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Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc

EIN 42-0923424 · Graettinger, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY, INC. IS DEDICATED TO HELPING BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES BY ADDRESSING THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY, INC. WILL STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES THROUGH: THE PROMOTION OF PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP AND A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT, ACHIEVE GOALS AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS; THE BUILDING OF PARTNERSHIPS TO MAXIMIZE COMMUNITY RESOURCES; THE BRIDGING OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CLIENTS, PARTNERS, AND STAFF; THE CREATION OF AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH DIVERSITY IN ALL ITS FORMS IS VALUED AND ENCOURAGED; FISCAL EXCELLENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE VALUED AND MAINTAINED; AND DIVERSIFIED RESOURCES ARE DEVELOPED TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS. THROUGH THESE ACTIONS, UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY, INC. WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AND GROW IN ORDER TO SERVE COMMUNITIES.

Income
$18.8 million
Spending
$18.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
240
Volunteers
1,496
Highest pay
$125,751, executive director

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 (7)
  1. $7.3 million spent. CHILD EDUCATION - THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES GEARED TOWARD THE CARE AND EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN. PARENTS MAY ALSO BE ASSISTED THROUGH THESE INITIATIVES.HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START/CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS - UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY (UDMO) HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ARE FUNDED FOR 254 CHILDREN IN HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START IS FUNDED FOR 183 CHILDREN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ARE FUNDED FOR 32 CHILDREN. ALL PROGRAMS MAINTAINED FULL ENROLLMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM YEAR. HEAD START SERVES MANY MORE CHILDREN IN PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ITS EIGHT-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY'S HEAD START PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN BUENA VISTA, CLAY, DICKINSON, EMMET, O'BRIEN, OSCEOLA, PALO ALTO, AND POCAHONTAS. EARLY HEAD START IS AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTIES OF BUENA VISTA, CLAY AND EMMET.DURING THE YEAR A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF 281 CHILDREN WERE SERVED BY HEAD START, 25% LIVED IN FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BELOW 100% OF POVERTY, 5.7% LIVED IN FAMILIES BETWEEN 100% AND 130% OF POVERTY, 1.7% LIVED IN FAMILIES ABOVE 130% OF POVERTY, 50% RECEIVED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND 1% WERE IN FOSTER CARE AND 16.4% WERE HOMELESS. DURING THE YEAR A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF 205 CHILDREN WERE SERVED BY EARLY HEAD START, 29% LIVED IN FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BELOW 100% OF POVERTY AND 3% LIVED IN FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BETWEEN 100% AND 130% OF POVERTY, 0% LIVED IN FAMILIES ABOVE 130% OF POVERTY, 44% RECEIVED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, 1.4% WERE IN FOSTER CARE AND 29% WERE HOMELESS. HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SERVED A COMBINED TOTAL OF 12% OF CHILDRECHILD EDUCATION - THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES GEARED TOWARD THE CARE AND EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN. PARENTS MAY ALSO BE ASSISTED THROUGH THESE INITIATIVES.HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START/CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS - UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY (UDMO) HEAD START PRESCHOOL AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ARE FUNDED FOR 254 CHILDREN IN HEAD START PRESCHOOL, EARLY HEAD START IS FUNDED FOR 183 CHILDREN AND SHARED VISIONS ARE FUNDED FOR 32 CHILDREN. ALL PROGRAMS MAINTAINED FULL ENROLLMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM YEAR. HEAD START PRESCHOOL SERVES MANY MORE CHILDREN IN PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ITS EIGHT-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY'S HEAD START PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN BUENA VISTA, CLAY, DICKINSON, EMMET, O'BRIEN, OSCEOLA, PALO ALTO, AND POCAHONTAS. EARLY HEAD START IS AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTIES OF BUENA VISTA, CLAY AND EMMET.DURING THE YEAR A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF 281 CHILDREN WERE SERVED BY HEAD START PRESCHOOL, 25% LIVED IN FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BELOW 100% OF POVERTY, 5.7% LIVED IN FAMILIES BETWEEN 100% AND 130% OF POVERTY, 1.7% LIVED IN FAMILIES ABOVE 130% OF POVERTY, 50% RECEIVED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND 1% WERE IN FOSTER CARE AND 16.4% WERE HOMELESS. DURING THE YEAR A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF 205 CHILDREN WERE SERVED BY EARLY HEAD START, 29% LIVED IN FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BELOW 100% OF POVERTY AND 3% LIVED IN FAMILIES WITH INCOMES BETWEEN 100% AND 130% OF POVERTY, 0% LIVED IN FAMILIES ABOVE 130% OF POVERTY, 44% RECEIVED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, 1.4% WERE IN FOSTER CARE AND 29% WERE HOMELESS. HEAD START PRESCHOOL AND EARLY HEAD START SERVED A COMBINED TOTAL OF 12% OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. N WITH DISABILITIES.
  2. $4.9 million spent. WEATHERIZATION/ENERGY ASSISTANCE -THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE THE ENERGY BURDEN OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS. TWO MAJOR PROGRAMS INCLUDED ARE WEATHERIZATION AND LIHEAP.WEATHERIZATION - THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS A LOW-INCOME ENERGY EFFICIENT PROGRAM. ITS PURPOSE IS TO MAKE THE HOMES OF LOW-INCOME CLIENTS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT, THEREBY REDUCING CLIENTS' FUEL BILLS AND INCREASING THEIR COMFORT. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES TO THE CLIENTS IT SERVES.DURING THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR, A TOTAL OF $1,529,143 WAS EXPENDED TO WEATHERIZE 126 HOMES IN UDMO'S 12-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. THE AVERAGE PER HOME WAS APPROXIMATELY $12,136.LIHEAP - THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO HELP LOW-INCOME IOWA HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS PAY FOR A PORTION OF THEIR PRIMARY HEATING COSTS FOR THE WINTER HEATING SEASON, TO ENCOURAGE REGULAR UTILITY PAYMENTS, TO PROMOTE ENERGY AWARENESS AND TO ENCOURAGE REDUCTION OF ENERGY USAGE THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CLIENT EDUCATION. THE ASSISTANCE IS BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME, HOUSEHOLD SIZE, TYPE OF FUEL AND TYPE OF HOUSING. APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE ARE TAKEN FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH APRIL 30 AT EACH OF UDMO'S COUNTY OUTREACH CENTERS. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, UDMO PROVIDED LIHEAP ASSISTANCE TO 4,455 UNDUPLICATED HOUSEHOLDS IN UDMO'S 12-COUNTY SERVICE AREA FOR A TOTAL SPENT OF $2,194,600 IN ADDITION CRISIS ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO 1,138 HOUSEHOLDS FOR A TOTAL SPENT OF $369,629.26.
  3. $1.2 million spent. OUTREACH - THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WHICH PROVIDE GENERAL RELIEF AND ASSISTANCE TO CITIZENS EXPERIENCING POVERTY OR HARDSHIP WITHIN UDMO'S SERVICE AREA. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: MISCELLANEOUS UTILITY ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE OF ENERGY PROGRAMS, SENIOR CITIZEN ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY POOL PASSES, BACK TO SCHOOL ASSISTANCE, BIRTHDAY ROOM FOR CHILDREN AND ADOPT A FAMILY.
  4. $1.1 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES - COMMUNITY SERVICES INCLUDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS SERVING ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS WITHIN UPPER DES MOINES OPPORTUNITY'S 12-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. ELIGIBILITY MAY VARY BY PROGRAM. THE PROGRAMS INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP ARE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FADSS) AND KOMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT (KIDS) PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE A BLEND OF HOME VISITATION PROGRAMS AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION. FADSS SERVED 108 FAMILIES, AND KIDS SERVED 13 FAMILIES IN FY2025.
  5. $1.1 million spent. HOUSING - RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS OR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
  6. $669,586 spent. FOOD PROGRAMS.
  7. $581,665 spent. HEALTH SERVICES.

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 November 6, 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 March 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 November 4, 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.