Community Action Organization
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
COMMUNITY ACTION LEADS THE WAY TO ELIMINATE CONDITIONS OF POVERTY AND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE.
- Income
- $48.7 million
- Spending
- $49.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 92%
- Employees
- 437
- Volunteers
- 49
- Highest pay
- $197,945, executive director
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
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 45% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $14.1 million spent. HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAMS PROVIDE EMERGENCY RENTS TO THOSE AT RISK OF EVICTION, ASSISTS HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OBTAINING TEMPORARY HOUSING, AND ASSISTS WITH THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN LONG TERM STABILITY. IN ADDITION, OUR HILLSBORO FAMILY SHELTER PROVIDES SHORT-TERM SHELTER WHILE HELPING RESIDENTS DEVELOP A PLAN TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING AND ADDRESS OTHER NEEDS.3,341 FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS CALLED OUR COMMUNITY CONNECT LINE TO GET CRITICAL HOUSING SUPPORT AND SHELTER REFERRALS.107 HOMELESS CHILDREN AND PARENTS HAD THE CHANCE TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET BY STAYING AT COMMUNITY ACTION'S HILLSBORO FAMILY SHELTER GAINING STABILITY AS THEY WORKED TOWARD PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS WITH HOLISTIC SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN INCLUDING WRAPAROUND SERVICES.920 FAMILIES AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES WERE STABILIZED WITH SHORT-TERM RENT ASSISTANCE.240 FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WERE REHOUSED AND STABILIZED WITH SHORT-TERM RENT ASSISTANCE AND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.1,792 FOOD BOXES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO HUNGRY FAMILIES. COMMUNITY ACTION'S EMERGENCY FOOD BOX PROGRAM PROVIDES A THREE-DAY EMERGENCY SUPPLY OF FOOD FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FACING A FOOD SHORTAGE CRISIS.33 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED RENT WELL CLASSES TO LEARN TENANT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND OVERCOME RENTAL CHALLENGES.OUR PROGRAMS EXPANDED HOUSING NAVIGATION SUPPORT, HELPING FAMILIES OVERCOME BARRIERS SUCH AS RENTAL DEBT, CREDIT CHALLENGES, AND LACK OF DOCUMENTATION TO SECURE STABLE HOUSING.
- $12.9 million spent. THE HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS PREPARE CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, PRENATAL TO AGE 5, FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. IN ADDITION TO LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THE PROGRAMS PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS RELATED TO CHILDREN'S HEALTH, FAMILY PARTICIPATION AND WELL-BEING.HEAD START SERVES 436 PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AGES 35, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. PROGRAM MODELS INCLUDE 414 CHILDREN IN FULL SCHOOL DAY/FULL SCHOOL YEAR CLASSROOMS, 18 IN FULL-DAY/FULL-YEAR CLASSROOMS, AND 4 CHILDREN SERVED AT THE COFFEE CREEK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. HEAD START SUPPORTS SCHOOL READINESS AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE EARLY LEARNING, HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND FAMILY WELL-BEING SERVICES.EARLY HEAD START SERVES 148 CHILDREN AGES 0-3 AND PREGNANT WOMEN. SERVICES INCLUDE 120 CHILDREN AND EXPECTANT FAMILIES IN A HOME-BASED MODEL, 24 CHILDREN IN FULL-DAY/FULL-YEAR CLASSROOMS, AND 4 CHILDREN SERVED AT THE COFFEE CREEK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. EARLY HEAD START PROMOTES INFANTS AND TODDLERS' PHYSICAL, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENS POSITIVE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS.TEACHING STRATEGIES GOLD, A RESEARCH-BASED ASSESSMENT ALIGNED WITH THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM, THE HEAD START EARLY LEARNING OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK, AND THE PROGRAM'S SCHOOL READINESS GOALS, IS USED TO MONITOR CHILD PROGRESS ACROSS DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAINS. ASSESSMENT DATA SHOW CHILDREN MADE SIGNIFICANT, MEASURABLE GAINS IN SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COGNITIVE REASONING, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY, FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS, AND EARLY MATH SKILLS.
