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Christians Against Poverty America

EIN 83-1444554 · Wheaton, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Christians Against Poverty America exists to equip the church, to serve the poor, and to see the lost saved, across the nation.

Income
$351,386
Spending
$344,092
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
100

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    6 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $132,368 spent. CAP Debt Help - CAP operates a network of Debt Help Centers in partnership with local churches to tackle the poverty caused by debt and financial crisis. Our certified credit counselors, along with the love and care of the local church, improve our clients financial situations resulting in life changing transformation. Debt is a huge burden on the most needy in society caught in the trap of rising living costs and low income. A church based worker meets with clients in the local community and offers support via home-based visits. We offer emergency aid, budget advice and plans to become debt free all completely free of charge. We believe in a whole life approach and helping with more than just financial concerns. We also work to address the wider emotional, spiritual and mental issues that our clients face. Where people are interested in matters of faith, our church workers are encouraged to sensitively help clients to explore the Christian faith.
  2. $66,058 spent. CAP Money - The CAP Money Course is a simple 3-week money management program, run by local churches, that gives the most needy the opportunity to learn skills that have a lasting impact on their finances. Where other courses deal with advanced material such as investing, retirement and house buying the CAP Money course focuses on the bedrock of building a budget. We offer one to one coaching and simplified material to ensure each person leaves with a livable budget and a system to make it work preventing future poverty caused by poor money skills. We believe in a whole life approach and helping with more than just financial concerns. We also work to address the wider emotional, spiritual and mental issues that our clients face. Where people are interested in matters of faith, our church workers are encouraged to sensitively help clients to explore the Christian faith.
  3. $71,673 spent. Raising Awareness - At CAP we understand that poverty may not look the way that many Americans think it does. Food banks, shelters, soup kitchens and homeless shelters are all incredibly important but our focus is to break the cycle of systemic poverty here in the US. The poverty caused by debt is not widely understood with many believing it is caused by overspending and consumerism and we work to help people understand the causes of poverty and its effects. We do this through our program of webinars, in person seminars, church talks, one to one meetings, and by engaging with other community initiatives with like minded nonprofits. We also distribute literature and in particular our book, Nevertheless, free of charge, which details our founders struggles and overcoming his personal debt.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 2019.

    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.

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.