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Community Action Opportunities

EIN 56-0817672 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO HELP PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON LIMITED INCOMES TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES OUR DEDICATED, DIVERSE AND EXCEPTIONAL STAFF AND LEADERSHIP DELIVER COMPREHENSIVE, HIGH QUALITY SERVICES, BUILD AND SUPPORT STRONG PARTNERSHIPS, AND MOBILIZE COMMUNITY ACTION TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE.

Income
$14.1 million
Spending
$12.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 76%
Employees
152
Volunteers
14

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $8.0 million spent. CHILDREN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPSCHILDREN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS (CFCP) UTILIZES GRANTS AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS HEAD START, NC PRE-K , AND CHILDREN AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES WITH LIMITED INCOMES WHO HAVE CHILDREN AGES THREE TO FIVE YEARS OLD. FOCUSED ON THE PHYSICAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH OF CHILDREN, THESE PROGRAMS HELP PARENTS TO ASSESS AND MEET THEIR FAMILY'S SHORT-AND LONG-TERM NEEDS. EXPERIENCED CLASSROOM TEACHERS PLAN, ASSESS AND RECORD EACH CHILD'S PROGRESS AND SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH PARENTS. CHILDREN LEAVE THESE PROGRAMS PREPARED FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE. WE WELCOME FAMILIES FROM ALL RACIAL, RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL GROUPS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO SPEAK LITTLE OR NO ENGLISH OR WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WERE ACCOMPLISHED - COMMUNITY ACTION OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED HIGH QUALITY COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO 380 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR A 180 DAY SCHOOL YEAR. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE MAINTAINED OVER 92.4% OF OUR 525 FUNDED HEAD START ENROLLMENT, AND PROVIDED 109,719 NUTRITIOUS BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES, AND SNACKS TO ENROLLED CHILDREN. THE OBJECTIVE OF CFCP IS FOR CHILDREN TO LEAVE PREPARED FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE BY INCREASING THE SOCIAL COMPETENCE THROUGH FOCUSING ON SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $3.2 million spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTTHE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDES SERVICES FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE A LIMITED INCOME AND ARE READY TO MAKE THE HARD CHANGES NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AND OPERATES PROGRAMS FOR MAKING HOMES SAFE, HEALTHY AND MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT. COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT - LIFE WORKS PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED INCOME WHO ARE READY TO MAKE THE HARD CHANGES NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES WITH THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES OFFERED BY THE PROGRAM'S LIFE COACHES, CUSTOMERS REACH SPECIFIC GOALS WITHIN ONE TO THREE YEARS. WHETHER IT'S FINDING AND KEEPING A BETTER JOB, ENROLLING IN AND GRADUATING FROM SCHOOL OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, OBTAINING SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR BUILDING PERSONAL AND ECONOMIC STRENGTH TO STABILIZE THEIR FAMILIES. ANNUALLY, LIFE WORKS PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND OTHER SUPPORT THAT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 ENABLED 31 LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES THAT PREVENT SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND HAVE INCOME OVER 125% OF THE US-DHHS POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINE.WEATHERIZATION SERVICES PROGRAM - THE FOCUS OF THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO QUALIFYING CLIENTS TO MAKE THEIR HOMES SAFE, HEALTHY AND MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT. USING A "WHOLE HOUSE" APPROACH, WE INSTALL INSULATION UNDER FLOORS, IN ATTICS AND WALLS AND SEAL AIR LEAKS. WE ALSO TEST AND INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS, INSTALL ENERGY-EFFICIENT BULBS, REPAIR/REPLACE WATER HEATERS, REPAIR/REPLACE FAULTY HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS AND SHARE HOME ENERGY COST-SAVING IDEAS WITH CUSTOMERS. FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024, 76 HOMES WERE WEATHERIZED FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN BUNCOMBE, CLEVELAND, HENDERSON, MADISON, MCDOWELL, POLK, RUTHERFORD AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES. IN ADDITION, 57 HOMES RECEIVED HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS.

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 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 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 December 1964.

    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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