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The Museum of Food and Drink

EIN 20-3735162 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MOFAD IS A NEW KIND OF MUSEUM THAT BRINGS THE WORLD OF FOOD TO LIFE WITH EXHIBITS YOU CAN TASTE, TOUCH, AND SMELL. WE INSPIRE PUBLIC CURIOSITY ABOUT FOOD, WHAT IT MEANS, AND HOW IT CONNECTS WITH THE WORLD AROUND US.

Income
$822,098
Spending
$694,550
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
-2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
11
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$120,000, president

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 78% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 141% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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 (1)
  1. $403,523 spent. MOFAD'S PUBLIC PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS A RANGE OF EVENT OFFERINGS INCLUDING PUBLIC SCHOOL TOURS, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS THEMED AROUND FOOD CULTURE, CHILDREN'S READING PROGRAMS, AND OUR EVENING PROGRAM SERIES. OUR EVENING PROGRAMMING ALLOWS MOFAD TO BOTH EXPAND ON THEMES RELATED TO OUR EXHIBITIONS BY BRINGING IN EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, FROM SCHOLARS, TO CHEFS, TO FARMERS AND FOOD POLICY EXPERTS AND GO BEYOND CURRENT EXHIBITIONS BY OFFERING IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS TO FURTHER EXPLORE THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF THE CULINARY LANDSCAPE WITH COOKBOOK AUTHORS, TASTING & DRINKING EXPERIENCES, AND EVEN THE OCCASIONAL FOOD-THEMED COMEDY HOUR TO EXPLORE FORGOTTEN FOOD NARRATIVES.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on September 15, 2011.

    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 September 2012.

    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.