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Cortland County Community Action Program Inc

EIN 16-1004653 · Cortland, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CAPCO IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING AND ADVOCATING FOR COMMUNITY-WIDE ACTIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT INCREASE INDIVIDUALS' DIGNITY AND SELF-RELIANCE AND IMPROVE COMMUNITY CONDITIONS, ENGAGING ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY IN CORTLAND COUNTY'S FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY.

Income
$12.2 million
Spending
$12.1 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
377
Volunteers
308
Highest pay
$101,049, executive director

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% 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 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 (5)
  1. $3.5 million spent. EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT - PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH, NUTRITION, DENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES TO 3-4 YEAR OLD CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES EARLY HEAD START PROVIDES THE SAME SUPPORTS TO INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PREGNANT WOMEN. 256 CHILDREN SERVED.
  2. $1.1 million spent. ENERGY SERVICES PROVIDES RESOURCES AND SERVICES THAT ENSURE HOMES ARE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT, HELP REDUCE ENERGY COSTS AND MAKE THE HOME A HEALTHY AND SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. ENERGY SAVING MEASURES PROVIDED TO HOMES INCLUDE INSULATION, HEATING SYSTEMS, HOT WATER TANK SYSTEMS, AIR SEALING, INSPECTING COMBUSTION APPLIANCES, TESTING EFFICIENCY OF REFRIGERATORS, INSTALLING CO & SMOKE DETECTORS, AND A HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECK OF THE HOME.
  3. $3.4 million spent. CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CDPAP) ALLOWS PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE, AND TAKE AN ACTIVE, RESPONSIBLE ROLE IN PLANNING THEIR PERSONAL CARE NEEDS. THESE SERVICES CAN INCLUDE BASIC HOUSEKEEPING, PERSONAL CARE, OR HIGH LEVEL NURSING SERVICES. CDPAP ALSO PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL CARE AIDES. 152 INDIVIDUALS SERVED.
  4. $2.3 million spent. WIC - WOMEN INFANTS & CHILDREN IS A SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN AND PREGNANT OR BREAST FEEDING WOMEN. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS FOODS, NUTRITION EDUCATION, AND BREAST FEEDING COUNSELING TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OLD WIC IS EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING HEALTH OF PREGNANT WOMEN, NEW MOTHERS AND THEIR INFANTS.
  5. $817,406 spent. FAMILY DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPS AND PROVIDES RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS TO ENCOURAGE STRONG AND HEALTHY FAMILIES. THIS PROGRAM HELPS PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR STRENGTHS, IDENTIFY NEEDED RESOURCES AND THE MEANS TO ACCESS THEM WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ASSET DEVELOPMENT TO INCLUDE BUDGETING, FISCAL LITERACY, NUTRITION, PARENT SUPPORT AND EDUCATION, LIFE SKILLS AND MEETING BASIC NEEDS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FISCAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS, PARENTS WITH HOPE GROUPS, 2 FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS, FAMILY ESSENTIALS THAT PROVIDES CLOTHES, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND OTHER NECESSITIES AT NO COST, COOKING CLASSES, SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, FREE INCOME TAX FILINGS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

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 June 1974.

    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.