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Circular Action Alliance

EIN 92-3197259 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak9 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

CAA HELPS PRODUCERS COMPLY WITH EPR LAWS, DELIVERS HARMONIZED BEST-IN-CLASS SERVICES AND WORKS WITH GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES TO REDUCE WASTE AND RECYCLE MORE

Income
$537,186
Spending
$20.3 million
Spent on programs
50%
Reserves
-19.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
32
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$270,623, chief executive officer

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

Weak: 9 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 165% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3671% of income.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    50% of spending went to programs.

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 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 (1)
  1. $10.1 million spent. CIRCULAR ACTION ALLIANCE (THE ORGANIZATION OR CAA) IS A NATIONAL NON-PROFIT THAT HAS BEEN SET UP ON BEHALF OF PRODUCERS AS A PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY ORGANIZATION (PRO) TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY (EPR) LAWS FOR PAPER AND PACKAGING. THE ORGANIZATION IS CURRENTLY BUILDING COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES TO FULFIL THE OBLIGATIONS OF THESE EPR LAWS BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION AND TO LESSEN THE BURDENS OF GOVERNMENT BY IMPLEMENTING RECYCLING STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS WHERE AUTHORIZED OR MANDATED BY APPLICABLE LAW. THE ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED BY LEADING COMPANIES FROM THE FOOD, BEVERAGE, CONSUMER GOODS, AND RETAIL INDUSTRIES IN RESPONSE TO THE PASSAGE OF EPR LAWS IN CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, MAINE, AND OREGON.

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 2023.

    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.