Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County Inc

EIN 23-7410586 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTING AND IMPROVING THE GENERAL HEALTH AND WELFARE OF SENIOR ADULTS IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY BY ADMINISTERING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
24
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$9,450, current inte

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $558,030 spent. RESOURCE COORDINATION MEDICARE/BENEFITS ENROLLMENT CENTER HURRICANE HELENE IMPACTED WNC IN THE MIDDLE OF OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MEDICARE. DESPITE THE TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ADVISED 2,892 PERSONS ABOUT THEIR MEDICARE PLANS IN BUNCOMBE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES THROUGH THE SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM (SHIIP). IN 2024- 25, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ALSO PRESENTED AT OR ATTENDED 36 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS IN ORDER TO BETTER ENGAGE GROUPS SUCH AS LOW INCOME, RURAL, DISABLED, FORMERLY INCARCERATED, AND BLACK AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES. AFFORDABLE CARE ACT COABC CONTINUED ITS SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT NAVIGATION PROGRAM. THE COABC TEAM INCLUDED TWO FULL-TIME BILINGUAL NAVIGATORS SERVING FOUR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES (BUNCOMBE, HENDERSON, POLK, AND TRANSYLVANIA). THE PROGRAM CONTINUED TO GROW, ADVISING 2,936 PERSONS ON THEIR ACA PLAN AND ENROLLMENT. IN ADDITION TO ACA NAVIGATION, WE ASSISTED CLIENTS WITH ENROLLING IN PRIMARY CARE, SPECIALTY CARE, AND - WHEN NECESSARY - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. OUR NAVIGATORS WORKED WITH THE PREMIUM AND COPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PCAP), A PART OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HIV MEDICATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HMAP) TO HELP ENROLLEES ACROSS THE STATE FIND THE RIGHT ACA INSURANCE PLAN. RESOURCE COORDINATION MEDICARE/BENEFITS ENROLLMENT CENTER HURRICANE HELENE IMPACTED WNC IN THE MIDDLE OF OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MEDICARE. DESPITE THE TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ADVISED 2,892 PERSONS ABOUT THEIR MEDICARE PLANS IN BUNCOMBE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES THROUGH THE SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM (SHIIP). IN 2024- 25, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ALSO PRESENTED AT OR ATTENDED 36 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS IN ORDER TO BETTER ENGAGE GROUPS SUCH AS LOW INCOME, RURAL, DISABLED, FORMERLY INCARCERATED, AND BLACK AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES. AFFORDABLE CARE ACT COABC CONTINUED ITS SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT NAVIGATION PROGRAM. THE COABC TEAM INCLUDED TWO FULL-TIME BILINGUAL NAVIGATORS SERVING FOUR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES (BUNCOMBE, HENDERSON, POLK, AND TRANSYLVANIA). THE PROGRAM CONTINUED TO GROW, ADVISING 2,936 PERSONS ON THEIR ACA PLAN AND ENROLLMENT. IN ADDITION TO ACA NAVIGATION, WE ASSISTED CLIENTS WITH ENROLLING IN PRIMARY CARE, SPECIALTY CARE, AND - WHEN NECESSARY - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. OUR NAVIGATORS WORKED WITH THE PREMIUM AND COPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PCAP), A PART OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HIV MEDICATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HMAP) TO HELP ENROLLEES ACROSS THE STATE FIND THE RIGHT ACA INSURANCE PLAN.
  2. $167,932 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES - CARE MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY SERVICES STAFF ASSIST BUNCOMBE COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH UNDERSTANDING AND ACCESSING A VARIETY OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. OUR STAFF CONNECT ONLINE, OVER THE PHONE, AND IN-PERSON VIA COABC OFFICES OR OUTREACH EVENTS. WE HELPED CLIENTS ACCESS 98,648 IN CAREGIVER RESPITE FUNDS IN BUNCOMBE AND MADISON COUNTIES, ANSWERED OVER 6,671 INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE CALLS FOR 1,668 UNIQUE CLIENTS, COMPLETED 79 MINOR HOME REPAIR PROJECTS, AND PROVIDED HEAT RELIEF IN THE FORM OF BOX FANS AND AIR CONDITIONERS TO 233 CLIENTS. WE DELIVERED SHELF-STABLE FOOD TO 131 HOMEBOUND CLIENTS AND OUR VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION FOR 83 CLIENT APPOINTMENTS.
  3. $198,026 spent. SENIOR DINING & WELLNESS - - WE SERVED OVER 12,296 MEALS. WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE 585 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS. WE CONTINUED TO OFFER DINE-IN AND CURBSIDE PICK-UP THIS PAST YEAR, ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE HELENE AND THE CHALLENGES TO THE REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM.
  4. $158 spent. OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: OUR ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES TO INCREASE PRIVATE SUPPORT AS WELL AS ENHANCE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO EXPAND SERVICES, INNOVATE PROGRAMMING OUTSIDE OF TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS, AND COLLABORATE WITH GRASSROOTSORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER NONPROFITS. WE CONTINUE TO "STAND IN THE GAP" OF SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. WE CONTINUE TO BE A LIVING WAGE CERTIFIED EMPLOYER THROUGH JUSTECONOMICS AND FURTHER OUR EFFORTS FOR PROGRAM EVALUATION, IVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION/ACCESSIBILITY, A "HUB AND SPOKE" MODEL OF SERVICE, AND INTEGRATING IN CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS THAT INCLUDE CLINICAL SETTINGS.
  5. OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: OUR ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES TO INCREASE PRIVATE SUPPORT AS WELL AS ENHANCE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO EXPAND SERVICES, INNOVATE PROGRAMMING OUTSIDE OF TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS, AND COLLABORATE WITH GRASSROOTSORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER NONPROFITS. WE CONTINUE TO "STAND IN THE GAP" OF SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. WE CONTINUE TO BE A LIVING WAGE CERTIFIED EMPLOYER THROUGH JUSTECONOMICS AND FURTHER OUR EFFORTS FOR PROGRAM EVALUATION, IVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION/ACCESSIBILITY, A "HUB AND SPOKE" MODEL OF SERVICE, AND INTEGRATING IN CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS THAT INCLUDE CLINICAL SETTINGS.

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 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 June 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 September 1974.

    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.