Berks Community Action Program Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO COMBAT POVERTY IN THE CITY OF READING AND BERKS COUNTY AND TO HELP LOW AND MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS BECOME MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT.
- Income
- $8.7 million
- Spending
- $8.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 91%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $171,482, 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
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 45% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% 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 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $4.1 million spent. PRE-K PROGRAM: THE PRE-K PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE AT RISK OF SCHOOL FAILURE BECAUSE OF INCOME 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, LANGUAGE, OR SPECIAL NEEDS. PRE-K CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES HELP CHILDREN GROW ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY. THE CHILD'S PROGRESS IS REGULARLY REVIEWED, AND THE ACTIVITIES ARE CHOSEN THAT ARE THE BEST FOR EACH CHILD. IN ADDITION, PRE-K HELPS THE PARENT AND CHILD TO ADJUST TO PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND MOVE SMOOTHLY ON TO KINDERGARTEN. DURING THE 2024 PROGRAM YEAR, BCAP PROVIDED SERVICES TO 453 CHILDREN 3-5 YEARS OF AGE IN BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA FREE OF CHARGE TO FAMILIES WHO ARE UP TO 300% OF INCOME GUIDELINES.
- $2.0 million spent. WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM: THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM PROVIDES ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES TO HOMEOWNERS AND TENANTS BY PROVIDING INSULATION, WEATHER-STRIPPING, CAULKING, FURNACE TUNE-UP AND REPAIR AND COUNSELING IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND COST WHILE SAVING LOW AND MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS MONEY. DURING THE 2024 PROGRAM YEAR BCAP PROVIDED SERVICES TO 360 INDIVIDUALS AND HOMES.
- $1.0 million spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS:FAMILY CENTER PROGRAM: THE FAMILY CENTER PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BUILDING PARENTING SKILLS THROUGH INTERACTIVE TRAINING SESSIONS INCORPORATED INTO HOME VISITS. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE IS EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT USING PARENTS AS TEACHERS CURRICULUM. IT ALSO IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT MAY IMPACT A CHILD'S LEARNING ABILITY AND IMPEDE SCHOOL READINESS. IT ALSO ACTS AS A PARENT/CHILD RESOURCE CENTER. DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR 2024, 63 PARENTS RECEIVED SERVICES AND OF THESE 58 CHILDREN RECEIVED SERVICES.SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O. TEENS PROGRAM (TAKE EACH & EVERY NECESSARY STEP): THE TEENS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP TEENS THAT MAY COME FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THAT ARE HOMELESS, LIVING IN AN UNHEALTHY SITUATION, DROPOUTS, LEARNING DISABILITY, MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE ETC. THE TARGET AGES FOR THE PROGRAM ARE 12-25. THE PROGRAM ASSISTS IN ENHANCING PROGRAMS WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, NON-PROFITS ALREADY INVOLVED WITH YOUTH AND CREATING OUR PROGRAMS IN LACKING AREAS. THE TEEN PROGRAM FOCUSES ON GIVING KIDS AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO ENSURE THEY STAY ON A MORE POSITIVE PATH. THERE WERE 1,143 TEENS ENROLLED IN VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THROUGH 3 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.FAST PROGRAM (FAMILY ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT FOR TEENS): THIS PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY BCAP THROUGH PCCD (PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY). THIS PROGRAM OFFERS ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE FAMILIES IN HIGH NEEDS, FAMILY MENTORING SESSIONS & LIFE SKILL SESSIONS FOR THE YOUTH THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN TEENS. BCAP'S INITIATIVE TO REDUCE AT-RISK YOUTH WITH GANG AND GUN VIOLENCE WITHIN THE CITY OF READING. FAST SERVICES INCLUDE JOB READINESS SKILLS, ABE, ESI, AND GED THROUGH CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION.
- $651,957 spent. BUDGET COUNSELING CENTER PROGRAMS - THE BCAP'S BUDGET COUNSELING CENTER ADMINISTERED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:-CERTIFIED HUD COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO PURCHASE A HOME TO ENSURE THE PROCESS WAS FAIR AND AFFORDABLE AND TO PREVENT PREDATORY LENDING TRAPS; 0 CLIENTS RECEIVED SERVICES.-DELINQUENCY AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING ON FORECLOSURE ISSUES. THERE WERE 998 CLIENTS ENROLLED OF WHICH 371 AVOIDED EVICTIONS AND 85 CLIENTS AVOIDED FORECLOSURE.-INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY BUDGETING AND CREDIT REPAIR; 0 CLIENTS RECEIVED SERVICES.
- $252,111 spent. WORK READY PROGRAM: THE WORK READY PROGRAM PROVIDES JOB READINESS INSTRUCTION, JOB SEARCH/JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES AS WELL AS ON SITE JOB COACHING TO CLIENTS TO MOVE THEM OFF THE ROLLS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. REFERRALS ARE MADE DIRECTLY FROM THE COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE AND PROVIDES FOR FOLLOW-UP AND OUTREACH. DURING THE 2024 PROGRAM YEAR BCAP PROVIDED SERVICES TO 88 INDIVIDUALS OF WHICH 47 ACHIEVED EMPLOYMENT.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1977.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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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