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Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency

EIN 36-2598679 · Freeport, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DIMINISH THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF POVERTY BY HELPING PEOPLE IDENTIFY AND OBTAIN THE RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE STABILITY IN ORDER TO BUILD STRONGER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$8.3 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
96
Volunteers
50

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 15% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (5)
  1. ENERGY ASSISTANCE: A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE UTILITY PAYMENTS FOR THE LOW INCOME ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.
  2. SENIOR SERVICES: A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MEALS TO INDIVIDUALS OVER THE AGE OF 60.
  3. HEADSTART: A CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE LOW INCOME AND HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
  4. $7.9 million spent. WEATHERIZATION: A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE AID TO LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS. EXPENSES 372,970. INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0. REVENUE 0. SERVICE GRANTS: A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. EXPENSES 193,359. INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0. REVENUE 0. MISCELLANEOUS HOUSING PROGRAMS TO ASSIST THE LOW INCOME. EXPENSES 120,756. INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0. REVENUE 0.
  5. WEATHERIZATION: A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE AID TO LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS. EXPENSES 372,970. INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0. REVENUE 0. SERVICE GRANTS: A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. EXPENSES 193,359. INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0. REVENUE 0. MISCELLANEOUS HOUSING PROGRAMS TO ASSIST THE LOW INCOME. EXPENSES 120,756. INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0. REVENUE 0.

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 December 1967.

    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.