FoodCorps
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
FoodCorps does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
FoodCorps does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held one meeting during the year ended July 31, 2025.
Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
FoodCorps does not meet this Standard because:
- Two members out of the 11 member board of directors (18%) are directly compensated.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
FoodCorps does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
FoodCorps does not meet this Standard because the 2023-2024 annual report did not include:
- A financial summary matching the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2024.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
FoodCorps does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://foodcorps.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- Electronic access to the organization’s IRS Form 990 for the year ended July 31, 2024.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
FoodCorps does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://foodcorps.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 6, 7, 15
FoodCorps meets the remaining 11 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to advance children's health, education, and well-being through food in school."
Year, State Incorporated:
2010, NY
FoodCorps reports that it partners with students, families, and communities to champion nourishing food at local, state, and national levels. The organization's AmeriCorps members support school leaders in providing nutritious meals, locally-informed food education, and welcoming school environments that set kids up for positive, vibrant relationships with food. FoodCorps service members receive nearly four weeks of training and ongoing professional development opportunities on a variety of topics, including social and emotional learning, hands-on learning approaches, building healthy communities, cultural sensitivity awareness, restorative justice practices, community asset mapping, and strategic partnerships. The organization also advocates for policy change through local, state, and national government to improve health food education and access. In 2023-2024, FoodCorps reports it reached 528,943 students, taught 19,776 hands-on lessons in 220 schools and districts through 162 AmeriCorps members across 16 states and Washington, DC.
For the year ended July 31, 2024, FoodCorps's program expenses were:
| Program services | $19,005,130 |
| Total Program Expenses | $19,005,130 |
Chief Executive
Curtis Ellis, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$295,226
Chair of the Board
John Gomperts
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Executive Fellow, Campaign for Grade Level Reading
Board Size
11
Paid Staff Size
110
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Former President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Harvey was the highest paid employee with total compensation of $299,589 for the year ended July 31, 2024.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 20% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $20,095,221, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on FoodCorps's audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and grants | $14,067,048 |
| Government grants | $5,931,322 |
| Program service revenue | $2,242,956 |
| Investment income, net | $1,664,818 |
| Royalty fees | $250,000 |
| In-kind contributions | $96,851 |
| Other income | $20,122 |
| Total Income | $24,273,117 |
Programs: 74% Fundraising: 15% Administrative: 11%
| Total Income | $24,273,117 |
| Total expenses: | $25,795,234 |
| Program expenses | $19,005,130 |
| Fundraising expenses | $3,980,193 |
| Administrative expenses | $2,809,911 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-1,522,117 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $34,815,537 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $33,293,420 |
| Total Liabilities | $2,353,684 |
| Total Assets | $35,647,104 |
Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2024, FoodCorps received in-kind contributions totaling $96,851 in the form of training and staff development and professional fees.
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance