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Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona

EIN 23-7157579 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MEAL DELIVERY - THIS IS A VOLUNTEER-BASED PROGRAM THAT PRESERVES THE HEALTH, DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF HOMEBOUND ADULTS BY DELIVERING MEDICALLY-TAILORED MEALS FIVE DAYS A WEEK. CLIENTS ARE ELIGIBLE IF THEY ARE HOMEBOUND, LIVE WITHIN MOBILE MEALS' SERVICE AREA, AND ARE UNABLE TO COOK OR SHOP FOR THEMSELVES. CLIENTS RECEIVE TWO MEALS A DAY, A LUNCH AND A DINNER, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. MOBILE MEALS OPENED ITS OWN KITCHEN AND HAS BEEN PREPARING THE MEALS INTERNALLY.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
21
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$122,576, ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    9 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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. $1.2 million spent. MOBILE MEALS OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA (MMSA) ENHANCES THE HEALTH, WELLBEING, AND INDEPENDENCE OF VULNERABLE ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN PIMA COUNTY BY PROVIDING HEALTHY AND MEDICALLY TAILORED MEALS, AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION. THROUGH WEEKDAY MEAL DELIVERY, CARING VOLUNTEERS ENSURE CLIENTS WHO CANNOT COOK OR SHOP FOR THEMSELVES RECEIVE ESSENTIAL NOURISHMENT AND REGULAR WELLNESS CHECKS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, 199 MMSA VOLUNTEERS DELIVERED 90,000 MEALS TO 796 CLIENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 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 7, 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.