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Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Inc

EIN 16-0918009 · Utica, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC. (MVCAA) HAS BEEN MOVING FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY SINCE 1966. MVCAA EMPOWERS PEOPLE TOWARD POSITIVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY TAKING A PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH TO EMERGING TRENDS AND RESPONDING WITH QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE SERVICES. MCVAA IS A RECOGNIZED LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY FOR "HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES," MVCAA EMPLOYS OVER 300 PEOPLE AND SERVES 10,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY, MVCAA IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK STATE COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION, COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP AND NATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTION FOUNDATION.

Income
$17.1 million
Spending
$17.3 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
285
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$147,772, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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

    17 of 17 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 July 31, 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. $10.4 million spent. CHILD DEVELOPMENT - PROVIDED FAMILIES IN ONEIDA, HERKIMER, AND MADISON COUNTIES WITH HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SERVICES. HEAD START PROMOTES HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT IN LOW-INCOME 3-5 YEAR OLDS, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, BY OFFERING A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES TO INFLUENCE ALL ASPECTS OF A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING. HEAD START PROVIDED PRE-SCHOOL TO CHILDREN AT 19 DIFFERENT SITES, WHILE ENGAGING THEIR FAMILIES IN THE EDUCATION AND NURTURING OF EACH CHILD. EARLY HEAD START PROMOTED HEALTHY PRENATAL OUTCOMES AND HEALTHY FAMILY FUNCTIONING, AND STRENGTHENED THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS. APPROXIMATELY 892 CHILDREN WERE ENROLLED IN THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS DURING THE YEAR.
  2. $3.7 million spent. HOUSING - PROVIDED ENERGY CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND SERVICES THAT REDUCED THE ENERGY BURDEN AND CORRECTED HEALTH AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, IMPROVED THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS, AND PRESERVED OR INCREASED THE VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY'S HOUSING STOCK. PROVIDED SERVICES TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES OF THOSE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS: PROVIDED RENTAL SUBSIDIES THAT EASED THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON LOW-INCOME RENTERS AND PRESERVED OR IMPROVED THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY LIVE. PROVIDED LOW INCOME FAMILIES WITH NON-EMERGENCY AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION SERVICES. PROVIDED ENERGY CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS TO ONEIDA AND HERKIMER COUNTY RESIDENTS. ASSISTED HEAP ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES WITH HIGH-EFFICIENCY FUEL CONVERSIONS THAT REDUCE THE COST OF HEAT AND HOT WATER BY UP TO 50% HELPING FAMILIES/ INDIVIDUALS BECOME MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT.
  3. $1.5 million spent. FAMILY RESOURCES - BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES THAT ALL FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE STRENGTHS AND THAT EVERYONE NEEDS AND DESERVES SUPPORT, MVCAA HELPS FAMILIES THROUGHOUT ONEIDA, HERKIMER AND MADISON COUNTIES THROUGH A MYRIAD OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND ADVISORY GROUPS. MVCAA EMPOWERS PEOPLE TOWARD POSITIVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY TAKING A PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH TO EMERGING TRENDS AND RESPONDING WITH QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE SERVICES SUCH AS: STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, YOUTH SERVICES, HOMELESS INTERVENTION PROGRAM, AND CASE MANAGEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 July 1968.

    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.