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South Central Iowa Community Action Program Inc

EIN 42-0921920 · Chariton, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE ADVOCACY AND SERVICES FOR DISADVANTAGED PERSONS AND BRING ABOUT INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. (SEE SCHEDULE O).TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION, SCICAP OPERATES PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, POOR AND HANDICAPPED WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, SEX OR AGE. SPECIFIC PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY SCICAP TO MEET THE GOALS OF OUR MISSION INCLUDE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT; AFFORDABLE DAY CARE; EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES; ENERGY CONSERVATION THROUGH LIHEAP COUNSELING AND WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS; IMPROVED AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH REHABILITATION, NEW CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING; ADEQUATE NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND FOOD ASSISTANCE. ASSISTANCE WITH HEALTH NEEDS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN COOPERATION WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL ENTITIES.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
104
Volunteers
243
Highest pay
$97,878, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 October 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 (9)
  1. $2.0 million spent. HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START - PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN, PRIMARILY ALL OF WHOM COME FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES. ENROLLED CHILDREN RECEIVED SCREENINGS INCLUDING DEVELOPMENTAL, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL STATUS, HEARING, VISION, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND BLOOD LEAD LEVEL SCREENINGS. AS PART OF EARLY HEAD START PREGNANT WOMEN WERE ASSISTED WITH OBTAINING ACCESS TO PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM CARE AND EDUCATION THROUGH REFERRALS.
  2. $910,941 spent. LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) - PROGRAM AIDS LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN PAYING THEIR HOUSEHOLD HEATING COSTS AND PROVIDING NEW FURNACES AND AIR CONDITIONERS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, 1,830 INDIVIDUALS/HOUSEHOLDS WERE PROVIDED WITH ASSISTANCE.
  3. $380,576 spent. EMPOWERMENT AREA PROGRAMS - PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM WHICH IS A PARENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM OFFERED TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO KINDERGARTEN ENTRY. THE PROGRAM OFFERS 4 MAIN COMPONENTS TO ITS PARTICIPANTS: HOME VISITS, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, GROUP MEETINGS, AND A RESOURSE NETWORK
  4. $283,508 spent. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS - PROVIDE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FORTHREE TO FOUR YEAR OLD CHILDREN WHO ARE DETERMINED TO BE AT RISK.
  5. $202,524 spent. DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY SERVICES TO FAMILIES ENROLLED IN THESTATE'S FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM WHO ARE DETERMINED TO BE AT RISK OFLONG-TERM WELFARE DEPENDENCY.
  6. $152,022 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANTS (CSBG) - PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THEADMINISTRATION OF HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS OR PROVIDES DIRECT SUPPORT TOTHE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS WHICH REQUIRE CO-FUNDING TO COMPLETE THEIRACTIVITIES.
  7. $148,158 spent. WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS - PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDSTO HELP WEATHERIZE THEIR HOMES WITH SUCH THINGS AS INSULATION, WINDOWS,DOORS AND FURNACES. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, 1,830 HOUSEHOLDS ELIGIBLEFOR ASSISTANCE AND 3 HOMES WEATHERIZED.
  8. $134,963 spent. LOCAL AND OTHER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING WRAP-AROUND CHILD CARE, HOUSINGPRESERVATION, EMBRACE IOWA, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, TENANT BASED RENTALASSISTANCE, HOME ENERGY SAVERS, SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION, AND OTHERLOCAL PROGRAMS.
  9. $125,032 spent. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM - PROVIDES ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES' CHILDREN ENROLLED IN HEAD START CENTERS AND FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1966.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.