Community Action Wayne Medina
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE STRENGTHN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH COLLABORATIONS AND SERVICES BY PROMOTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY, HOUSEHOLD STABILITY AND FAMILY AND CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN WAYNE AND MEDINA COUNTIES.
- Income
- $13.7 million
- Spending
- $13.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 97%
- Employees
- 154
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $126,806, sr. vp/cfo
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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 21% 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 48% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% 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 2518 of 18 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 (5)
- $6.7 million spent. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START ARE FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN BIRTH-5 AND PREGNANT WOMEN THAT USE A TWO-GENERATIONAL, COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ENSURING CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS ARE SCHOOL-READY. CAW/M SERVES 373 HS CHILDREN AND 141 EHS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, NUTRITION, MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITIES, PARENT ENGAGEMENT, AND MORE. CLASSROOMS ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO EXPLORE LANGUAGE, LITERACY, MATH, AND SCIENCE THROUGH THEIR EVERYDAY ACTIVITIEIS USING A RESEARCHED-BASED CURRICULA DESIGNED FOR THE AGE-GROUP SERVED. ALL CHILDREN ARE ASSESSED THREE TIMES PER YEAR IN THE AREAS OF MATH, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY, HEALTH, PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COGNITION AND TEACHERS INDIVIDIUALIZE LEARNING ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT EACH CHILD. ALL OF CAW/M'S CENTERS ARE 5-STAR STEP UP TO QUALITY RATED, THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RATING. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START ARE FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN BIRTH-5 AND PREGNANT WOMEN THAT USE A TWO-GENERATIONAL, COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ENSURING CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS ARE SCHOOL-READY. CAW/M SERVES 373 HS CHILDREN AND 141 EHS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, NUTRITION, MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITIES, PARENT ENGAGEMENT, AND MORE. CLASSROOMS ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO EXPLORE LANGUAGE, LITERACY, MATH, AND SCIENCE THROUGH THEIR EVERYDAY ACTIVITIEIS USING A RESEARCHED-BASED CURRICULA DESIGNED FOR THE AGE-GROUP SERVED. ALL CHILDREN ARE ASSESSED THREE TIMES PER YEAR IN THE AREAS OF MATH, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY, HEALTH, PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COGNITION AND TEACHERS INDIVIDIUALIZE LEARNING ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT EACH CHILD. ALL OF CAW/M'S CENTERS ARE 5-STAR STEP UP TO QUALITY RATED, THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RATING.
- $1.1 million spent. PROVIDES EMERGENCY UTILITY ASSISTANCE INCLUDING STATE OF OHIO PROGRAMS SUCH AS HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP), PERCENTAGE OF INCOME PAYMENT PLAN (PIPP), WINTER CRISIS HEATING PROGRAM (WCP), AND SUMMER CRISIS COOLING PROGRAM (SCP). UTILITY PAYMENTS ARE ALSO PROVIDED THROUGH SOME GAS AND ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND ADDITIONAL COVID RELATED FUNDS. RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY COVID FOR A LIMITED TIME.
- $1.5 million spent. HOME WEATHERIZATION SERVICES THAT INCREASE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HOMES THROUGH SERVICES SUCH AS HOME INSULATION, IMPROVED VENTILATION, FURNACE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, AND REFRIGERATOR AND LIGHT BULB REPLACEMENT, ROOF REPAIR, HOT WATER TANK REPLACEMENT AND MINOR REPAIRS TO HELP PEOPLE REMAIN SAFELY IN THEIR HOMES ALL AT NO COST TO INCOME-ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS. WEATHERIZATION STAFF APPLY ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES UTILIZING STATE- OF-THE-ART TOOLS MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT.
