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Circle of Concern

EIN 23-7085010 · Valley Park, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CIRCLE OF CONCERN FEEDS THE HUNGRY AND PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES LIVING IN WEST ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
24 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
7
Volunteers
220
Highest pay
$110,886, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. CLIENT CHOICE FOOD PANTRY:CIRCLE FED ON AVERAGE 737 LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS EACH MONTH, SERVING 1,326 UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS (3881 INDIVIDUALS) IN 2024. WE SHARED A VARIETY OF FRESH PRODUCE, DAIRY, EGGS, PROTEIN OPTIONS, NONPERISHABLES AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE STRUGGLING FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO WHOLESOME FOODS. CLIENTS REPORT THE FOODS SHARED LAST UP TO TWO WEEKS.
  2. $282,267 spent. CLIENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:THIS PROGRAM PRIMARILY SUPPORTS OUR CLIENTS WITH RENT, MORTGAGE, OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE, BUT ALSO ASSISTS WITH GAS CARDS, BOX FANS, SMALL AC UNITS, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SUPPORT. THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE OUR CLIENTS REMAIN SAFELY HOUSED, AVOIDING AN EVICTION OR UTILITY SHUT-OFF, BOTH OF WHICH CAN IMPACT THEIR CREDIT, AMPLIFYING ALREADY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THOSE WE SERVE. 481 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN 2024.
  3. $170,738 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:CIRCLE OFFERS A DUAL-FOCUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SERVING LOW-INCOME STUDENTS AND ALSO ADULT CLIENTS IN GOOD STANDING. ELIGIBLE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS MAY PARTICIPATE IN A COMPETITIVE PROCESS FOR RENEWABLE SCHOLARSHIPS RANGING $500 - $5,000. ADULT CLIENTS IN GOOD STANDING MAY APPLY FOR UP TO $1,000 EACH SEMESTER TOWARD A DEGREE OR CAREER PROGRAM (LICENSE CERTIFICATION / RENEWAL, ETC.). THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO HELP LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS BOLSTER THEIR EARNING POTENTIAL SO THEY MAY MOVE FROM STRUGGLE AND POVERTY TO STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. 27 STUDENTS AND 13 ADULTS (40 INDIVIDUALS IN ALL) BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM.
  4. $311,420 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS, WHICH PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP, BIRTHDAY GIFTS, AND GIFT CARDS TO PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND "SUMMER SNACKS." AT THE HOLIDAYS, WE OFFER SEASONAL FOODS AND GIFT CARDS TO PURCHASE A TURKEY AND HOLIDAY GIFTS. THE PURPOSE OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, GIFTS AND THE SUPPLIES THEY MAY MISS OUT ON DUE TO THEIR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES. SECONDLY, WE WANT TO SHARE THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH EACH OF THE FAMILIES WE SERVE.DURING THE 2024 TAX YEAR: - 458 CHILDREN RECEIVED HAND-SELECTED GIFTS, BOOKS, AND TOYS THROUGH THE BIRTHDAY CLUB. - 576 HOUSEHOLDS WERE SUPPORTED WITH THANKSGIVING BOXES. - 538 STUDENTS WERE HELPED THROUGH THE BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM. - 109 CHILDREN RECEIVED ASSISTANCE TO ATTEND SUMMER PROGRAM/CAMP. - 2,001 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE HOLIDAY PROGRAM. - 817 PARENTS RECEIVED GIFT CARDS TO SUPPLEMENT SUMMER FOOD PURCHASES THROUGH THE KID BAG PROGRAM.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 January 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.