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Community Action Marin

EIN 94-6136365 · Novato, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE IN MARIN TO ACHIEVE WELL-BEING BY PROVIDING THE VITAL SERVICES THEY NEED. TOGETHER, WE BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS THAT GET IN THE WAY OF FAIR AND LASTING CHANGE IN SERVICE TO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ALL.

Income
$32.9 million
Spending
$33.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
288
Volunteers
77
Highest pay
$361,737, ceo

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: 43 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 61% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 25

    12 of 12 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 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 (7)
  1. $17.1 million spent. CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES: COMMUNITY ACTION MARIN HAS PROVIDED HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO THE FAMILIES OF MARIN FOR OVER 30 YEARS USING FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL SOURCES FROM GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE FUNDERS. CAM IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF FREE AND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE IN THE COUNTY, SERVING FAMILIES OF LOW INCOME FROM MARIN CITY, NOVATO, AND SAN RAFAEL TO WEST MARIN. STAFF ENSURE THAT CHILDREN FROM INFANCY TO SCHOOL-AGE DO WELL IN SCHOOL AND LIFE BY GIVING THEM A SAFE AND HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION. SUCCESS COACHES ACROSS THE AGENCY SUPPORT A COMPREHENSIVE WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH TO WELL-BEING.
  2. $3.1 million spent. SAFETY NET SERVICES: COMMUNITY ACTION MARIN OFFERS ONE-TIME EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR CLIENTS WHO NEED HELP WITH RENT OR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, RENTAL DEPOSITS AND, IN LIMITED CASES, EMERGENCY CAR REPAIRS, DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, OR OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS. OUR SAFETY NET SERVICES HELP TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF CRISIS. THIS SERVICE IS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN THE HOME, VETERANS, VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SENIORS, OR DISABLED ADULTS. THE AGENCY IS ALSO THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FEDERALLY-FUNDED LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP). REACHING OVER 600 HOUSEHOLDS LAST YEAR, CAM'S LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ENSURES THAT FAMILIES GET ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITY PAYMENTS, WOOD AND PROPANE HOME ENERGY COSTS. OUR SERVICES HAVE EXPANDED TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY DETENTION, PROVIDING ONE-TIME EMERGENCY CASH ASSISTANCE.
  3. $6.1 million spent. HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START: COMMUNITY ACTION MARIN IS THE COUNTY'S HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START GRANT RECIPIENT, ENSURING THAT CHILDREN AGES 0-5 FROM INCOME-ELIGIBLE FAMILIES GET HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT WITH HEALTH, NUTRITION, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT. WE ENSURE FAMILY WELL-BEING, POSITIVE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND HELP TO NURTURE PARENT CONNECTIONS SO THAT FAMILIES ARE SUCCESSFUL, PEOPLE ARE LIFE-LONG LEARNERS, AND COMMUNITY IS STRONGER.
  4. $952,213 spent. FOOD AND CLIMATE JUSTICE: THE AGENCY'S CENTRAL KITCHEN PREPARES DAILY BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND SNACK FOR OVER 500 CHILDREN IN OUR CARE. WE USE FRESH INGREDIENTS GROWN IN OUR PRODUCTION FARM AND SCHOOL GARDENS. EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT CAM HELP TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING, WITH OUR APPETITE FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE FOSTERING PARENT ENGAGEMENT, CULTURALLY-APPROPRIATE FOOD, AND PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLES. THE KITCHEN ALSO PROVIDES A VITAL SPACE FOR SELECT LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ENTREPRENEURS TO OPERATE AND GROW SMALL FOOD SERVICE BUSINESSES.
  5. $904,416 spent. ECONOMIC JUSTICE: OUR AGENCY PROMOTES PROSPERITY AND HOPE THROUGH A POWERFUL SET OF COACHING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. BILINGUAL AND BICULTURAL COACHES PARTNER WITH CLIENTS FOR HOUSEHOLD BUDGETING, REBUILDING CREDIT, MANAGING DEBT, NAVIGATING HOUSING, OR GETTING TRAINED FOR A NEW CAREER, HELPING PEOPLE TO PUT DREAMS WITHIN REACH. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ALSO PROVIDED OVER 275 PEOPLE WITH FREE TAX ASSISTANCE. WORKFORCE INITIATIVES INCLUDE PEER SPECIALIST TRAINING AND THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS STATE-APPROVED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, AMONG OTHERS.
  6. $679,830 spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES: THE AGENCY'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDE OUTREACH, PEER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AND PEER-LED SUPPORT FOR UNHOUSED TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH AND ADULTS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO TEACHING, EMPOWERING, AND ADVOCATING FOR OUR CLIENTS TO RECOVER IN COMMUNITY.
  7. $1.0 million spent. HOUSING JUSTICE: COMMUNITY ACTION MARIN PROVIDES OUTREACH AND HOUSING STABILITY COUNTY-WIDE. STAFF OFFER HOUSING-BASED CASE MANAGEMENT, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND EVICTION RESOURCES FOR ADULTS AND TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. ADVOCACY EFFORTS FOCUS ON TENANT PROTECTIONS, HOUSING PRESERVATION AND PRODUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

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

  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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 1971.

    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 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.