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Ocean Community Economic Action Now Inc

EIN 22-1804345 · Toms River, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL HEAD START PROGRAM, WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

Income
$14.1 million
Spending
$15.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
161
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$178,881, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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, 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 (4)
  1. $5.4 million spent. HEAD START INCLUDES THE HEAD START CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5 YEARS OLD FROM DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES. ELIGIBILITY IS BASED ON INCOME GUIDELINES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS THE HEAD START CENTERS PROGRAM, WHICH IS A IS A COMPREHENSIVE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME 3-5 YEAR OLDS THAT PROVIDES SERVICES IN FIVE MAJOR AREAS: EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, PARENT INVOLVEMENT, AND SPECIAL NEEDS. HEAD START PROGRAMS NOT ONLY ENHANCE THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, THEY PROMOTE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND DEVELOP COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. O.C.E.A.N., INC. CURRENTLY OPERATES HEAD START PROGRAMS AT FIVE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT OCEAN COUNTY IN BRICK, BERKELEY, BARNEGAT, TOMS RIVER, AND MANCHESTER.
  2. $3.3 million spent. WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE LIHEAP AND USF (LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND) - DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COST-BURDENED, LOW-INCOME OCEAN COUNTY RESIDENTS, UNABLE TO AFFORD THE ADDED EXPENSE OF REPAIRING OR REPLACING ITEMS IN THEIR HOME THAT IF REPAIRED OR REPLACED, COULD HELP THEM REDUCE OR ELIMINATE HIGH ENERGY BILLS. ELIGIBILITY IS BASED ON INCOME GUIDELINES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE, ENERGY AUDITS, BROKEN GLASS REPAIR, WEATHER-STRIPPING AND/OR CAULKING OF DOORS/WINDOWS, INSULATING ATTICS AND CRAWLSPACES, REPLACEMENT OF DOORS AND WINDOWS, SKIRTING MOBILE HOMES, HOT WATER HEATER JACKETS, FURNACE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, HOT WATER HEATER REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT.
  3. $1.6 million spent. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT CONSISTS OF MANY PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY OCEAN, INC. AND ITS SUBRECIPIENTS AND INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING AND TREATMENT, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FOOD, AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, STEM TRAINING IN THE WOODBINE SCHOOL DISTRICT, PROVIDE TECHNOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENTS TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS, PROVIDING SUMMER DAY CAMPS, PROVIDING ON THE JOB TRAINING, PROVIDING INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, AND PROVIDING A SENIOR ISOLATION TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.
  4. $3.0 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, AND MORE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 February 1967.

    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.