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Meeting Essential Needs With Dignity Inc

EIN 27-1105051 · Maplewood, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MEETING ESSENTIAL NEEDS WITH DIGNITY (MEND) is a hunger relief network in Essex County, NJ, that works to advance health equity and influence systems-level change through collaborative, community-driven, responsive programming. Its mission is to strengthen community health by increasing access to fresh and healthy food. MEND envisions a community in which everyone has access to nutritious food and the ability to achieve their optimal health. MEND values Community, Diversity, Collaboration,and Dignity.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
14
Volunteers
247
Highest pay
$84,502, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $1.1 million spent. PANTRY PARTNERSHIPS: MEND REGULARLY CONVENES LEADERS FROM OVER 20 ESSEX COUNTY-BASED FOOD PANTRIES, AND PROVIDES SUPPORT VIA ADVOCACY AND RESOURCE SHARING, SUPPLEMENTAL FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD, AND VOLUNTEERS.
  2. $1.0 million spent. MEND ON THE MOVE: MEND REDUCES BARRIERS TO ACCESSING NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN FOOD DESERT COMMUNITIES BY BRINGING FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD DIRECTLY AND CONSISTENTLY TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST, PRIMARILY THROUGH HOME DELIVERIES AND MOBILE MARKETS.
  3. $120,293 spent. Food & Health Equity Coalition. The Food & Health Equity Coalition of Essex County, NJ (FHEC) is a collaboration of 90+ organizations recognizing food insecurity as a key social determinant of health and working together across sectors and with communities to advance health equity and achieve collective impact. Officially launched in February 2024, MEND is the backbone organization for this collaborative.

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 April 2010.

    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.