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Mollen Foundation for Childhood Obesity

EIN 26-2907296 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MOLLEN FOUNDATION, A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT, GUIDES FARMERS, SCHOOLS, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO NOURISH A REGENERATIVE FUTURE. OUR REGENERATIVE SCHOOLS APPROACH FOSTERS LIFELONG WELL-BEING THROUGH FARM-TO-SCHOOL INTEGRATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SCHOOL GARDENS,... THE MOLLEN FOUNDATION, A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT, GUIDES FARMERS, SCHOOLS, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO NOURISH A REGENERATIVE FUTURE. OUR REGENERATIVE SCHOOLS APPROACH FOSTERS LIFELONG WELL-BEING THROUGH FARM-TO-SCHOOL INTEGRATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SCHOOL GARDENS, OUTDOOR AND INDOOR LEARNING IN CLASSROOMS, AND DEEP CONNECTIONS TO NATURE, SUPPORTING HOLISTIC HEALTH FOR HUMANS AND THE MORE-THAN-HUMANS THEY RELY UPON.

Income
$344,189
Spending
$342,144
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
4
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$25,556, 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 42 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $137,755 spent. ARIZONA FARM TO SCHOOL COLLABORATIVE:OUR YEAR-LONG PROGRAM HELPS SCHOOL TEAMS TRANSFORM FOOD SYSTEMS THROUGH REGENERATIVE PRACTICES. TEAMS CREATE ACTION PLANS AT A THREE-DAY RETREAT AND RECEIVE YEAR-LONG COACHING SUPPORT TO BRING THEM TO LIFE, CULTIVATING LEADERS DEDICATED TO A THRIVING PLANET.REGENERATIVE SCHOOLS PROGRAM:WE TRAIN TEACHERS, SCHOOLS, AND DISTRICTS TO BRING REGENERATIVE SCHOOLS TO LIFE THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ADVISING, CONSULTING, AND GRANT-WRITING SUPPORT. BY FOSTERING PRACTICES THAT ENHANCE SOIL HEALTH, BIODIVERSITY, AND ECOLOGICAL BALANCE, WE HELP CREATE THRIVING SPACES THAT INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP AND CONNECTION TO NATURE.THE ARIZONA FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK:WE CONVENE THE ARIZONA FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK TO BUILD COMMUNITY, FOSTER CONNECTIONS, AND AMPLIFY FARM-TO-SCHOOL WORK STATEWIDE. THE NETWORK STRENGTHENS LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS, STUDENT HEALTH, AND FARMER SUCCESS.GARFIELD'S GARDEN ON THE CORNERAT GARFIELD'S GARDEN ON THE CORNER, WE LED THE TRANSFORMATION OF A CONCRETE SCHOOLYARD INTO A FLOURISHING GARDEN, EMPOWERING YOUTH WITH HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT CULTIVATE STEWARDSHIP, CONNECTION, AND A RESILIENT FUTURE. GARFIELD'S GARDEN ON THE CORNER IS THE FLAGSHIP SITE FOR MOLLEN FOUNDATION. IN ADDITION TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, IT SERVES AS A TRAINING SITE FOR TEACHERS AND OFFERS TOURS FOR VISITORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS A MODEL FOR FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
  2. $111,519 spent. PHOENIX 10K AND HALF-MARATHON: THIS IS THE RACE THAT STARTED IT ALL, BRINGING THE CITY OF PHOENIX TO ITS FEET BACK IN 1976. FOUNDED BY DR. ART MOLLEN, WHO'S VISION BROUGHT OUR GROWING, VIBRANT CITY TOGETHER WITH A SPORT STILL IN ITS INFANCY. IT SET THE CHARGE USED TO IGNITE THE RUNNING BOOM IN ARIZONA. OVER THE YEARS, THE RACE HAS HOSTED OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS, AMERICAN RECORD HOLDERS AND MORE FIRST TIME RACE PARTICIPANTS THAN ANY OTHER EVENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES. THE PHOENIX 10K AND HALF MARATHON BRINGS APPROXIMATELY 5000 PARTICIPANTS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY HEALTH.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 March 2010.

    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.