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Iowa Community Action Association

EIN 42-1183068 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EDUCATING, ADVOCATING FOR, AND CONNECTING COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES TO AMPLIFY A UNIFIED VOICE IN SERVICE OF IOWANS FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
3
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$107,408, 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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 (2)
  1. $1.5 million spent. IOWA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM (IIAGP) AND IOWA DISASTER CASE ADVOCACY - EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023, THE FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT OF THIS PROGRAM MOVED FROM IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THE PROGRAM ASSISTED FAMILIES WHOSE INCOMES WERE AT OR BELOW TWICE THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES WHO WERE AFFECTED BY SEVERE WEATHER UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S DISASTER DECLARATION. FAMILIES APPLIED FOR THE IIAGP PROGRAM FOR A MAXIMUM OF $7,000 ASSISTANCE AT THE AREA COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF IOWA. IDCA WAS USED TO ASSIST COMMUNITY ACTION STAFF THAT WERE HELPING IOWANS - THIS FUNDING IS AVAILABLE TO ANY IOWAN AFFECTED BY A DISASATER IN A GOVERNOR DECLARED COUNTY.
  2. $520,190 spent. 3DRP - THIS PROGRAM IS A PILOT PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDS TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH DIAPERING AND DIAPERING SUPPLIES AND HOME VISITATION SERVICES. PARTICIPATING AGENCIES ONLY ENROLL FAMILIES WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN HOME VISITATION PROGRAMS WHO HAVE DIAPER AGED CHILDREN.

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 June 2021.

    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.