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Viable Options in Community

EIN 75-2491685 · Corsicana, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To empower children and families to lead healthy and productive lives by promoting success in education, nurturing wellness in mind and body, and developing skills for tomorrow's global leaders.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
57
Volunteers
33
Highest pay
$140,360, ceo

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

Financial health

Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 (2)
  1. $2.4 million spent. Youth Prevention - VOICE implemented four youth substance abuse prevention curricula in FY25, presenting information about the dangers of substance use and misuse and promoting behavioral health awareness for 21,702 youth and 3,459 adults. While each curriculum serves a different group, they all define success as a change in behaviors and attitudes toward the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and utilize pre- and post-tests to measure these changes. Additionally, VOICE conducted or participated in 1,718 positive activities and community events with 56,290 youth and 15,509 adults. The Curriculum-Based Support Groups curriculum serves youth in Kindergarten through 12th grade who are experiencing some educational and behavioral obstacles in school. Combined, we served 2,292 children and youth in FY25, with a success rate of 98%. The Positive Action curriculum is new to VOICE. It helps children develop self-management skills and encourages responsible decision-making, and it emphasizes actions that promote a healthy and positive lifestyle. VOICE served 2,173 students in FY25 with a success rate of 91%.The agency's family-focused Strengthening Families Program curriculum serves parents, children, and youth of high-risk and general populations. We served 76 parents and 96 children and youth with an 89% completion rate in FY25. Life Skills Training targets children and youth in 3rd grade through high school, regardless of their level of risk for substance use and misuse. We served 3,731 children and youth in FY25 with an overall success rate of 90%.
  2. $90,932 spent. Community Coalition Partnership - The Voices Advocating Substance Awareness (VASA) coalition is a community partnership that targets environmental factors, such as community norms, laws, and city ordinances, in McLennan County. The coalition includes representatives from various community sectors, including businesses, faith-based organizations, parents, students, educators, and law enforcement. The coalition conducted three community media awareness campaigns to change the community's environment and affect its residents' attitudes and knowledge. The campaigns increased awareness of the dangers of vaping among youth and of underage drinking. VASA conducted numerous community-based promotion activities, serving 1,045 youth and 2,832 adults in FY25 through educational presentations and community events. Additionally, VASA conducted 47 stress-relieving activities for 1,163 youth and 1,509 adults through designated COVID-19 funding.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 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 November 1993.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Community Options Inc (Princeton, NJ), EIN 22-2964056. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.