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The Improvement Association

EIN 54-1117976 · Emporia, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED TO CARRY OUT COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS WHICH ARE GENERALLY FUNDED BY REVENUE FROM AGENCY PROGRAMS AND GRANTS FROM LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES. SUCH GRANTS USUALLY REQUIRES COMPLIANCE WITH PRESCRIBED GRANT CONDITIONS AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS OF CASH OR NONCASH CONTRIBUTIONS.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
74

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $2.4 million spent. HEAD START HEAD START DURING THE 2024- 2025 SCHOOL YEAR, 190 CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED HEAD START SERVICES. OF OUR TOTAL ENROLLMENT, 10% OF FUNDED ENROLLMENT WAS DIAGNOSED AS CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. HEAD START OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR ALL CHILDREN IN PREPARATION FOR KINDERGARTEN. SERVICES INCLUDE EDUCATION, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, MENTAL HEALTH, DENTAL, AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO MOVE FAMILIES TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
  2. $345,307 spent. 1.EXPANSION OF MIECHV GRANT AND SERVICE REACH DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION SECURED AN INCREASE IN ITS MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING INITIATIVE (MIECHV) GRANT TO 550,000, ALLOWING THE PROGRAM TO EXPAND SERVICES TO FAMILIES RESIDING IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY. THIS FUNDING ENHANCEMENT ENABLED THE AGENCY TO STRENGTHEN HOME VISITING SUPPORTS, IMPROVE CHILD AND MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND EXTEND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES TO MORE AT-RISK HOUSEHOLDS.
  3. $330,031 spent. 2.CSBG ENDORSEMENT OF WHOLE FAMILY INITIATIVE THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) PROGRAM OFFICIALLY ENDORSED THE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION'S WHOLE FAMILY INITIATIVE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENT BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BASED ON ITS OUTCOMES FOLLOWING A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROJECT PHASE. THIS ENDORSEMENT REFLECTS THE INITIATIVE'S PROVEN IMPACT IN HELPING FAMILIES ACHIEVE GREATER STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH A COORDINATED, MULTI-GENERATIONAL SERVICE APPROACH. TANF EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO PARTNER UP WITH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AT GREENSVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER WITH THE VIRGINIA BONDING PROGRAM. WE ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, WHO ARE TRYING TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AND RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE SECTOR. WORKFORCE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE EMPORIA CHAMBER LUNCHEON AND NETWORK WITH OTHER EMPLOYERS/ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH CHICK-FIL-A OWNER'S WIFE. CHICK-FIL-A JUST RECENTLY OPEN HERE IN EMPORIA, SO I HOPE WE CAN HAVE PARTNERSHIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED AT THE SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL JOB FAIR IN OCTOBER. WE SIGNED UP 15 INDIVIDUALS SEEKING JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT. 2.CSBG ENDORSEMENT OF WHOLE FAMILY INITIATIVE THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) PROGRAM OFFICIALLY ENDORSED THE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION'S WHOLE FAMILY INITIATIVE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENT BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BASED ON ITS OUTCOMES FOLLOWING A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROJECT PHASE. THIS ENDORSEMENT REFLECTS THE INITIATIVE'S PROVEN IMPACT IN HELPING FAMILIES ACHIEVE GREATER STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH A COORDINATED, MULTI-GENERATIONAL SERVICE APPROACH. TANF EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO PARTNER UP WITH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AT GREENSVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER WITH THE VIRGINIA BONDING PROGRAM. WE ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, WHO ARE TRYING TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AND RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE SECTOR. WORKFORCE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE EMPORIA CHAMBER LUNCHEON AND NETWORK WITH OTHER EMPLOYERS/ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH CHICK-FIL-A OWNER'S WIFE. CHICK-FIL-A JUST RECENTLY OPEN HERE IN EMPORIA, SO I HOPE WE CAN HAVE PARTNERSHIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED AT THE SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL JOB FAIR IN OCTOBER. WE SIGNED UP 15 INDIVIDUALS SEEKING JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT.

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 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 June 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 1984.

    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.

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