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Meals on Wheels America (National Office)

CharityWatch report issued
April 2024

B-
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
67%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$24
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Meals on Wheels America (National Office)
1550 Crystal Drive
Suite 1004
Arlington, VA 22202

Other Names

Meals on Wheels Association of America

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To empower local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2022

Program Percentage: 67%

The percentage of Meals on Wheels America (National Office)'s cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$19,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $24

How many dollars Meals on Wheels America (National Office) spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$17,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Meals on Wheels America Audited Financial Statements 23-7447812
Meals on Wheels America IRS Form 990 23-7447812
Entity: Meals on Wheels America
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 23-7447812
Entity: Meals on Wheels America
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 23-7447812

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
Meals on Wheels America (National Office)
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Meals on Wheels America (National Office)
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy No Sharing  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Ellie Hollander President / CEO $493,814
2 Robert Herbolsheimer Chief Legal & Compliance Officer $263,414
3 Lucy Theilheimer Chief Strategy & Impact Officer $261,943
1
Name: Ellie Hollander
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $493,814
2
Name: Robert Herbolsheimer
Title: Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
Compensation: $263,414
3
Name: Lucy Theilheimer
Title: Chief Strategy & Impact Officer
Compensation: $261,943

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Meals on Wheels America (MOWA) 2022 tax filing, MOWA reports receiving in-kind donations of gift cards on which it placed a value of $1,225,425 (IRS Form 990, Schedule M). In addition, MOWA reports receiving in-kind donations of product vouchers on which it placed a value of $402,325 (Audited Financial Statements, Audit Note 7). Lastly, MOWA reports receiving donated services and use of facilities in 2022 on which it placed a value of $11,560,680 (IRS Form 990, Schedule D, Part XI).

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Meals on Wheels America (MOWA) tax filing for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, MOWA reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding non-fixed payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 7):

"During the year ended December 31, 2022, the President/CEO received a discretionary bonus as approved by the Board of Directors. All other officers, key employees and highest compensated employees received a discretionary bonus as approved by the President/CEO, and endorsed by the Board of Directors."

MOWA reports providing "bonus & incentive compensation" during 2022 to eight individuals. Ellie Hollander, President & CEO, received $60,000 of bonus and incentive compensation, with a total reported compensation of $493,814. The remaining seven individuals received $3,000 to $7,000 with total compensation ranging from $200,515 to $263,414. 

According to the Meals on Wheels America audit of December 31, 2022 (Note 8, Commitments and Risks, Hotel Agreements):

"The Organization has entered agreements with hotels which will provide room accommodations for its 2023, 2024, and 2025 Annual Conferences and Expos. These agreements contain clauses whereby the Organization is liable for liquidated damages in the event of cancellation. The potential liquidated damages increase, as the actual date of the annual conference approaches. The maximum possible amount of liquidated damages as of December 31, 2022, was approximately $460,000. 

According to the Meals on Wheels America audit of December 31, 2022 (Note 8, Commitments and Risks, Employment Agreement):

"During 2013, the Organization entered into an employment contract with the Executive Director that documents the terms and conditions of employment. Under the terms of the contract, should the Organization terminate the Executive Director's employment without cause, the Organization would be obligated to make a separation payment equal to the Executive Director's annual base salary, and would be obligated to pay certain benefits for a period of six months from the Executive Director's termination date."