Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THROUGH ADVOCACY, PARTNERSHIPS, AND HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS, OUR DEDICATED TEAM IS BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY, WHILE BUILDING SELF-SUFFICIENCY ACROSS GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $39.4 million
- Spending
- $40.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 99%
- Employees
- 257
- Volunteers
- 637
- Highest pay
- $218,154, president & ceo
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 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 50% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% 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)
- CHILD CARE PROGRAMS: HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START FOR 1,877 STUDENTS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT TO PROMOTE THE EDUCATION AND WELL-BEING OF LOW INCOME PREGNANT WOMEN, INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PRESCHOOLERS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE SCHOOL READINESS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND NUTRITION SUPPORT, AS WELL AS FATHERHOOD, PARENT ENGAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT ASSIST FAMILIES IN ATTAINING SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS HAVE HELPED PARENTS TRANSITION OVER 1,877 CHILDREN TO KINDERGARTEN SUCCESS EACH YEAR, PROVIDED FAMILIES WITH MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES FOR FRESH FOOD, AND FACILITATED CHILDREN'S CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHOOL READINESS CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES DESPITE PERIOD CLOSURES. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDED FAMILIES WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEEDED TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.
- HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM: COMMUNITY SERVICES IS A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM THAT SERVED 7,131 HOUSEHOLDS WITH LINKAGE TO EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, CASE MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LOAN SERVICES AND TAX RETURN PREPARATION SERVICES. A TOTAL OF 19,393 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITTED FROM THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES.
- THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:PROVIDED UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE (INCLUDING PIPP BUDGET PAYMENT ASSISTANCE) TO 8,377 INDIVIDUALS AND 1,844 HOUSEHOLDS DURING THE YEAR 2024.
- $36.3 million spent. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT
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 November 6, 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 January 1964.
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 November 4, 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.