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Greater Bergen Community Action Inc

EIN 22-1818014 · Hackensack, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES TO OBTAIN THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND MOTIVATION TO SECURE THE OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED TO MOVE TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Income
$47.2 million
Spending
$47.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
593
Volunteers
67
Highest pay
$311,033, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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

    12 of 12 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 February 28, 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. $24.9 million spent. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER-BASED SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INFANTS, TODDLERS, & PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM IS A CHILD FOCUSED AND FAMILY CENTERED PROGRAM THAT EMBRACES THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ITS RESOURCES TO HELP FAMILIES BY ADDRESSING EDUCATION, NUTRITION, HEALTH, MENTAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS. (Expenses $ 1,253,090 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) CHILD AND ADULT FOOD PROGRAM: FUNDED THROUGH THE USDA, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACKS SERVED IN A DAY CARE SETTING AND DINNERS IN A SCHOOL/SENIOR SETTING. WE PROVIDE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACKS TO THE CHILDREN IN THE HEAD START CENTERS AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR EACH MEAL SERVED TO THE CHILD. THIS IS USED TO OFFSET THE COST OF FOOD, OTHER AND KITCHEN LABOR (TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE), IN THE CENTERS.
  2. $10.1 million spent. GREATER BERGEN COMMUNITY ACTION, INC. IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT ENTITY, FORMED TO STIMULATE A BETTER FOCUSING OF ALL AVAILABLE LOCAL, STATE, PRIVATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES UPON THE GOAL OF PROVIDING THE NECESSARY SUPPORTS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES TO OBTAIN THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND MOTIVATION, AND SECURE THE OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO MOVE TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY. GREATER BERGEN COMMUNITY ACTION, INC. ADMINISTERS ANTI-POVERTY AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND OTHERS.
  3. $4.3 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ABBOTT) IS DESIGNED TO GIVE ALL NEW JERSEY'S CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS IN SOCIETY AND TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL SUCCESS. THE ABBOTT PROGRAM SERVICES CHILDREN THREE TO FIVE YEARS OLD AND PROVIDES A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION. (Expenses $ 1,253,090 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) CHILD AND ADULT FOOD PROGRAM: FUNDED THROUGH THE USDA, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACKS SERVED IN A DAY CARE SETTING AND DINNERS IN A SCHOOL/SENIOR SETTING. WE PROVIDE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACKS TO THE CHILDREN IN THE HEAD START CENTERS AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR EACH MEAL SERVED TO THE CHILD. THIS IS USED TO OFFSET THE COST OF FOOD, OTHER AND KITCHEN LABOR (TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE), IN THE CENTERS.
  4. $1.3 million spent. CHILD AND ADULT FOOD PROGRAM: FUNDED THROUGH THE USDA, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACKS SERVED IN A DAY CARE SETTING AND DINNERS IN A SCHOOL/SENIOR SETTING. WE PROVIDE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACKS TO THE CHILDREN IN THE HEAD START CENTERS AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR EACH MEAL SERVED TO THE CHILD. THIS IS USED TO OFFSET THE COST OF FOOD, OTHER AND KITCHEN LABOR (TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE), IN THE CENTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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 February 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 1967.

    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.