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Food Bank of the State College Area Inc

EIN 25-1769950 · State College, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FOOD SECURITY, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY, TO PEOPLE IN CENTRE COUNTY.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
13.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
5
Volunteers
160
Highest pay
$84,685, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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

    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 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. $1.7 million spent. CLIENTS MAY UTILIZE SERVICES MONTHLY WITH A MINIMUM OF THIRTY DAYS BETWEEN VISITS. ALL CLIENTS MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF RESIDENCY FOR ALL ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHO RESIDE IN A HOUSEHOLD, HAVE A REFERRAL FROM ONE OF THE STATE COLLEGE FOOD BANK DESIGNATED PARTNERS OR DIRECTLY FROM A STATE COLLEGE FOOD BANK STAFF MEMBER, AND SIGN A "SELF-DECLARATION OF NEED" FORM. "WALK-IN" CLIENTS MAY RECEIVE A ONE-TIME DISTRIBUTION BUT MUST MEET WITH ONE OF THE FOOD BANK DESIGNATED PARTNERS AND HAVE A WRITTEN REFERRAL BEFORE THEY RETURN.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.CLIENTS RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY A 7-14 DAY SUPPLY OF GROCERIES. THE SIZE OF THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION CORRESPONDS TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD. IN ADDITION TO NON-PERISHABLE FOODS, GROCERY ORDERS INCLUDE MILK, EGGS, BREAD AND FROZEN MEAT. THE STATE COLLEGE FOOD BANK ALSO INDIRECTLY HELPS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY. THIS IS DONE VIA GIVING SUPPORT TO OTHER COUNTY FOOD PANTRIES AND DISTRIBUTIONS, SPONSORING AND MAINTAINING THE HELPING HANDS PANTRY WITH STATE COLLEGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, HELPING MAINTAIN THE 24-HOUR EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY AT CENTRE HELPS, SUPPORTING PENN STATE UNIVERSITY'S ON-CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY AS REQUESTED, AND HELPING OTHER AGENCIES WITH FOOD NEEDS.

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 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 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 1995.

    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.