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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: August 2025 Expires: August 2027

ReFED

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
6 7 18
(312) 761-8169
122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1390-L74
Chicago, IL, 60603
https://refed.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

ReFED does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

ReFED does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

ReFED does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its effectiveness assessment performed in December 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.

ReFED does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://refed.org/, does not indicate:

  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.

ReFED meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to end food loss and waste across the United States food system."

Year, State Incorporated:
2018, DE

ReFED reports that it uses data-driven insights, strategic partnerships, and evidence-based solutions to help businesses, governments, funders, and nonprofits take action to reduce wasted food. The organization's principal program services focus on four core areas: data and insights, stakeholder engagement, business services, and capital and innovation. The data and insights program provides real-time analysis, modeling tools, and measurement frameworks to identify waste and prioritize solutions. Stakeholder and engagement program convenes leaders across the food system through summits, webinars, working groups, and regional forums to foster collaboration, education, and shared action. Business services offers technical assistance to food businesses and solution providers through custom roadmaps, pilot support, and benchmarking guidance. Capital and innovation seeks to mobilize capital to scale solutions by supporting investment readiness, connecting innovators with funders, and managing initiatives like the Food Waste Funder Circle.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, ReFED's program expenses were:

Capital and innovation $2,276,933
Data and insights $1,364,745
Business initiatives $1,085,070
Policy $295,922
Total Program Expenses $5,022,670

Chief Executive
Dana Gunders, President

Compensation*
$293,999

Chair of the Board
Pamela Murphy

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Philanthropist

Board Size
14

Paid Staff Size
29

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)

Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,686,022, 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 ReFED's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions $11,586,022
Conferences $661,133
Program service fees $121,686
In-kind contributions $100,000
Interest income $25,942
Total Income $12,468,841

Programs: 79% Fundraising: 8% Administrative: 13%

Total Income $12,468,841
Total expenses: $6,368,073
  Program expenses $5,022,670
  Fundraising expenses $489,399
  Administrative expenses $856,004
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $6,100,768
Beginning Net Assets $3,584,904
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $9,711,614
Total Liabilities $300,849
Total Assets $10,012,463

Note: According to ReFED's 2023 audited financial statements, the organization received $100,000 in donated consulting services. 

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

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance