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Fair Food Network

EIN 26-4143394 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FAIR FOOD NETWORK IS ORGANIZED TO GROW COMMUNITY HEALTH, WEALTH, AND RESILIENCE THROUGH FOOD, TO INCREASE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHY FOOD, HELP LOCAL FOOD ECONOMIES THRIVE AND BUILD RESILIENCE IN LOCAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS.

Income
$13.8 million
Spending
$13.9 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 71%
Employees
45
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$244,164, ceo

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: 77 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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 (3)
  1. $6.8 million spent. THE DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS (DUFB)PROGRAM ENCOURAGES SNAP (FOOD PAYMENT ASSISTANCE) RECIPIENTS TO PURCHASE HEALTHY, FRESH PRODUCE BY MATCHING THEIR SNAP EXPENDITURES UP TO $20 WITH TOKENS THAT CAN BE REDEEMED TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE. THE PROGRAM, WHICH LAUNCHED IN 2009, USES A MODEL THAT IS CENTRALLY ORGANIZED BUT LOCALLY IMPLEMENTED. IT IS NOW OPERATIONAL IN FARMERS MARKETS AND GROCERY STORES ACROSS MICHIGAN.
  2. $3.6 million spent. THE NUTRITION INCENTIVE HUB (HUB) THROUGH ITS COALITION OF PARTNERS SUPPORTS NUTRITION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, REPORTING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT TO HELP STRENGTHEN NUTRITION INCENTIVE AND PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROJECTS, AS THEY WORK TO INCREASE THE PURCHASE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES BY PROJECTS PARTICIPANTS.
  3. $1.7 million spent. FAIR FOOD INVESTMENT INITIATIVE IS A PROGRAM OF FAIR FOOD NETWORK THAT OPERATES IN CONJUNCTION WITH FAIR FOOD FUND. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED VIA GRANTS FROM FAIR FOOD NETWORK AND/OR EQUITY AND DEBT INSTURMENTS FROM FAIR FOOD FUND UNIQUELY STRUCTURED FOR EACH INVESTMENT. OTHER BUSINESS ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE TO SUPPORT THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF THE INVESTEES.

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 July 2009.

    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.