- $2.8 million spent. ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES CAR REPAIR ASSISTANCE OF UP TO 1,000 PER REPAIR. FOOD IS AVAILABLE THROUGH CAW/M'S RURAL FOOD PANTRY WITH DELIVERY AVAILABLE TO SENIORS IN THE SERVICE AREA. FRESH PRODUCE IS AVAILABLE IN-SEASON WEEKLY THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH A FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS OPERATE IN EACH COUNTY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND INCLUDE FREE TRANSPORTATION TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS, MAILING PASSES, VERIFYING ELIGIBILITY, AND SETTING UP RIDES. WOOSTER CITY TRANSPORATION FOR INDEPENDENT PERSONS, ADMINISTERED BY CAW/M, PROVIDES TWO TRANSIT LOOPS IN WOOSTER WITH LOW FARE WORKPLACE PASSES WHICH ARE SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE ALONG WITH SOME COUNTYWIDE MEDICAL, AND OTHER DESTINATIONS THROUGH VARIOUS FUNDING SOURCES TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS, OLDER ADULTS, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INCLUDE OUTREACH TO SENIORS, CONNECTION TO FREE LEGAL SERVICES, FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION, A SPRING PLANT PROGRAM AND PARENT TRAINING AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY TRAINING. CAW/M OFFERS FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH TWO CERTIFIED CAR SEAT SAFETY TECHNICIANS. CAW/M IS ALSO PART OF THE OHIO BUCKLES BUCKEYES (OBB) PROGRAM. THE OBB PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PROVIDE CAR SEATS AND BOOSTER SEATS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN OHIO. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CAR SEAT THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, FAMILY MEMBERS MUST BE A RESIDENT OF OHIO AND MEET CURRENT WIC ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES. THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD MUST ATTEND A CAR SEAT EDUCATION CLASS WITH THE ON-SITE CPST. FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE (1) SEAT PER CHILD PER THREE (3) YEARS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY IS A CHANGE MODEL THAT TEACHES THE "HIDDEN RULES" THAT HINDER PEOPLE FROM BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN POVERTY, MIDDLE CLASS, AND WEALTH. WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED TO AREA BUSINESSES, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, SCHOOL FACULTY, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, AND OTHERS WHO ARE SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND THE BARRIERS THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY MAY FACE. GETTING AHEAD, A PART OF THE BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY PROGRAM, IS A FREE 8-WEEK WORKSHOP. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BUILD A PATH TO A BETTER FUTURE WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY, SOFT SKILLS CERTIFICATION AND ONLINE LIFE COACHING INCORPORATED. A SIMILAR PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - R RULES - IS ALSO OFFERED, AS WELL AS WORKPLACE STABILITY TRAINING FOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS.
- ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES CAR REPAIR ASSISTANCE OF UP TO 1,000 PER REPAIR. FOOD IS AVAILABLE THROUGH CAW/M'S RURAL FOOD PANTRY WITH DELIVERY AVAILABLE TO SENIORS IN THE SERVICE AREA. FRESH PRODUCE IS AVAILABLE IN-SEASON WEEKLY THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH A FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS OPERATE IN EACH COUNTY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND INCLUDE FREE TRANSPORTATION TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS, MAILING PASSES, VERIFYING ELIGIBILITY, AND SETTING UP RIDES. WOOSTER CITY TRANSPORATION FOR INDEPENDENT PERSONS, ADMINISTERED BY CAW/M, PROVIDES TWO TRANSIT LOOPS IN WOOSTER WITH LOW FARE WORKPLACE PASSES WHICH ARE SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE ALONG WITH SOME COUNTYWIDE MEDICAL, AND OTHER DESTINATIONS THROUGH VARIOUS FUNDING SOURCES TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS, OLDER ADULTS, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INCLUDE OUTREACH TO SENIORS, CONNECTION TO FREE LEGAL SERVICES, FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION, A SPRING PLANT PROGRAM AND PARENT TRAINING AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY TRAINING. CAW/M OFFERS FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH TWO CERTIFIED CAR SEAT SAFETY TECHNICIANS. CAW/M IS ALSO PART OF THE OHIO BUCKLES BUCKEYES (OBB) PROGRAM. THE OBB PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PROVIDE CAR SEATS AND BOOSTER SEATS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN OHIO. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CAR SEAT THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, FAMILY MEMBERS MUST BE A RESIDENT OF OHIO AND MEET CURRENT WIC ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES. THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD MUST ATTEND A CAR SEAT EDUCATION CLASS WITH THE ON-SITE CPST. FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE (1) SEAT PER CHILD PER THREE (3) YEARS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY IS A CHANGE MODEL THAT TEACHES THE "HIDDEN RULES" THAT HINDER PEOPLE FROM BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN POVERTY, MIDDLE CLASS, AND WEALTH. WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED TO AREA BUSINESSES, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, SCHOOL FACULTY, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, AND OTHERS WHO ARE SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND THE BARRIERS THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY MAY FACE. GETTING AHEAD, A PART OF THE BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY PROGRAM, IS A FREE 8-WEEK WORKSHOP. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BUILD A PATH TO A BETTER FUTURE WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY, SOFT SKILLS CERTIFICATION AND ONLINE LIFE COACHING INCORPORATED. A SIMILAR PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - R RULES - IS ALSO OFFERED, AS WELL AS WORKPLACE STABILITY TRAINING FOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1966.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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