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South Portland Food Cupboard

EIN 03-0550892 · S Portland, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak40 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION: THE FOOD CUPBOARD IS A NON-PROFIT, VOLUNTEER-BASED FOOD PANTRY DEDICATED TO ALLEVIATING HUNGER. THE CUPBOARD ORGANIZES VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THE ACQUISITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD TO HUNGRY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT SOUTH PORTLAND, CAPE ELIZABETH, SCARBOROUGH AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. OUR REACH TRULY EXTENDS THROUGHOUT CUMBERLAND AND YORK COUNTIES. OUR COMMANDMENTS: RESPECT THE FOOD, RESPECT THE RECIPIENTS, AND RESPECT EACH OTHER.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
7.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
4
Volunteers
230
Highest pay
$54,692, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE CUPBOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FEEDING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE LOCAL AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN NEED OF FOOD. RESPECT AND COMPASSION: WE TREAT ALL RECIPIENTS WITH DIGNITY, ENSURING EVERY INTERACTION IS ROOTED IN RESPECT AND KINDNESS. NOURISHMENT: WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EACH HOUSEHOLD WITH A WEEK'S WORTH OF NUTRITIOUS FOOD EVERY MONTH, PRIORITIZING THEIR WELL-BEING. COMMUNITY SUPPORT: WEOFFER GUIDANCE AND CONNECT RECIPIENTS TO VALUABLE RESOURCES, INCLUDING FOOD STAMPS, CLOTHING, AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT, TO EMPOWER THEM BEYOND FOOD ASSISTANCE. TOP PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025: -WE BOUGHT INTO A COMPUTER PLATFORM CALLED PANTRYSOFT WHICH ALLOWS RECIPIENTS TO SCHEDULE WHEN THEY WILL COME TO DO THEIR SHOPPING. IT HAS THE CAPACITY TO EVENTUALLY LOAD INVENTORY SO THAT RECIPIENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SHOP ONLINE THEN SCHEDULE COMING TO PICK UP THEIR ORDER. -WE BROUGHT ON A PART-TIME POSITION TO HELP WITH FUNDRAISING, SOCIAL MEDIA AND GRANT WRITING. -WE SIGNED THE LEASE FOR A NEWER BUILDOUT THAT BECAME OUR NEW FACILITY. THIS BUILDOUT IS NOT ONLY NEWER, FRESHER AND CLEANER, IT HAS DOUBLE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE PROVIDING GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS BROUGHT IN BY FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. -SEVERAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO INCLUDE A BENEFIT CONCERT, CARS AND COFFEE WHICH RUNS MONTHLY FOR MAY, JUNE, JULY, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER, A CAR SHOW IN AUGUST, A WINE TASTING WITH SILENT AUCTION, DONOR APPRECIATION AND OUR ANNUAL APPEAL. THE CUPBOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FEEDING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE LOCAL AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN NEED OF FOOD. RESPECT AND COMPASSION: WE TREAT ALL RECIPIENTS WITH DIGNITY, ENSURING EVERY INTERACTION IS ROOTED IN RESPECT AND KINDNESS. NOURISHMENT: WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EACH HOUSEHOLD WITH A WEEK'S WORTH OF NUTRITIOUS FOOD EVERY MONTH, PRIORITIZING THEIR WELL-BEING. COMMUNITY SUPPORT: WEOFFER GUIDANCE AND CONNECT RECIPIENTS TO VALUABLE RESOURCES, INCLUDING FOOD STAMPS, CLOTHING, AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT, TO EMPOWER THEM BEYOND FOOD ASSISTANCE. TOP PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025: -WE BOUGHT INTO A COMPUTER PLATFORM CALLED PANTRYSOFT WHICH ALLOWS RECIPIENTS TO SCHEDULE WHEN THEY WILL COME TO DO THEIR SHOPPING. IT HAS THE CAPACITY TO EVENTUALLY LOAD INVENTORY SO THAT RECIPIENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SHOP ONLINE THEN SCHEDULE COMING TO PICK UP THEIR ORDER. -WE BROUGHT ON A PART-TIME POSITION TO HELP WITH FUNDRAISING, SOCIAL MEDIA AND GRANT WRITING. -WE SIGNED THE LEASE FOR A NEWER BUILDOUT THAT BECAME OUR NEW FACILITY. THIS BUILDOUT IS NOT ONLY NEWER, FRESHER AND CLEANER, IT HAS DOUBLE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE PROVIDING GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS BROUGHT IN BY FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. -SEVERAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO INCLUDE A BENEFIT CONCERT, CARS AND COFFEE WHICH RUNS MONTHLY FOR MAY, JUNE, JULY, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER, A CAR SHOW IN AUGUST, A WINE TASTING WITH SILENT AUCTION, DONOR APPRECIATION AND OUR ANNUAL APPEAL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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