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Top Rated

Feeding America

CharityWatch report issued
March 2020

Top-Rated Charity
B+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
79%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$26
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Feeding America
161 North Clark St.
Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60601

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2019

Program Percentage: 79%

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

$181,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $26

How many dollars Feeding America spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$113,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Feeding America IRS Form 990 36-3673599
Feeding America Audited Financial Statements 36-3673599
Entity: Feeding America
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 36-3673599
Entity: Feeding America
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 36-3673599

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.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Feeding America
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Feeding America
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 Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Diana Aviv Past CEO $695,045
2 Matthew Knott Past President $561,842
3 Paul Henrys Treasurer $412,105
1
Name: Diana Aviv
Title: Past CEO
Compensation: $695,045
2
Name: Matthew Knott
Title: Past President
Compensation: $561,842
3
Name: Paul Henrys
Title: Treasurer
Compensation: $412,105

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 Feeding America audit of June 30, 2019 (Note 2, Donated goods and services):

Feeding America received donated goods and services in fiscal 2019 on which it placed a total value of approximately $2,643,647,000, including approximately $2,643,198,000 in donated food and grocery products.

[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 Feeding America audit of June 30, 2019 (Note 11, Related-Party Transactions) [$s in thousands, as indicated]:

"For the years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, Feeding America recorded approximately $35,362 [thousand] and $24,158 [thousand], respectively, in cash and pledges and $1,279,626 [thousand] and $1,355,414 [thousand] in goods and services from companies that have representatives who are members of Feeding America's Board of Directors. ... Feeding America also distributes grants each year to member foodbanks, some of which have executives who are members of Feeding America's Board of Directors."

Feeding America also reports having $349,000 in net notes receivable due from member food banks at fiscal year end June 30, 2019. The lines of credit bear interest at the LIBOR three-month maturity rate, plus 2.00%.

According to the Feeding America audit of June 30, 2019 (Note 2, Donated media (unaudited)) [$s in thousands, as indicated]:

"Donated media is not recognized as in-kind contribution revenue in the financial statements due to uncertainties about estimated value as management of Feeding America is unable to validate the methodologies used. Feeding America's Public Service Announcement campaign in partnership with the Ad Council and various other donated media suppliers, received donated media support, mainly through radio, television, and outdoor channels, in estimated amounts totaling $30,879 [thousand] and $43,098 [thousand] for fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively, as estimated by the respective suppliers."

[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 Feeding America tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, Feeding America reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding severance payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 4A):

"Diana Aviv and John Vega both individually received severance payments during the [2018] calendar year. The payments are included in Part VII, Column D [Reportable compensation from the organization] and Schedule J, Part II, Column B-III [Other reportable compensation]. The terms and conditions of the confidential severance agreements are available to the Internal Revenue Service upon request."

The amounts Feeding America reports on Schedule J, Part II, Column B-III, Other reportable compensation, for Diana Aviv, former CEO, and John Vega, former VP of Philanthropy Operations, are $1,003,416 and $61,840, respectively.


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

"Feeding America may provide executives with lump-sum bonuses based on executive's performance against pre-established goals and the results of the organization. Bonuses are reviewed and approved by the executive compensation committee of the board.

"The indicia used in this performance-based compensation plan include revenue, pounds/meals provided, and other 'non-revenue' related goals and metrics of the organization that are linked to Feeding America's strategic and fiscal year business planning process."

Feeding America reports "Bonus & incentive compensation" payments to 16 individuals in calendar year 2018. The payments range from $151,233 to $7,268. Matthew Knott, President (until 5/2019), received the $151,233; his reported total compensation in 2018 is $561,842. The second highest payment is $41,366, received by Paul Henrys, Treasurer; his reported total compensation in 2018 is $412,105 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II).


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