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Washington County Community Action Council Inc

EIN 52-0817684 · Hagerstown, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE, AND ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY IN THE MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES TO COMBAT POVERTY. THE COUNCIL'S GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE CAPACITIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS TO DEAL WITH THEIR OWN PROBLEMS WITHOUT THE NEED OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 83%
Employees
42
Volunteers
62
Highest pay
$172,120, 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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% 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 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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

    11 of 11 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. $3.9 million spent. COMMUNITY RESOURCES - FOCUSES ON EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ALLEVIATE IMMEDIATE CRISES FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. PROGRAM STAFF LINK CUSTOMERS TO AGENCY PROGRAMS OR REFER THEM TO OTHER AGENCIES WHO PROVIDE SIMILAR SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. SERVICES INCLUDE PAYMENTS FOR UTILITIES, RENT AND PRESCRIPTIONS, FOOD AND HYGIENE ITEMS, AND LINKING CUSTOMERS WITH SHELTERS. PROGRAM STAFF ALSO COORDINATE FEDERAL AND STATE ASSISTANCE WITH HEATING AND ELECTRIC VENDORS ON BEHALF OF ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS. PROGRAM STAFF PROVIDE ADVOCACY TO ARRANGE PAYMENT PLANS, RECONNECT SERVICES AND REDUCE SECURITY DEPOSITS.
  2. $804,809 spent. TRANSPORTATION - THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A COORDINATED HUMAN SERVICE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY, LOW INCOME PERSONS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES DISABILITY TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT TO AND FROM ELIGIBLE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY THE COUNTY'S PARA-TRANSIT PROGRAM.
  3. $2.3 million spent. CASE MANAGEMENT - THE ORGANIZATION'S CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE INTENSIVE SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS TO ASSIST THEM IN MOVING TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY. SUCH SERVICES INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW OF BUDGETS, LINKAGE WITH OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND ASSISTANCE WITH LONG-TERM GOALS TO ATTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
  4. COMMUNITY HOUSING RESOURCES - SERVICES THAT ASSIST LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME CUSTOMERS TO REMAIN IN THEIR CURRENT HOMES OR OBTAIN BETTER HOUSING SITUATIONS. ASSISTANCE VARIES FROM A SHORT-TERM SHELTER STAY TO PREPARATION FOR FIRST-TIME HOME OWNERSHIP. THE ORGANIZATION IS A HUD APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY, PROVIDING PRE-PURCHASE COUNSELING, MORTGAGE DEFAULT COUNSELING, AND LANDLORD-TENANT MEDIATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION IS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS A COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION THAT IDENTIFIES AND DEVELOPS HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COUNTY.

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 November 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.

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