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Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County

EIN 23-1653093 · Wilkes Barre, PA

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

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION TO PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG LOW-INCOME AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS BY CONFRONTING THE CAUSES AND REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY.

Income
$46.2 million
Spending
$45.4 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
139
Volunteers
3,891
Highest pay
$170,791, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 June 30, 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. $4.6 million spent. HOUSING AND EMERGENCY SERVICES: OFFERS HOUSING STABILITY SERVICES TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, VETERANS, AND VULNERABLE SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED WITH FIXED INCOMES. PROVIDES RESOLUTIONS TO SHORT TERM, EMERGENCY HOUSING NEEDS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER SHORT TERM FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES THAT ALLOW FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, SENIOR CITIZENS, THE DISABLED, AND VETERANS. PROGRAM FUNDING INCLUDES FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL SOURCES. HOUSING SUPPORTS INCLUDING RENTAL AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY SHELTER, FORECLOSURE PREVENTION WAS PROVIDED TO 4,257 FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, SENIOR CITIZENS, DISABLED AND VETERANS. SERVICES ENABLE FAMILIES TO ATTAIN OR MAINTAIN THEIR STABLE HOUSING.
  2. $6.4 million spent. WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE: PROMOTES RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSERVATION AND HEALTH AND SAFETY; ADDRESSES SHORT-TERM ENERGY CRISES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, SENIOR CITIZENS, THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, AND VETERANS FACED WITH BROKEN HEATING EQUIPMENT, LACK OF FUEL, OR UTILITY SERVICE TERMINATION. PROGRAM FUNDING SOURCES INCLUDE FEDERAL, STATE, AS WELL AS VARIOUS UTILITY COMPANIES AND PRIVATE DONORS. 7,605 HOUSEHOLDS QUALIFIED FOR EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE THOUGH THE LIHEAP CRISIS PROGRAM; 17,087 LOW INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, SENIOR CITIZENS, THE DISABLED AND VETERANS ENROLLED IN UTILITY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; 725 FAMILIES RECEIVED WEATHERIZATION SERVICES.
  3. $26.0 million spent. FOOD BANK/NUTRITION SERVICES: DISTRIBUTES DONATED AND PURCHASED FOOD PRODUCT TO A NETWORK OF 370 FOOD DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS. PROMOTES HEALTHY NUTRITION AMONG LOW INCOME AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN OUR 4 COUNTY REGIONS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AND SENIOR CITIZENS. PROGRAM FUNDING INCLUDES FEDERAL, STATE AND PRIVATE DONORS; INCLUDING FOOD COMPANIES, BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS. THE FOOD BANK RECEIVED 6,779,610 LBS. OF DONATED FOOD PRODUCT VALUED AT $11,551,062; SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD BOXES PROVIDED TO APPROX. 1,777 SENIORS MONTHLY; AGENCY FOOD PANTRIES PROVIDED 29,796 UNITS OF SERVICE TO 1,983 UNIQUE FAMILIES; THANKSGIVING DISTRIBUTION PROVIDED TO 6,889 FAMILIES; NUTRITION EDUCATION SESSIONS REACHED 7,406 SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, 2,449 ADULTS AND ELDERLY.
  4. $7.0 million spent. DONATIONS AND GRANTS AND HOUSING

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 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.