Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Long Island Cares Inc

EIN 11-2524512 · Hauppauge, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To bring together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry and food insecure on Long Island and, to the best of our ability, provide for the humanitarian needs of our community. Our goals are to improve food security for families, sponsor programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency, and educate the public about the root causes and consequences of hunger on Long Island.

Income
$40.6 million
Spending
$38.6 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
90
Volunteers
5,415
Highest pay
$301,471, former ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 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 (2)
  1. $33.2 million spent. The Harry Chapin Food Bank receives, warehouses, and distributes millions of pounds of purchased and donated food from various sources to its member agencies serving Nassau and Suffolk counties. The food bank serves more than 300 member agencies, Long Island Cares extends its reach through soup kitchens, group homes, and local nonprofits that share one goal; to feed and care for our neighbors in need.
  2. $2.4 million spent. LICs outreach programs provide food assistance and essential support directly to communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Services include mobile food pantries, disaster relief, homeless outreach and homebound deliveries. These programs reduce barriers to access and help combat food insecurity with compassion and flexibility. The organization also operates pantry locations in Freeport, Huntington Station, Lindenhurst, Bethpage, Valley Stream and Hampton Bays which provide food and community outreach services to their local communities. LIC supports children with food programs and youth engagement initiatives that fight childhood hunger. From mobile school pantries and after-school meals to weekend food packs, we ensure kids have access to nutrition all year long. We proudly support veterans through food assistance and personalized referrals. Programs like Military Appreciation Tuesdays and our mobile pantry help address food insecurity and ease the transition to civilian life. We work closely with veteran service agencies to ensure every veteran gets the care and resources they deserve. LIC advocates for hunger relief and food security through the Chapin Center for Public Policy, we mobilize communities and raise awareness of the root causes of hunger across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 June 1981.

    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 November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.