Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Community Action Council of Howard County Md Inc

EIN 52-0823083 · Columbia, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL OF HOWARD COUNTY (CAC) SEEKS TO DIMINISH POVERTY AND ENABLE SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR ALL HOWARD COUNTY INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN IN NEED THROUGH HOUSING ASSISTANCE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, ENERGY ASSISTANCE, WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. CAC CONTINUOUSLY ASSESSES COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PLANS STRATEGICALLY TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

Income
$25.6 million
Spending
$24.3 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
167
Volunteers
1,052
Highest pay
$242,914, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 June 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 (5)
  1. $6.1 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: CAC PROVIDES FULL-DAY, FULL-YEAR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMMING TO CHILDREN BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS OLD. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES EARLY HEAD START, HEAD START PRESCHOOL AND MSDE PRE-K PROGRAMMING AND PROVIDES ACADEMIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL INTERVENTION SERVICES AS NEEDED. CAC USES A 2-GENERATIONAL APPROACH FOCUSING ON THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY IN A HOLISTIC MANNER BY PAIRING ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FAMILY TO FOCUS ON LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY GOALS SUCH AS EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT. CAC MAXIMIZES ITS RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS THE FAMILY USING A PERSON-CENTERED CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO GENERATE POSITIVE OUTCOMES IN THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF THE FAMILY. CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM RECEIVE BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND A SNACK DAILY. THE PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AS WELL AS LICENSED BY THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF CHILD CARE. IN FY 2025, ONLY 24 OF THE 253 TOTAL LICENSED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS IN HOWARD COUNTY WERE RATED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THE MARYLAND EXCELS. FOUR OF CAC'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS ARE AMONG THE 24 THAT RECEIVED THE HIGHEST RANKING, WITH THE FIFTH AND NEWEST CENTER ON TRACK TO DO SO BY THE END OF 2026. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: CAC PROVIDES FULL-DAY, FULL-YEAR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMMING TO CHILDREN BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS OLD. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES EARLY HEAD START, HEAD START PRESCHOOL AND MSDE PRE-K PROGRAMMING AND PROVIDES ACADEMIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL INTERVENTION SERVICES AS NEEDED. CAC USES A 2-GENERATIONAL APPROACH FOCUSING ON THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY IN A HOLISTIC MANNER BY PAIRING ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FAMILY TO FOCUS ON LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY GOALS SUCH AS EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT. CAC MAXIMIZES ITS RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS THE FAMILY USING A PERSON-CENTERED CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO GENERATE POSITIVE OUTCOMES IN THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF THE FAMILY. CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM RECEIVE BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND A SNACK DAILY. THE PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AS WELL AS LICENSED BY THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF CHILD CARE. IN FY 2025, ONLY 24 OF THE 253 TOTAL LICENSED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS IN HOWARD COUNTY WERE RATED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THE MARYLAND EXCELS. FOUR OF CAC'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS ARE AMONG THE 24 THAT RECEIVED THE HIGHEST RANKING, WITH THE FIFTH AND NEWEST CENTER ON TRACK TO DO SO BY THE END OF 2026.
  2. $1.9 million spent. FOR ENERGY CAC PROVIDES INCOME-ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS WITH UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE TO AVOID UTILITY TERMINATION AND TO HELP THEM GET UTILITIES TURNED BACK ON AFTER THE ARE SHUT-OFF. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, CAC RECEIVED 7,105 APPLICATIONS FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE FROM HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS. A TOTAL OF 3032 HOUSEHOLDS WERE APPROVED AND 2,229,958 WAS PROVIDED IN ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO 2372 HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS. FOR HOUSING CAC OFFERS HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO INCOME ELIGIBLE HOWARD COUNTY FAMILIES, INCLUDING EVICTION PREVENTION, FIRST MONTH'S RENT, AND ASSISTANCE WITH OWED BACK RENT. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 CAC RECEIVED 351 APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FROM HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS. A TOTAL OF 219 APPLICATIONS WERE APPROVED AND 405,195 WAS PROVIDED IN HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 202 HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS. FOR ENERGY CAC PROVIDES INCOME-ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS WITH UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE TO AVOID UTILITY TERMINATION AND TO HELP THEM GET UTILITIES TURNED BACK ON AFTER THE ARE SHUT-OFF. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, CAC RECEIVED 7,105 APPLICATIONS FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE FROM HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS. A TOTAL OF 3032 HOUSEHOLDS WERE APPROVED AND 2,229,958 WAS PROVIDED IN ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO 2372 HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS. FOR HOUSING CAC OFFERS HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO INCOME ELIGIBLE HOWARD COUNTY FAMILIES, INCLUDING EVICTION PREVENTION, FIRST MONTH'S RENT, AND ASSISTANCE WITH OWED BACK RENT. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 CAC RECEIVED 351 APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FROM HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS. A TOTAL OF 219 APPLICATIONS WERE APPROVED AND 405,195 WAS PROVIDED IN HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 202 HOWARD COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS.
  3. $8.7 million spent. THE WEATHERIZATION DEPARTMENT ASSISTS ELIGIBLE LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF ENERGY CONSERVATION MATERIALS IN THEIR HOMES. ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES SUCH AS AIR SEALING, INSULATION, AND HVAC REPLACEMENT ARE THE TYPICAL TYPES OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE. IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES A PROGRAM TO INSTALL ROOFTOP SOLAR ON THE HOMES OF ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS AND ALSO OPERATES A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE NO COST HOME REPAIRS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF HOMES. FUNDING IS PROVIDED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE MARYLAND LOW INCOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM, THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION, AND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. IN FY2025, APPROXIMATELY 600 HOMES WERE SERVED.
  4. $3.8 million spent. FOOD ASSISTANCE: FOOD BANK: THE HOWARD COUNTY FOOD BANK IS THE HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAM OF CAC. THE FOOD BANK PROVIDED 22,512 SERVICES IN HOWARD COUNTY, DISTRIBUTED 1,021,1554 MEALS, AND DOWN STREAMED FOOD TO 11 PARTNER PANTRIES IN 2025. THE PANTRIES FUNCTION AS AN ARM OF THE FOOD BANK THAT REACH CLIENTS IN THEIR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE LOCATED IN FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, COUNTY ENTITIES, AND IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTY. THE DELIVERY PROGRAM PROVIDED 1,094 FOOD DELIVERIES TO THE COUNTY'S HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS. ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE IS BASED ON INCOME AND RESIDENCY. THE PRIMARY SOURCES OF FOOD COME FROM DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND LOCAL GROCERY STORES.
  5. FOOD ASSISTANCE: FOOD BANK: THE HOWARD COUNTY FOOD BANK IS THE HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAM OF CAC. THE FOOD BANK PROVIDED 22,512 SERVICES IN HOWARD COUNTY, DISTRIBUTED 1,021,1554 MEALS, AND DOWN STREAMED FOOD TO 11 PARTNER PANTRIES IN 2025. THE PANTRIES FUNCTION AS AN ARM OF THE FOOD BANK THAT REACH CLIENTS IN THEIR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE LOCATED IN FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, COUNTY ENTITIES, AND IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTY. THE DELIVERY PROGRAM PROVIDED 1,094 FOOD DELIVERIES TO THE COUNTY'S HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS. ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE IS BASED ON INCOME AND RESIDENCY. THE PRIMARY SOURCES OF FOOD COME FROM DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND LOCAL GROCERY STORES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 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 April 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.