Redwood Community Action Agency
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose of redwood community action agency is to mobilize and coordinate antipoverty resources within Humboldt county, California and to preserve land for scenic, educational and open space opportunities.
- Income
- $12.4 million
- Spending
- $12.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 99%
- Employees
- 147
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $199,056, executive director
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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 93% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 41% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
- $2.0 million spent. The Community Services Division- Provides oral health education to children and adults countywide through the tooth program; emergency/transitional shelter to families who are homeless with referrals from child welfare services through adult and family services; 10 affect AmeriCorps members at family/community resource centers to strengthen Humboldt county communities and families with parenting lessons, local resources and case management services to help prevent child abuse; financial literacy education that supports client independence and self-sufficiency; case management services for clients transitioning from substance use disorder treatment and rehabilitation. Community services is continually challenging itself to develop and refine strategies that assist families and individuals to move from crisis into stability and building personal assets. RCAA provides continued and targeted support for the development of healthy, stable, thriving community members and along all points of the continuum of care. Community services is committed to identifying any gaps and Providing services and support where necessary.
- $5.9 million spent. Natural Resources Services (NRS) is committed to working with private landowners, government agencies, timber and fisheries industries, tribes, and community-based groups to promote healthy communities and healthy watersheds. -Watershed services - works with diverse landowners to restore local watersheds, protect water quality, and promote informed communities. In the last three decades, NRS' Watershed Program has designed and implemented several hundred fisheries enhancement, water quality improvement, riparian and wetland restoration, erosion and sediment control, urban stream, and educational projects on the north coast to improve conditions for fish, wildlife, and people. -Active living - fosters local and regional partnerships to cultivate a stronger focus for healthy community design, local food security and community empowerment. NRS' Active Living Program plans and implements projects to support local jurisdictions, residents and grassroots organizations in efforts around the built environment, trails, community gardens, and outreach and education.
- $2.0 million spent. The Energy and Environmental Services Division is committed to assisting low to moderate income households reduce their energy burden, improve the health and safety conditions of occupied housing and to foster client self-sufficiency. In support of these goals, we provide the following services in Humboldt County: energy efficiency retrofits, health and safety repairs, utility and energy assistance, client education & advocacy, and other services to people in need.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 December 1981.
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 November 4, 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.