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Peoples Equal Action and Community Effort Inc

EIN 16-6095039 · Syracuse, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HELPING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL FOR BECOMING SELF-SUFFICIENT.

Income
$26.6 million
Spending
$27.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 87%
Employees
419
Volunteers
1,948
Highest pay
$191,595, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, 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 January 31, 2026, 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. $14.3 million spent. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PREPARES CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN AND LIFE THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE, FAMILY-FOCUSED, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT SERVES LOW-INCOME PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OLD. IN ADDITION TO HIGH-QUALITY CLASSROOM LEARNING ACTIVITIES, ALL CHILDREN RECEIVE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT SCREENINGS, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, DENTAL CARE, AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. TRAINED STAFF SUPPORT CHILDREN'S PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO SET AND ACHIEVE THEIR FAMILY'S GOALS, SUCH AS SECURING STABLE HOUSING, OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT, ADVANCING THEIR EDUCATION, AND IMPROVING FINANCIAL SECURITY. THE PROGRAM SERVES 1,092 INDIVIDUALS.
  2. $2.9 million spent. THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND HOUSING REDUCES THE ENERGY BURDEN FOR LOW-AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN ONONDAGA AND OSWEGO COUNTIES BY PROVIDING COST-EFFECTIVE, ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENTS. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES ENERGY ASSESSMENTS AND SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY. BY LOWERING UTILITY COSTS AND IMPROVING HOUSING QUALITY, THE DEPARTMENT HELPS FAMILIES ACHIEVE GREATER FINANCIAL STABILITY, INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES, AND HEALTHIER, ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES. THIS PROGRAM ANNUALLY SERVES 556 HOMES AND CLIENTS.
  3. $5.5 million spent. CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES - STRENGTHENS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH A NETWORK OF NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED SITES INCLUDING FIVE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS, EASTWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS, AND FREE TAX PREP. THE DEPARTMENT SERVES ONONDAGA AND PORTIONS OF OSWEGO COUNTY, PROVIDING A CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, CRISIS INTERVENTION, ADVOCACY, EARLY CHILDHOOD CAREER PATHWAYS, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, REENTRY SERVICES, FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION, YOUTH ENRICHMENT AND MENTORING, PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, WHOLE-FAMILY AND INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING. THESE PROGRAMS SERVICE 7,453 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ANNUALLY.
  4. $1.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - ENCOMPASS A RANGE OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS TO REMAIN ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE INCLUDE THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM, SENIOR NUTRITION, EISEP, NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISOR, AND VARIOUS OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND WELL-BEING AMONG SENIORS. COLLECTIVELY, THESE PROGRAMS ANNUALLY SERVE 1,929 INDIVIDUALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2026, 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 January 2026.

    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 December 1971.

    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.