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East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corp

EIN 48-0725806 · Ottawa, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ECKAN BUILDS CONNECTIONS AND PROVIDES PROGRAM SERVICES IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS TO SUPPORT THE STABILITY, HEALTH, AND ENGAGEMENT OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

Income
$12.6 million
Spending
$12.9 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
143
Volunteers
2,749
Highest pay
$128,281, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% 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 March 31, 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

    14 of 14 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 March 31, 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 (1)
  1. $12.2 million spent. ECKAN'S COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) FUNDED SERVICES ASSIST LOW- INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN ANDERSON, COFFEY, DOUGLAS, FRANKLIN, JOHNSON, LYON, MIAMI, MORRIS, AND OSAGE COUNTIES. IN FY2024-2025, CSBG- FUNDED SERVICES FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON CRISIS RECOVERY, ASSISTING HOUSEHOLDS WITH NECESSARY PAYMENTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR LIVING SITUATIONS; THESE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS INCLUDED RENT, UTILITIES, CAR INSURANCE, CAR REPAIRS, BUS PASSES, MEDICAL EXPENSES, AND MORE. CSBG-FUNDED SERVICES ALSO SUPPORTED FAMILIES DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH SCHOOL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTIONS, DURING THE SUMMERS WITH SUMMER LUNCH AND SENIOR FARMERS MARKET, AND DURING THE HOLIDAYS WITH HOLIDAY BUREAUS. YEAR-ROUND, CSBG-FUNDED STAFF OFFER THE STEPPINGSTONES TO SUCCESS CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO HELP PARTICIPANTS WITH SETTING AND REACHING THEIR GOALS. THESE GOALS ARE OFTEN FINANCIAL GOALS OR GOALS TO REMOVE OR NAVIGATE THE BARRIERS EXPERIENCED WHEN LIVING IN POVERTY. FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AND PANTRIES ARE ALSO OFFERED YEAR-ROUND TO SUPPORT ECKAN'S COMMUNITIES. ECKAN'S WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP) REDUCES ENERGY COSTS FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE ELDERLY, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AND CHILDREN, BY INCREASING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF THEIR HOMES SO THAT THE STRUCTURE USES LESS ELECTRICITY AND FUEL, WHILE ENSURING THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY. ECKAN WEATHERIZATION PROVIDES HOME ENERGY AUDITS AND INSTALLATION OF ENERGY REDUCTION MEASURES IN 17 NORTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL KANSAS COUNTIES. THE HOME ENERGY AUDIT CONSISTS OF A FULL HOUSE INSPECTION TO LOOK FOR AREAS OF POTENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES CONDUCTED BY A CERTIFIED WEATHERIZATION INSPECTOR. THEY COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE HOME INCLUDING RESULTS OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, USE AN AUDIT SOFTWARE TO ESTIMATE POTENTIAL SAVINGS, DEVELOP A LIST OF COST-EFFECTIVE MEASURES, AND IDENTIFY ENERGY-RELATED HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES. MEASURES THAT ARE INSTALLED IMPROVE THE THERMAL COMFORT AND PROVIDE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WARM, SAFE, AND SECURE HOUSING. ALL THE WHILE, PROVIDING NATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND LOCAL JOBS. ECKAN HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SUPPORT HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 5. SERVICES INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, DENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND OVERALL FAMILY WELL-BEING. SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS, WITH A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH THAT ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO ACT AS THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST TEACHERS. ECKAN'S COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) FUNDED SERVICES ASSIST LOW- INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN ANDERSON, COFFEY, DOUGLAS, FRANKLIN, JOHNSON, LYON, MIAMI, MORRIS, AND OSAGE COUNTIES. IN FY2024-2025, CSBG- FUNDED SERVICES FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON CRISIS RECOVERY, ASSISTING HOUSEHOLDS WITH NECESSARY PAYMENTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR LIVING SITUATIONS; THESE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS INCLUDED RENT, UTILITIES, CAR INSURANCE, CAR REPAIRS, BUS PASSES, MEDICAL EXPENSES, AND MORE. CSBG-FUNDED SERVICES ALSO SUPPORTED FAMILIES DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH SCHOOL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTIONS, DURING THE SUMMERS WITH SUMMER LUNCH AND SENIOR FARMERS MARKET, AND DURING THE HOLIDAYS WITH HOLIDAY BUREAUS. YEAR-ROUND, CSBG-FUNDED STAFF OFFER THE STEPPINGSTONES TO SUCCESS CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO HELP PARTICIPANTS WITH SETTING AND REACHING THEIR GOALS. THESE GOALS ARE OFTEN FINANCIAL GOALS OR GOALS TO REMOVE OR NAVIGATE THE BARRIERS EXPERIENCED WHEN LIVING IN POVERTY. FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AND PANTRIES ARE ALSO OFFERED YEAR-ROUND TO SUPPORT ECKAN'S COMMUNITIES. ECKAN'S WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP) REDUCES ENERGY COSTS FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE ELDERLY, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AND CHILDREN, BY INCREASING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF THEIR HOMES SO THAT THE STRUCTURE USES LESS ELECTRICITY AND FUEL, WHILE ENSURING THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY. ECKAN WEATHERIZATION PROVIDES HOME ENERGY AUDITS AND INSTALLATION OF ENERGY REDUCTION MEASURES IN 17 NORTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL KANSAS COUNTIES. THE HOME ENERGY AUDIT CONSISTS OF A FULL HOUSE INSPECTION TO LOOK FOR AREAS OF POTENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES CONDUCTED BY A CERTIFIED WEATHERIZATION INSPECTOR. THEY COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE HOME INCLUDING RESULTS OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, USE AN AUDIT SOFTWARE TO ESTIMATE POTENTIAL SAVINGS, DEVELOP A LIST OF COST-EFFECTIVE MEASURES, AND IDENTIFY ENERGY-RELATED HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES. MEASURES THAT ARE INSTALLED IMPROVE THE THERMAL COMFORT AND PROVIDE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WARM, SAFE, AND SECURE HOUSING. ALL THE WHILE, PROVIDING NATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND LOCAL JOBS. ECKAN HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SUPPORT HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 5. SERVICES INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, DENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND OVERALL FAMILY WELL-BEING. SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS, WITH A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH THAT ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO ACT AS THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST TEACHERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 March 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 October 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.