLUDING ASIAN, BLACK, INDIGENOUS, LATINX, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES, IMMIGRANTS, WOMEN, LGBTQ+ PEOPLE, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, OLDER ADULTS, AND RURAL RESIDENTS.THE RESTUCCIA HEALTH JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE GROWTH AND REACH OF DIVERSE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR LEADERSHIP TEAMS SITUATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF HEALTH EQUITY, RACIAL JUSTICE, AND ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION. THE FELLOWSHIP'S PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO EQUIP DIVERSE TEAMS WITHIN LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL HEALTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND TEAMWORK THEY NEED TO TRANSFORM THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. FROM THIS, THESE ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE GREATER STRIDES TOWARDS HEALTH EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE.THE GENDER EQUITY AND HEALTH JUSTICE PROGRAM WORKS TO DEFEND COVERAGE GAINS, AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES. THE PROJECT HAS A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON LIFTING UP THE VOICES OF WOMEN WHO ARE RARELY REPRESENTED IN HEALTH POLICY DISCUSSIONS, SUCH AS YOUNG WOMEN, WOMEN OF COLOR, IMMIGRANT WOMEN, OLDER WOMEN, LOW-INCOME WOMEN, TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, AND LGBTQ+ WOMEN.TOGETHER FOR MEDICAID IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNITY CATALYST, THE CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES AND THE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CREATES ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND A DYNAMIC COHORT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION ADVOCATES TO BUILD DEMAND FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION. THE PROJECT CENTERS PEOPLE MOST AFFECTED BY THE LACK OF MEDICAID COVERAGE IN THESE EFFORTS.THE DENTAL ACCESS PROJECT PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY ADVOCATES TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORTING STATE AND TRIBAL PARTNERS IN CREATING POLICY CHANGE THAT HELPS PEOPLE GET QUALITY, AFFORDABLE DENTAL CARE WHERE AND WHEN THEY NEED IT, IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS, AS WELL AS OTHER GROUPS WHO HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY OR INTENTIONALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE CURRENT ORAL HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM.VACCINE EQUITY AND ACCESS PROGRAM (VEAP) WAS DEVELOPED WITH FUNDING FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) TO ADDRESS VACCINE CONFIDENCE AND INCREASE INFLUENZA AND COVID-19 VACCINATION COVERAGE FOR ADULTS IN RACIAL AND/OR ETHNIC POPULATIONS EXPERIENCING DISPIRITING IN THE UNITED STATES. THE GOAL OF THE VACCINE EQUITY AND ACCESS PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE VACCINATION COVERAGE FOR ADULTS IN RACIAL AND/OR ETHNIC POPULATIONS EXPERIENCING DISPARITIES IN THE U.S. THE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS PROGRAM WORKS TO BUILDS BROAD BASED ADVOCACY FOR NEW AND PROVEN STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS ADDICTION AND OTHER MISUSE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. CCI HELPS PEOPLE LEAD HEALTHIER LIVES BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF AND ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS. THESE SERVICES RANGE FROM PREVENTION AND TREATMENT TO HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION.THE STATE CONSUMER HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES PROJECTS AIMED AT SUPPORTING AND EXPANDING THE CAPACITY OF CONSUMER ADVOCATES TO PARTICIPATE IN AND INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY ON A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES SUCH AS HEALTH CARE ACCESS, AFFORDABILITY, AND EQUITY; ENROLLMENT IN HEALTH INSURANCE; PRIVATE INSURANCE REFORM; AND MEDICAID EXPANSION. IT ALSO ENCOMPASSES SOUTHERN HEALTH PARTNERS, WHICH WORKS WITH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS IN 12 STATES TO APPLY A REGIONAL APPROACH TO STATE HEALTH POLICY ISSUES IN THE REGION. THE CONSUMER SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTH EQUITY PROGRAM SEEKS TO MAKE LOCAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY BY ELEVATING THE VOICES, STORIES, AND PRIORITIES OF PEOPLE WHO DESERVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, CSHE PROVIDES GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS WITH RESOURCES NEEDED TO INCREASE THEIR ABILITY TO ORGANIZE MEMBERS, BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER CONSTITUENCIES, AND DEVELOP EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONALL OF WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO SHARED DECISION-MAKING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 November 1997.

    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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