Community Action House Operating Reserve Fund
Community Action House
Since 1969, Community Action House (CAH) has led local action to provide food, clothing, shelter, and opportunity for our most marginalized neighbors. In the years since their founding, the organization has evolved in response to community trends and opportunities, refining and expanding their services to build a thriving community for all.
From the beginning, CAH has been proactive and strategic about its financial wellness. Nearly 30 years ago, the organization established two nonprofit funds at CFHZ – a permanent Endowment Fund, and a Board-Restricted Reserve Fund designed to provide regular access to the capital needed to update key organizational assets.
The Community Action House Endowment Fund helps sustain their mission by providing annual income. Using a balanced approach to the organization’s financial wellness, CAH relies upon annual fundraising efforts, earned income, and endowment income to support their daily work in the community.
In 2021, CAH opened its Food Club & Opportunity Hub. Since then, over 3,060 low-income families have accessed fresh, healthy food, been connected to other community resources, participated in financial wellness programming, or connected with advocates who helped them move into safe, stable housing.
During the capital campaign for the Food Club & Opportunity Hub, CAH focused on their Board-Restricted Reserve Fund. They worked with campaign donors to grow the fund and ensure it was sufficient to keep pace with the expanded level of capital renewal needs that would result from a much larger facility and fleet of vehicles.
In 2022, CAH once again partnered with CFHZ to establish a third fund – the Community Action House Operating Reserve Fund. This fund offers a level of flexibility that is vital both now and in the future. It could help the organization navigate unforeseen revenue changes like those experienced during the pandemic, or provide the financing needed to move quickly when presented with program and service opportunities.
“There are many investment options available,” said Scott Rumpsa, CEO of Community Action House. “We decided the Community Foundation’s track record with our original funds made them the clear choice to partner with for the Operating Reserve Fund. They not only steward assets well, but they’re a critical partner of ours, and of so many of our peers, in our shared commitment to a fully thriving community for all.”