Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
A MULTI-SERVICE AGENCY SERVING ASHTABULA COUNTY, DEVOTED TO HELPING MEET BASIC HUMAN NEEDS. ITS CONCENTRATION IS ON POVERTY REDUCTION, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, PROCLAIMING LIFE AND BUILDING COMMUNITY. MOST OF THOSE SERVED WERE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 40%
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 85
- Highest pay
- $98,935, 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
Weak: 49 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 54% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% 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.
Independent board
25 of 257 of 9 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 (3)
- $1.0 million spent. THE BASIC NEEDS/HOUSING PROGRAM ASSISTS THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL CRISIS AND DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS THROUGH OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORTS AND/OR ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES TO RESOLVE THEIR IMMEDIATE NEED. ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED TO HELP WITH EVICTION, HOMELESSNESS AND/OR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION, UTILITY DISCONNECTION, SECURITY DEPOSIT, FOOD, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, DIAPERS, FORMULA AND MEDICATION. ADDITIONALLY, AS A HUD CERTIFIED COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY, THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS ALL WHO MAY HAVE A HOUSING ISSUE, ASSISTING WITH PRE AND POST PURCHASE COUNSELING, FORECLOSURE COUNSELING, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE, PREDATORY LENDING EDUCATION, BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY FOR ANY HOUSING CONCERN. THE FIRST STEP PROGRAM PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SERVICES FOR WOMEN FACING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES AS WELL AS FAMILIES DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF RAISING HEALTHY FAMILIES IN THE ASHTABULA COUNTY AREA. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY POSITION OF THE CHURCH THROUGH SERVICE AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF WOMEN AND FAMILIES FACING DIFFICULT LIFE SITUATIONS.
- $602,245 spent. PROTECTIVE SERVICES CONSISTS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE PAYEESHIP PROGRAM AND GUARDIANSHIP. THE REPRESENTATIVE PAYEESHIP PROGRAM IS A STABILIZATION PROGRAM THAT MANAGES BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF MANAGING THEIR OWN FINANCES. TYPICALLY, THESE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (A FEDERAL INCOME SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM TO ASSIST AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED PEOPLE WHO HAVE LITTLE OR NO INCOME). THE FIRST CHOICE FOR A PAYEE WOULD BE A FAMILY MEMBER OR TRUSTED FRIEND, BUT FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS, NO APPROPRIATE PERSON IS AVAILABLE. REPRESENTATIVE PAYEESHIP IS A LESS RESTRICTIVE PROTECTIVE SERVICE THAN GUARDIANSHIP, AND THE COURTS ARE NOT INVOLVED. HOWEVER, THE BENEFICIARY IS RESTRICTED FROM HAVING CONTROL OF HIS OR HER MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT. CCAC ACTUALLY RECEIVES THE BENEFICIARY'S MONTHLY CHECK AND DISTRIBUTES IT. THE CASEWORKER ENSURES THAT BASIC SHELTER, FOOD, AND CLOTHING NEEDS ARE MET, AND THAT APPROPRIATE BENEFITS ARE ACCESSED; THUS, PROVIDING STABILITY TO THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATION. CLIENTS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE PAYEESHIP PROGRAM ARE TYPICALLY DIAGNOSED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, ALCOHOL, AND DRUG ADDICTION AND/OR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISABILITIES. MANY CLIENTS HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE AND MAY HAVE BEEN EASILY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF FINANCIALLY. GIVEN THESE FACTORS, FUNDS ARE OFTEN MISUSED AND NEEDS SUCH AS SHELTER AND FOOD GO UNMET, LEADING TO HOMELESSNESS, POOR HEALTH, LOWER FUNCTIONING, AND HOSPITALIZATION. GUARDIANSHIP IS A LEGAL RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BY THE PROBATE COURT BETWEEN TWO PARTIES: ONE BEING THE GUARDIAN AND THE OTHER BEING THE WARD. IF, AFTER A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION AND HEARING, THE COURT FINDS THE PERSON INCAPABLE OF MANAGING HIS OR HER OWN PERSON, IT WILL APPOINT A LEGAL GUARDIAN. THE GUARDIAN PROTECTS AND OVERSEES THE WARD'S DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE, WHICH INCLUDES FOOD, SHELTER, CLOTHING, HEALTHCARE AND OTHER NECESSITIES. THE GUARDIAN IS THE VOICE AND DECISION-MAKER FOR THE WARD. THE PRESENCE OF A GUARDIAN INCREASES ACCOUNTABILITY FROM CARE STAFF AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND PROVIDES PROTECTION FROM EXPLOITATIVE INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILY IN THE WARD'S LIFE. GUARDIANS MONITOR THEIR WARD'S MENTAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, MATERIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING. THIS PROGRAM HAS TRADITIONALLY SERVED FRAIL, INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS OVER THE AGE OF 60, WHO ARE DEEMED INCOMPETENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM SERVES AS GUARDIANS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH A SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS, AND UNDER THE AGE OF 60.
- $74,527 spent. THE EDUCATION PROGRAM CONSISTS OF OUR OPENING DOORS PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED, COMPREHENSIVE 1-SESSION INTERACTIVE PARENT LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY-TRAINING PROGRAM DEVELOPED FOR LOW-INCOME PARENTS WITH CHILDREN AGES 0-5. THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT ENHANCING PARENTING SKILLS EARLY IN A CHILD'S LIFE LEADS TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIETAL BENEFITS. THE GOAL OF THE OPENING DOORS PROGRAM IS TO HELP PARENTS LEARN: HOW TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS; HOW TO PREPARE THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL; WHAT RESOURCES AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY; HOW TO INTERACT WITH OTHER PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY; HOW TO BE YOUR CHILD'S/CHILDREN'S FIRST LEADER IN EDUCATION. A CERTIFICATE AWARDED UPON COMPLETION OF THE CLASS.
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? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 1946.
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.
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.