Chocolate Mint Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Chocolate MINT Foundation provides direct services to families and individual defined as low income, living in zip codes of concentrated poverty through our food pantry, senior meal program, children and youth mentoring, financial literacy programs, rental and utility assistance and through supportive services program, making a tangible impact on our community's food insecurity, education and financial disparities. We partner with individuals and families aspiring to overcome education, housing, and racial barriers by providing resources and training necessary to break the cycle of generational poverty and close the wealth gap.
- Income
- $935,695
- Spending
- $651,858
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 24 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 454
- Highest pay
- $19,352, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 24.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 60% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $356,137 spent. The MINT Food and Nutrition Program works to alleviate hunger, reduce poverty, and eliminate barriers to accessing healthy food for vulnerable families and individuals across our community. The program addresses food insecurity, improves nutritional intake, and enhances the quality of life for mobile seniors, home-bound individuals, disabled residents, and veterans who cannot easily access food resources. In 2024, with the support of 454 volunteers contributing 7,570 volunteer hours, The Chocolate MINT Foundation distributed 1,739,650 pounds of food, equal to 1,449,708 meals, to 6,342 food-insecure households. The program also served 25,125 ready-made meals to 119 seniors ages 60+, promoting independence and reducing isolation. During the Annual Turkey Basket Giveaway, TCMF distributed 1,317 complete turkey baskets to families who would otherwise not have holiday meals.
- $40 spent. The MINT Youth Education and Mentoring Programs aim to increase academic achievement and support the healthy development of children and youth ages 5-18. These programs expand academic learning beyond the school day, promote literacy and mathematics proficiency, and help identify environmental stressors that contribute to high-risk behaviors. TCMF provides mentoring, tutoring, and enrichment activities designed to strengthen self-esteem, increase social competence, and reduce engagement in problem behaviors. Youth also participate in financial literacy workshops focusing on budgeting, credit building, saving, and investing; nutrition and healthy lifestyle workshops to combat childhood obesity; and college and career readiness training to support long-term academic and employment success. In 2024, TCMF: Distributed 10,500 toys to 1,519 children ages 0-13 through the Annual Toy Giveaway. Provided school supplies, physicals, and educational resources to 750 school-aged children at the Annual Back-to-School Event. Reached 1,631 underserved youth through community outreach activities. Delivered financial literacy, nutrition/healthy lifestyle, and college & career readiness workshops to 10 youth ages 11-14. Provided mentoring and tutoring services to 50 children throughout the year.
- $202,562 spent. The MINT Financial Assistance and GROW Programs advocate for families facing eviction, housing instability, or financial crisis. Working collaboratively with local courts, landlords, and utility providers, the program helps households avoid homelessness, regain stability, and build long-term economic resilience. TCMF provides emergency rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to families with economic hardships, supporting those at risk of imminent eviction, utility disconnection, or homelessness. Program participants also receive financial coaching designed to improve credit scores, reduce debt-to-income ratios, increase savings, and build financial capability. In 2024, TCMF: Assisted 100 households in eviction proceedings, at risk of homelessness, or facing utility disconnection. Provided direct financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities to stabilize housing. Helped 10 families improve credit scores, reduce debt burdens, and increase personal savings through the GROW Financial Empowerment model.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.