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Community Access Unlimited Inc

EIN 22-2318586 · Elizabeth, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1979, COMMUNITY ACCESS UNLIMITED IS A UNION COUNTY-BASED NONPROFIT THAT SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND AT-RISK YOUTH ACROSS NEW JERSEY. WE GIVE A VOICE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HISTORICALLY HOLD LITTLE POWER IN SOCIETY, ASSISTING OUR MEMBERS WITH HOUSING, LIFE SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT, PERSONAL FINANCE, RELATIONSHIPS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND MUCH MORE. WITH MORE THAN 3,000 MEMBERS AND GROWING, WE WILL NEVER STOP STRIVING TO CREATE AN ALL-INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIBLE WORLD WHERE EVERYONE CAN LEAD A FULFILLING LIFE AS PART OF THE GREATER COMMUNITY.

Income
$88.9 million
Spending
$92.1 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
1,107
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$609,918, 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

    7 of 7 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. $58.5 million spent. DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES- RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS IN NJ: WE ARE PROUD TO BE A DDD APPROVED PROVIDER IN NEW JERSEY. CAU PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. CAU OWNS LICENSED DDD RESIDENTIAL HOMES IN MORE THAN A DOZEN TOWNS IN UNION COUNTY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, YOUTH AT RISK, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH LOW-INCOME HOUSING NEEDS. WE OFFER JUST ABOUT EVERY KIND OF LIVING ACCOMMODATION ON THE MARKET - TOWNHOUSES, CONDOMINIUMS, SINGLE- AND MULTI-FAMILY HOMES, AND APARTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE SO OUR MEMBERS CAN DECIDE HOW, AND WITH WHOM, THEY LIVE. OUR OPTIONS INCLUDE BARRIER-FREE, FULLY ACCESSIBLE HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES, INCLUDING PROPERTIES WITH ROLL-IN SHOWERS, WIDENED HALLWAYS, AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE FEATURES.
  2. $11.6 million spent. DIVISION OF DISABILITY SERVICES- FISCAL INTERMEDIARY- PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROGRAM, (PASP); CAU SERVES AS A FISCAL INTERMEDIARY FOR ALMOST 450 CLIENTS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ROUTINE, NON-MEDICAL PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE TO ADULTS WITH PERMANENT PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, WHO ARE EMPLOYED, PREPARING FOR EMPLOYMENT, ATTENDING SCHOOL OR INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER WORK AND WHO ARE ABLE TO SELF- DIRECT AND SUPERVISE THEIR OWN SERVICES. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITY SO THAT THEY MAY REMAIN ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THE PASP OFFERS PARTICIPANTS CHOICE, FLEXIBILITY, CONTROL, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE THEIR OWN PERSONAL CARE SERVICES.
  3. $4.0 million spent. SUPPORTS PROGRAM AND SUPPORT COORDINATION- THE SUPPORTS PROGRAM, A MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY THE DIVISION IN 2015, FUNDS SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR NEW JERSEY ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO LIVE IN A NON-LICENSED SETTING, TO ASSIST THEM TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE AND BE FULLY INTEGRATED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SUPPORT COORDINATION - CAU IS AN NJ DDD-APPROVED PROVIDER OF SUPPORT COORDINATION SERVICES THAT HELPS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN 20 NEW JERSEY COUNTIES DEVELOP SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. OUR HIGHLY EXPERIENCED SUPPORT COORDINATORS TAKE A PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH IN CREATING INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT PLANS (ISPS) THAT CONSIDER THE INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS, SKILLS, AND PASSIONS TO MATCH THEM WITH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WILL HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR LIFE GOALS.
  4. $7.5 million spent. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND YOUTH SHELTER. OUR SERVICES ARE DEVELOPED AND DELIVERED TO ASSIST PEOPLE TO LIVE THEIR MOST INDEPENDENT AND BEST LIVES.
  5. (Expenses $ 7,535,486 including grants of $ 348,003)(Revenue $ 2,187,586) OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND YOUTH SHELTER. OUR SERVICES ARE DEVELOPED AND DELIVERED TO ASSIST PEOPLE TO LIVE THEIR MOST INDEPENDENT AND BEST LIVES.

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 October 1981.

    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.

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