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West Central Community Action

EIN 42-0919214 · Harlan, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OUR MISSION IS TO ADMINISTER PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP RESIDENTS IN OUR 10-COUNTY REGION OF SOUTHWEST IOWA ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Income
$14.0 million
Spending
$13.5 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
139
Volunteers
1,803
Highest pay
$122,436, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 25

    23 of 23 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 September 30, 2025, 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)
  1. $5.3 million spent. HEAD START / EARLY HEAD START - PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SERVING PREDOMINANTLY LOW-INCOME CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. $2.4 million spent. LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) - PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFYING LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN PAYING THEIR HEATING COSTS.
  3. $786,944 spent. CACFP HOMES - PROMOTES GOOD NUTRITION, POSITIVE EATING HABITS AND ATTITUDES FOR CHILDREN IN REGISTERED FAMILY AND GROUP DAY CARE HOMES BY PROVIDING MEAL COST REIMBURSEMENT FOLLOWING TRAINING, SAFETY/SANITATION INSPECTIONS, NUTRITIONAL CONSULTATION AND MENU REVIEWS. CACFP CENTERS - PROVIDES BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACK TO MEET HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN'S NUTRITIONAL NEEDS.
  4. $4.8 million spent. VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING: CSBG, WEATHERIZATION, CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL, FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY, EARLY CHILDHOOD IOWA AND VARIOUS OTHER SMALL PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.

    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 1966.

    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.