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Citymeals-On-Wheels

EIN 13-3634381 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CITYMEALS-ON-WHEELS PROVIDES A CONTINUOUS LIFELINE OF NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND HUMAN COMPANY TO HOMEBOUND ELDERLY NEW YORKERS, HELPING THEM LIVE WITH DIGNITY IN THEIR OWN FAMILIAR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. 100% OF ALL PUBLIC DONATIONS ARE USED FOR THE PREPARATION AND DELIVERY OF MEALS.

Income
$33.3 million
Spending
$34.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
23.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
44
Volunteers
16,189
Highest pay
$436,200, chief executive officer

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    48 of 48 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 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 (10)
  1. $16.1 million spent. WEEKEND HOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM SERVED 1,417,451 MEALS. CITYMEALS PROVIDES FUNDING TO 26 MEAL CENTERS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY THAT PREPARE, PACKAGE, AND DELIVER NUTRITIOUS MEALS FOR EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY TO HOMEBOUND ELDERLY WHO DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO SHOP AND PREPARE ADEQUATE FOOD. GOVERNMENT FUNDING IS ONLY AVAILABLE DURING NON-HOLIDAY WEEKDAYS, 250 DAYS A YEAR. THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR MEALS ON THE WEEKENDS.
  2. $4.1 million spent. THE BREAKFAST BOX IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 30 MEALS, INCLUDING SHELF STABLE AND FROZEN FOOD, AND EIGHT POUNDS OF PRODUCE, PROCURED, PACKAGED, AND DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS BY THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER MONTHLY. DELIVERED 381,480 MEALS.
  3. $3.2 million spent. THE EMERGENCY FOOD PACKAGES PROGRAM SERVED 250,146 MEALS. IN TIME FOR THE COLD WEATHER, CITYMEALS DISTRIBUTES TO EACH ELDERLY MEAL RECIPIENT (22,000) TWO EFP BOXES (CONTAINING 4 MEALS EACH) OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD TO ENSURE THE ELDERLY ARE PREPARED AND STOCKED FOR WINTER OR OTHER EMERGENCIES WHEN THE CLIENT'S REGULAR DELIVERIES MIGHT BE DELAYED. CITYMEALS DELIVERED 157,444 EMERGENCY PACKAGES TO CURRENT MEAL RECIPIENTS AND DELIVERED 92,702 3-7 MEALS OF EXTRA EMERGENCY BAGS.
  4. $740,398 spent. THE HOLIDAY FOOD PACKAGE PROGRAM SERVED 68,521 MEALS. CITYMEALS PROVIDES FOOD FOR HOMEBOUND ELDERLY NEW YORKERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR RELIGIOUS OR NATIONAL HOLIDAYS WHEN THE LOCAL MEALS CENTERS ARE CLOSED. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES 1-8 SHELF-STABLE MEALS DELIVERING 47,374 BOXES.
  5. $616,757 spent. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORT OLDER ADULTS AT CONGREGATE SITES (OLDER ADULT CENTERS) AND HOME-DELIVERED MEALS RECIPIENTS WITH ADDITIONAL FOOD AND MUSIC TO HELP WITH NUTRITION AND SOCIALIZATION.
  6. $426,070 spent. ON SPECIAL HOLIDAYS, DETERMINED BY MEAL CENTERS, HOT NUTRITIOUS AND FESTIVE HOLIDAY MEALS ARE PREPARED AND DELIVERED TO HOMEBOUND ELDERLY THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF NEW YORK. HOLIDAYS INCLUDE INDEPENDENCE DAY, THANKSGIVING, HANUKKAH, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR'S DAY, LUNAR NEW YEAR AND MOTHER'S DAY.
  7. $486,212 spent. THE MAJORITY OF CITYMEALS' RECIPIENTS SUBSIST ON LOW INCOMES. ABOUT 14% REPORT TRYING TO STRETCH THE ONE DAILY MEAL THEY RECEIVE TO LAST UNTIL THE NEXT DELIVERY. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR MEALS RECIPIENTS LIVING IN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE FOOD AND HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY. CITYMEALS PROVIDES SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD DELIVERIES TO HOMEBOUND ELDERLY WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEED FOR EXTRA FOOD TO MAINTAIN THEIR STRENGTH.
  8. $726,786 spent. CITYMEALS-ON-WHEELS BEGAN ITS FRESH FRUIT AND PRODUCE PILOT PROGRAM WITH HOMEBOUND CLIENTS, MOSTLY POOR MINORITIES RESIDING IN PUBLIC HOUSING IN EAST HARLEM. THESE MEAL RECIPIENTS RECEIVE FRESH FRUITS AND PRODUCE ALONG WITH THEIR REGULAR DAILY DELIVERED MEALS. THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED FOR CLIENTS WHO LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT LACK GOOD ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE AND HEALTHY FRESH FRUITS. THE PROGRAM NOW SERVES CLIENTS IN EAST HARLEM AND QUEENS. SUPPLEMENTAL MEALS DELIVERED 78,259.
  9. $413,853 spent. CITYMEALS STARTED THE WHOLESALE PILOT IN SEPTEMBER 2022. IN FY25, THE PROGRAM SOLD 46,0458 READY-TO-EAT MEALS FROM THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER WITH PROCEEDS GOING TO CONTINUE THE MISSION OF CITYMEALS OF MEETING THE GROWING NEEDS AS THE OLDER ADULT POPULATION INCREASES BEYOND ALL THE OTHER AGE GROUPS.
  10. $36,925 spent. A PROGRAM CREATED TO SUPPORT NON-FOOD NECESSITIES, LIKE CARING CASES AND SMALL EQUIPMENT FOR FOOD PREPARATION AND DELIVERY TO THE MEAL PROVIDERS.

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 February 1992.

    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.

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.