- $10.4 million spent. UTILITY SUPPORTS PROGRAMS ENABLE FAMILIES TO STAY WARM, SAFE, AND HEALTHY IN THEIR HOMES WITH WATER, GARBAGE, HEAT, AND ELECTRICITY BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. ENERGY CONSERVATION HELPS FAMILIES REDUCE ENERGY BILLS BY ASSESSING HOME ENERGY USE, RECOMMENDING COST SAVING MEASURES AND CONNECTING WITH RESOURCES TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY.13,224 FAMILIES STAYED WARM, SAFE, AND HEALTHIER IN THEIR HOMES WITH WATER, GARBAGE, HEAT AND ELECTRICITY BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FROM COMMUNITY ACTION.148 FAMILIES HAD LOWER HEATING COSTS AND WARMER, SAFER, HEALTHIER HOMES BECAUSE COMMUNITY ACTION PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE WEATHERIZATION SERVICES.149 HOUSEHOLDS REDUCED ENERGY COSTS, IMPROVED HOME HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY BY RECEIVING ENERGY EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION SERVICES, EQUIPPING THEM WITH TOOLS TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND LOWER THEIR UTILITY EXPENSES.
- $5.7 million spent. THROUGH TARGETED GRANTS, WE PROVIDE LIFECHANGING PARENTING RESOURCES, EARLY CHILDHOOD SUPPORT, AND HOME VISITING SERVICES DESIGNED TO EMPOWER FAMILIES, PROMOTE CHILD RESILIENCE, AND REDUCE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES). OUR IMPACT: BUILDING A STRONGER, MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR FAMILIES. EVERY CHILD DESERVES A STRONG START, AND EVERY FAMILY DESERVES ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CARE AND SUPPORT. OUR WORK IS MORE THAN JUST TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - IT IS A TRANSFORMATIVE FORCE THAT UPLIFTS EDUCATORS, STRENGTHENS FAMILIES, AND CREATES A MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR ALL CHILDREN.EQUIPPING PARENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES: 1,544 NEW PARENTS RECEIVED EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDANCE ON EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT, GIVING THEM THE TOOLS TO FOSTER STRONG ATTACHMENT, HEALTHY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, AND LIFELONG RESILIENCE IN THEIR CHILDREN.IMPROVING MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH OUTCOMES: 217 PREGNANT WOMEN, MANY FACING BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE, WERE ENROLLED IN THE OREGON HEALTH PLAN AND 168 WOMEN WERE CONNECTED TO LIFESAVING PRENATAL CARE, ENSURING BOTH MOTHER AND BABY HAVE THE HEALTHIEST POSSIBLE START.PROTECTING CHILDREN AND PREVENTING TRAUMA: 99 AT-RISK FAMILIES RECEIVED INTENSIVE PARENTING SUPPORT FOCUSED ON PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, STRENGTHENING FAMILY BONDS, AND BUILDING SAFER HOME ENVIRONMENTS WHERE CHILDREN CAN THRIVE. 515 FAMILIES WERE REFERRED TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND NURSE HOME VISITING SERVICES.OUR CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL PROGRAM IS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE, EQUIPPING HOME AND CENTER BASED EARLY EDUCATORS WITH THE TOOLS, TRAINING, AND COACHING THEY NEED TO OFFER HIGH-QUALITY, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CARE. BY INVESTING IN EARLY EDUCATORS, WE ARE STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION OF CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, ENSURING THAT FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE NAVIGATING SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES, HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE, NURTURING, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CHILDCARE.RAISING THE BAR FOR CHILDCARE QUALITY: 1,575 EARLY EDUCATORS COMPLETED 22,927 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCING THEIR EXPERTISE IN TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, AND EQUITY-CENTERED TEACHING PRACTICES.EMPOWERING DIVERSE EDUCATORS: 291 EARLY EDUCATORS ENGAGED IN INTENSIVE, JOB-EMBEDDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MANY OF WHOM ARE MULTILINGUAL PROVIDERS, ENSURING THAT OREGON'S DIVERSE FAMILIES RECEIVE CARE THAT REFLECTS AND RESPECTS THEIR CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC BACKGROUNDS. THESE EARLY EDUCATORS RECEIVED 4,492 TECHNICAL VISITS.EXPANDING ACCESS FOR FAMILIES FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP: 88% OF THESE EDUCATORS SERVE CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES LIVING AT OR BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, HELPING CLOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS AND BREAK CYCLES OF POVERTY THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES. 120 NEW CHILDCARE PROGRAMS HAVE OPENED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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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