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Caring Hands Outreach Center Inc

EIN 20-0390118 · Altoona, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CARING HANDS OUTREACH CENTER IS A NETWORK OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT MOBILIZES EASTERN POLK COUNTY IOWA FOR COMPASSIONATE SERVICE TOWARD THEIR NEIGHBORS. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A FOOD PANTRY PROVIDING GROCERIES TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE SOUTHEAST POLK COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH RENT, LIVING, AND OTHER EXPENSES TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE SOUTHEAST POLK COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A THRIFT STORE AT ITS ALTOONA, IA LOCATION.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
-18 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
15
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$86,373, 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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 71% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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. $701,185 spent. A NETWORK OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT MOBILIZES EASTERN POLK COUNTY IOWA FOR COMPASSIONATE SERVICE TOWARD OUR NEIGHBORS.
  2. $67,905 spent. PROVIDED OVER 1 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD TO 11,694 FAMILIES IN 2024, REPRESENTING 31,403 INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOUTHEAST POLK, BONDURANT, AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. PROVIDED OVER 3,000 FOOD SACKS TO SOUTHEAST POLK AND BONDURANT STUDENTS IN NEED.
  3. $36,826 spent. PROVIDED COST OF LIVING EXPENSE ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE ALTOONA, BONDURANT, AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN POLK COUNTY IOWA.
  4. $17,044 spent. OPERATE A THRIFT STORE TO SELL ITEMS AT A LOW COST FOR COMPASSIONATE SERVICE TOWARD OUR NEIGHBORS

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 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 April 2004.

    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.