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Lawrence Meals on Wheels

EIN 23-7270167 · Lawrence, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LAWRENCE MEALS ON WHEELS' MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICE FOR THE AGED, CONVALESCENT AND/OR DISABLED RESIDING IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS, REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR OR CREED, IN ORDER TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR OWN HOMES AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.

Income
$380,378
Spending
$347,463
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
4
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$54,457, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    12 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $277,205 spent. LAWRENCE MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDES HOT NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO THE HOMEBOUND ELDERLY AND/OR DISABLED, WHO HAVE A SPECIAL DIETARY NEED AND ARE UNABLE TO PREPARE THEIR OWN MEALS. THE ORGANIZATION IS THE PROGRAM IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS THAT CAN PROVIDE SPECIALIZED DIETS SUCH AS DIABETIC, LOW FAT, AND RENAL TO THOSE OVER 60. WE ARE ALSO THE ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES HOME DELIVERED SPECIALIZED MEALS TO ANYONE UNDER 60 YEARS OF AGE. LAWRENCE MEALS ON WHEELS NOT ONLY DELIVERS MEALS WHICH ARE VITAL TO THE CLIENT'S HEALTH BUT ALSO IS A DAILY POINT OF CONTACT AND SOCIALIZATION THAT MANY MIGHT NOT HAVE OTHERWISE. CHECKING ON THEIR WELL-BEING GIVES THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS PEACE OF MIND. THE ORGANIZATION IS CURRENTLY AVERAGING 120-140 MEALS PER DAY BY DELIVERING 20 ROUTES MONDAY - FRIDAY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 October 1973.

    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.