Area Five Agency on Aging & Community Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AREA FIVE AGENCY ON AGING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES' MISSION IS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS & SERVICES THAT WILL BENEFIT LOW INCOME, DISADVANTAGED & OLDER PERSONS. WE SERVE OUR MISSION IN CASS, FULTON, HOWARD, MIAMI, TIPTON, AND WABASH COUNTIES IN INDIANA.
- Income
- $12.1 million
- Spending
- $11.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 90%
- Employees
- 193
- Volunteers
- 862
- Highest pay
- $167,934, 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 38% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% 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 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 (4)
- $3.7 million spent. DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, THE PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY ASSISTED OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN MAKING INFORMED CHOICES ABOUT AVAILABLE CARE OPTIONS, THEREBY PREVENTING INAPPROPRIATE OR PREMATURE INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENTS.THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF SENIORS IN THE COMMUNITY. CONGREGATE MEAL SITES PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT, AND PARTICIPATION IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES AT SEVEN LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE SIX-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES, NUTRITIOUS HOME-DELIVERED MEALS WERE PROVIDED TO ENSURE CONTINUED ACCESS TO ADEQUATE NUTRITION AND REGULAR WELL-BEING CHECKS.IN ADDITION TO NUTRITION SERVICES, AREA FIVE CONTINUED TO OFFER OR COORDINATE A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION FOR MEDICAL AND PERSONAL NEEDS, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL ASSISTANCE TO CONNECT CLIENTS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES, CAREGIVER SUPPORT AND RESPITE SERVICES TO ALLEVIATE CAREGIVER BURDEN, AND GUIDANCE FOR GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN THROUGH TARGETED EDUCATION AND SUPPORT.COLLECTIVELY, THESE EFFORTS ENABLED AREA FIVE TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY, STABILITY, AND INDEPENDENCE OF VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS ACROSS ITS SERVICE AREA, FULFILLING ITS MISSION TO PROMOTE AGING WITH DIGNITY AND CHOICE.
- $2.3 million spent. AREA FIVE'S HEAD START PROGRAM SERVES 160 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS CASS, FULTON, AND WABASH COUNTIES. CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES (130% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL OR BELOW) RECEIVE NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES, AND SNACKS EACH DAY, ALONG WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES LITERACY, NUMERACY, MATH, AND SCIENCE, HELPING CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH CONTEXT-RICH, ENGAGING EXPERIENCES IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF ACCEPTANCE, LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, AND STRUCTURE.THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, IN COLLABORATION WITH TEACHERS AND ASSISTANT TEACHERS, SUPPORTS FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BY HELPING PARENTS SET AND ACHIEVE PERSONAL AND FAMILY GOALS. PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CHILD'S LEARNING, VOLUNTEERING IN CLASSROOMS, SERVING ON THE PARENT COMMITTEE, OR CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLICY COUNCIL. EACH DAY, THE PROGRAM SEES PARENTS AND CHILDREN GROWING TOGETHER THROUGH ENGAGEMENT, EMPOWERMENT, AND SHARED LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
- $1.7 million spent. AS A DUAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING AND COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, AREA FIVE HAS THE UNIQUE CAPACITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FROM BIRTH THROUGH THE AGING YEARS. OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM FOCUSES ON HELPING FAMILIES MOVE TOWARD GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, TECHNIQUES, AND ACTIVITIES TAILORED TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. WE GUIDE FAMILIES IN ACCESSING APPROPRIATE SERVICES WHILE HELPING THEM MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR AVAILABLE RESOURCES. THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS (IDAS), WE ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO INVEST IN THEIR FUTURE BY SAVING FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP, EDUCATION, OR SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. THESE OPPORTUNITIES HELP BUILD LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE. AREA FIVE'S PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, PARENT SUPPORT AND EDUCATION GROUPS, AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, HOUSING SUPPORTS, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN AND COMPLEMENT THESE EFFORTS. OUR SUCCESS IS DRIVEN BY THE DEDICATION OF HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTE THOUSANDS OF HOURS EACH YEAR TO HELP FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. AREA FIVE'S MULTIFACETED MISSION MOTIVATES OUR STAFF TO EITHER PROVIDE DIRECT ASSISTANCE OR CONNECT PARTICIPANTS WITH THE MOST APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES. WE LEVERAGE A DIVERSE ARRAY OF TOOLS AND PARTNERSHIPS BOTH WITHIN OUR AGENCY AND THROUGHOUT OUR SERVICE AREA TO CREATE LINKAGES THAT SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS. WE CHALLENGE OUR STAFF, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY BUSINESSES AND MEMBERS TO JOIN US IN BUILDING UPON THIS STRONG FOUNDATION OF SERVICE, COMPASSION, AND COLLABORATION.
- $3.1 million spent. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMAREA FIVE AGENCY ON AGING & COMMUNITY SERVICES HAS LED ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT OUR SERVICE REGION BY CREATING HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROJECTS TAILORED TO LOCAL NEEDS. OUR PROJECTS ARE BUILT ON INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, AND COMPASSION, ENSURING THAT EVERY INITIATIVE STRENGTHENS THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.AREA FIVE HAS DEVELOPED MORE THAN 300 UNITS OF RENTAL HOUSING AND MORE THAN 30 HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. THESE PROJECTS RANGE FROM SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES TO LARGE APARTMENT COMPLEXES AND ARE DESIGNED TO SERVE SPECIAL POPULATIONS, INCLUDING SENIOR CITIZENS, INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.WE ALSO IMPLEMENT THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (HCV) FOR CASS, HOWARD, GRANT, MIAMI, AND WABASH COUNTIES ASSISTING CLIENTS WITH LOCATING HOUSING THAT PARTICIPATES IN THE HCV PROGRAM AND PROVIDING THE BENEFIT TO THE LANDLORDS. BEYOND HOUSING, THE AGENCY HAS INVESTED IN COMMUNITY SPACES THAT ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE, INCLUDING SENIOR CENTERS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS SUCH AS LIBRARIES, AND DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS. EACH PROJECT IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT BRINGS TOGETHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, FUNDING AGENCIES, AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. MANY OF THESE INITIATIVES HAVE SERVED AS STATEWIDE AND REGIONAL MODELS FOR INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.REVENUES GENERATED FROM THESE PROJECTS ARE REINVESTED INTO AREA FIVE'S PROGRAMS, ALLOWING THE AGENCY TO EXPAND ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND REACH MORE RESIDENTS ACROSS ALL AREAS OF ITS MISSION.ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SUPPORTS INCOME-ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS, PARTICULARLY SENIORS, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THOSE FACING UTILITY DISCONNECTION DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. SERVING CASS, HOWARD, MIAMI, TIPTON, AND WABASH COUNTIES, THE PROGRAM ENSURES FAMILIES STAY SAFE AND WARM BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH ENERGY COSTS. THE EAP PROGRAM INCLUDES AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT THAT HELPS CLIENTS REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION THROUGH SIMPLE, LOW-COST, OR NO-COST METHODS.
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 March 1975.
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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