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Freestore-Foodbank Inc

EIN 23-7122205 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IMPROVE LIVES BY ELIMINATING HUNGER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$87.6 million
Spending
$88.0 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
156
Volunteers
12,460
Highest pay
$392,076, ceo / 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: 38 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (2)
  1. $72.7 million spent. FREESTORE FOODBANK HAS SERVED OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED FOR 54 YEARS, STARTING IN CINCINNATI, OHIO AND EXPANDING TO A 20-COUNTY REGION IN OHIO, KENTUCKY AND INDIANA. THE MISSION OF FREESTORE FOODBANK IS TO IMPROVE LIVES BY ELIMINATING HUNGER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY. OUR VISION IS A HUNGER-FREE, HEALTHY, AND THRIVING COMMUNITY. TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION, OUR OBJECTIVES ARE TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS FOOD, CONNECT FAMILIES TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND ENSURE HOPE THROUGH PATHWAYS FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY INCLUDING PROGRAMS FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THE MAJORITY OF THE ORGANIZATION'S REVENUE COMES FROM FOOD AND PRODUCT DONATIONS (NON-CASH CONTRIBUTIONS). FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE OBTAINED TO SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITH THE GOAL OF ELIMINATING FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR REGION. FREESTORE FOODBANK SUPPLIED OVER 47 MILLION MEALS IN THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR, HELPING TO SERVE THE 250,000 FOOD INSECURE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR REGION (ACCORDING TO FEEDING AMERICA'S MAP THE MEAL GAP). A TRUSTED NETWORK OF MORE THAN 540 COMMUNITY PARTNERS HELPS FREESTORE FOODBANK TO DISTRIBUTE EMERGENCY FOOD AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES. MEMBER AGENCIES INCLUDE: SOUP KITCHENS, SHELTERS, FOOD PANTRIES, CHURCHES, DAYCARE CENTERS, SENIOR CENTERS, SCHOOL PROGRAM SITES AND OTHER COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. TOGETHER, WE CAN SOLVE HUNGER!
  2. $8.7 million spent. LOCATED IN CINCINNATI'S OVER-THE-RHINE NEIGHBORHOOD, FREESTORE FOODBANK'S CUSTOMER CONNECTION CENTER AND LIBERTY STREET MARKET SERVE AS VITAL RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORSINCLUDING INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, THE WORKING POOR, AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS. DURING THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR, LIBERTY STREET MARKET DISTRIBUTED EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE TO NEARLY 50,000 HOUSEHOLDS, HELPING ENSURE LOCAL FAMILIES HAD ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS MEALS.IN ADDITION, THE BEA TAYLOR MARKET ON ROSENTHAL WAY PROVIDES FRESH AND SHELF-STABLE FOOD OPTIONS, SUPPORTING MORE THAN 50,000 HOUSEHOLDS ANNUALLY. BEYOND ADDRESSING HUNGER, FREESTORE FOODBANK WORKS EVERY DAY TO PROMOTE STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH SERVICES SUCH AS HOUSING SUPPORT, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, CLOTHING RESOURCES, BENEFITS ENROLLMENT, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND JOB PLACEMENT

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 December 1971.

    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.