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Catholic Charities of Fairfield

EIN 06-0653053 · Shelton, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY'S MISSION IS TO HELP THE NEEDY AND MOST VULNERABLE OF ALL FAITHS WITH SOLUTIONS THAT PERMANENTLY IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. WE PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT ENABLE FAMILIES TO RISE UP OUT OF POVERTY, OVERCOME BARRIERS, AND ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND INDEPENDENCE.WE ENVISION A FAIRFIELD COUNTY WHERE ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE BASIC NECESSITIES FOOD, SHELTER, AND SUPPORT IN ORDER TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS HEALTHY, EDUCATED, AND SELF-SUFFICIENT INDIVIDUALS.

Income
$15.7 million
Spending
$15.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
185
Volunteers
1,200
Highest pay
$257,795, secretary

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

Fair: 54 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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 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 (5)
  1. $5.8 million spent. FOOD SERVICES INCLUDE TWO OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT'S LARGEST FOOD CAFES/SOUP KITCHENS SERVING THE HOMELESS AND WORKING POOR, A MOBILE BREAKFAST PROGRAM, FOOD PANTRIES, AND A CONGREGATE AND HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM FOR HOMEBOUND ELDERLY. DURING THE YEAR, MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION MEALS WERE SERVED THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS.
  2. $3.1 million spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMSTHE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, COUNSELING AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS OR DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE FAMILY LOAN PROGRAM HELPS WORKING PARENTS WHO CAN'T BORROW FROM TRADITIONAL LENDERS TO OBTAIN SMALL BANK LOANS TO PURCHASE A USED CAR, PAY FOR CAR REPAIRS OR CHILDCARE. THE PROGRAM IS A "HAND UP" TO PREVENT LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FAMILY LOAN PROGRAM, SEE THE SCHEDULE O, PART X, LINE 7 NARRATIVE.
  3. $2.5 million spent. FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDE SCHOOL READINESS FOR CHILDREN WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NOT RECEIVE PRE-SCHOOL PREPARATION, THROUGH THE ROOM TO GROW EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER, AS WELL AS A FULL ARRAY OF FAMILY DIRECTIONAL SERVICES INCLUDING ADOPTION AND PREGNANCY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROVIDE AFFORDABLE COUNSELING AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO IMMIGRANT FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION, OR ECONOMIC STATUS AND IS ACCREDITED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO MEET A BROAD SPECTRUM OF CHALLENGES NORMALLY FACED BY FAMILIES NEW TO THE UNITED STATES.
  4. $974,820 spent. HOUSING SERVICES HOUSING SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FORMERLY HOMELESS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DOCUMENTED DISABILITIES OR WHO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON. THESE SUPPORT SERVICES ASSIST THESE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH LIFE SKILLS AS THEY MOVE TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY. CCFC HOUSING PROGRAMS CONSIST OF A NETWORK OF BOTH TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT HOUSING ADMINISTERED VIA THE STATE 211 CAN (COORDINATED ACCESS NETWORK).
  5. $1.1 million spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDE FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING THROUGHOUT FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. CCFC PROVIDES AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES HAVE DISTRICT OFFICES IN DANBURY AND NORWALK CONNECTICUT.

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 October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 March 1946.

    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.

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.