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Communuity Action Inc of Central Texas

EIN 74-1541726 · San Marcos, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 1965, COMMUNITY ACTION, INC. OF CENTRAL TEXAS HAS CONTINUOUSLY WORKED TO ASSIST LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES IN CENTRAL TEXAS BY PROVIDING A VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE AGENCY HAS FOUR AREAS OF OPERATION: HEALTH SERVICES; EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION; ADULT EDUCATION; AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. EACH AREA HAS A LEADERSHIP TEAM THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SPECIFIC OUTCOMES DETAILED IN THE AGENCY'S STRATEGIC PLAN. COMMUNITY ACTION EMPLOYEES MOBILIZE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE & DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO BECOME SELF- SUFFICIENT.

Income
$17.0 million
Spending
$17.0 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 91%
Employees
380
Volunteers
420
Highest pay
$116,522, fiscal offic

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

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 October 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 (5)
  1. $9.7 million spent. THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START, AND TEXAS HOME VISITING) HEAD START PROGRAM PROVIDES CONTINUOUS, INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS AND PREGNANT WOMEN. THE HEAD START PROGRAM SUPPORTS CHILDREN'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE EARLY LEARNING, HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES, AND CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING. ANNUALLY, COMMUNITY ACTION SERVES 447 CHILDREN AGES BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS AND PREGNANT WOMEN AT 12 HEAD START PROGRAM CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN HAYS AND CALDWELL COUNTIES. THE TEXAS HOME-VISITING PROGRAM PROVIDES INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT HOMEBASED SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS. ANNUALLY, COMMUNITY ACTION SERVES 203 FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN HOME-BASED PROGRAMS IN HAYS COUNTY. THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START, AND TEXAS HOME VISITING) HEAD START PROGRAM PROVIDES CONTINUOUS, INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS AND PREGNANT WOMEN. THE HEAD START PROGRAM SUPPORTS CHILDREN'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE EARLY LEARNING, HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES, AND CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING. ANNUALLY, COMMUNITY ACTION SERVES 447 CHILDREN AGES BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS AND PREGNANT WOMEN AT 12 HEAD START PROGRAM CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN HAYS AND CALDWELL COUNTIES. THE TEXAS HOME-VISITING PROGRAM PROVIDES INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT HOMEBASED SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF BIRTH-TO-FIVE YEARS. ANNUALLY, COMMUNITY ACTION SERVES 203 FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN HOME-BASED PROGRAMS IN HAYS COUNTY.
  2. $2.2 million spent. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO HELP LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITH ENERGY COSTS; COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WORKING TOWARD SELF- SUFFICIENCY; AND A SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER. THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZE LOCAL AND STATE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH THE HIGHEST ENERGY NEEDS IN HAYS, CALDWELL, AND BLANCO COUNTIES. COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT IS A UNIQUE PROGRAM THAT WORKS CLOSELY WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WORKING TOWARDS BECOMING SELF-SUFFICIENT BY PROVIDING A VARIETY OF SUPPORT THAT ENABLES THEM TO SUCCEED IN OBTAINING A LIVING WAGE JOB, AND MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS. THE SAN MARCOS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER PROVIDES FELLOWSHIP, ACTIVITIES, AND CONGREGATE MEALS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, SUPPORT, INDEPENDENCE AND TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT IN AND WITH THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO HELP LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITH ENERGY COSTS; COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WORKING TOWARD SELF- SUFFICIENCY; AND A SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER. THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UTILIZE LOCAL AND STATE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH THE HIGHEST ENERGY NEEDS IN HAYS, CALDWELL, AND BLANCO COUNTIES. COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT IS A UNIQUE PROGRAM THAT WORKS CLOSELY WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WORKING TOWARDS BECOMING SELF-SUFFICIENT BY PROVIDING A VARIETY OF SUPPORT THAT ENABLES THEM TO SUCCEED IN OBTAINING A LIVING WAGE JOB, AND MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS. THE SAN MARCOS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER PROVIDES FELLOWSHIP, ACTIVITIES, AND CONGREGATE MEALS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, SUPPORT, INDEPENDENCE AND TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT IN AND WITH THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $2.8 million spent. COMMUNITY ACTION, INC.'S ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES IN THE TEN COUNTIES SURROUNDING TRAVIS COUNTY. ITS CORE SERVICES INCLUDE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY (HSE) PREPARATION, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL), AND JOB TRAINING NECESSARY FOR TRANSITIONING INTO EMPLOYMENT, CAREER ADVANCEMENT, AND LIFELONG LEARNING. IT PROVIDES SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH LIMITED MASTERY OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL SKILLS; ADULTS WHO DO NOT HAVE A SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA; OR WHO ARE UNABLE TO SPEAK, READ OR WRITE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS COLLEGE PREPARATION CLASSES TO ASSIST THOSE WHO WISH TO PURSUE AN ADVANCED DEGREE. DAY AND EVENING CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE RURAL CAPITAL WORKFORCE AREA. COMPUTER LITERACY INSTRUCTION IS OFFERED INTERMITTENTLY AT DESIGNATED SITES.
  4. $1.2 million spent. COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES; BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND BREAST CANCER CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES; PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE; AND HIV/AIDS AWARENESS, TESTING AND CASE MANAGEMENT. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR MEN AND WOMEN INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF BIRTH CONTROL METHODS. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE WELL WOMAN EXAMS; PREGNANCY TESTING; SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS TESTING & TREATMENT. FEES ARE BASED ON A SLIDING FEE SCALE AND WE ACCEPT MEDICAID AND HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN. THE BREAST CANCER PROGRAM INCLUDES SCREENING FOR BREAST CANCER. CASE MANAGEMENT IS PROVIDED IF DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. HIV/AIDS SERVICES INCLUDES CASE MANAGEMENT FOR HIV POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS IN THE EIGHT COUNTIES SURROUNDING TRAVIS CO. CASE MANAGEMENT INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND OTHER SUPPORT
  5. COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES; BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND BREAST CANCER CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES; PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE; AND HIV/AIDS AWARENESS, TESTING AND CASE MANAGEMENT. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR MEN AND WOMEN INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF BIRTH CONTROL METHODS. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE WELL WOMAN EXAMS; PREGNANCY TESTING; SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS TESTING & TREATMENT. FEES ARE BASED ON A SLIDING FEE SCALE AND WE ACCEPT MEDICAID AND HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN. THE BREAST CANCER PROGRAM INCLUDES SCREENING FOR BREAST CANCER. CASE MANAGEMENT IS PROVIDED IF DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. HIV/AIDS SERVICES INCLUDES CASE MANAGEMENT FOR HIV POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS IN THE EIGHT COUNTIES SURROUNDING TRAVIS CO. CASE MANAGEMENT INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND OTHER SUPPORT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 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 October 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 May 1996.

    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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