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Highland County Community Action Organization

EIN 31-0720523 · Hillsboro, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HIGHLAND COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION, INC. IS A COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION WHICH ADMINISTERS VARIOUS FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO ASSIST THE LOW-INCOME AND ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO. THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE THEIR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.

Income
$9.9 million
Spending
$10.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
148
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$113,582, exec. 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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 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 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 (7)
  1. $3.7 million spent. CHILDRENS PROGRAMS - EDUCTIONAL PROGRAMS PRIMARILY FOR THE BENEFIT OF CHILDREN FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES, INCLUDING HEAD START.
  2. $1.4 million spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - OPERATES THE OHIO MEANS JOBS PROGRAM IN HIGHLAND COUNTY. THE CENTER ASSISTS JOB SEEKERS, EMPLOYERS, AND YOUTHS WITH JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE, EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT, AND JOB TRAINING.
  3. $911,898 spent. ENERGY PROGRAMS - PROGRAMS TO ASSIST LOW INCOME RESIDENTS WITH HEATING BILLS, SUMMER COOLING AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WEATHERIZATION.
  4. $490,043 spent. HEALTH PROGRAMS - PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE LOW INCOME POPULATION, INCLUDING FAMILY PLANNING; WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM; AND THE OPERATION OF A CLINIC.
  5. $32,467 spent. WELLNESS RECOVERY PROGRAMS
  6. $2.4 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES
  7. $253,529 spent. RENTAL

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 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 December 2024.

    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 June 1976.

    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.