East End Food Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
East End Food is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support, promote and advocate for farmers and producers, while ensuring everyone in the community can enjoy and be nourished by local food. We envision the East End of Long Island, NY as a place where all farms and food businesses are thriving and supported by an engaged community whose members understand the benefits and uniqueness of local food.
- Income
- $965,247
- Spending
- $799,245
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -37.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 36
- Highest pay
- $51,649, executive dir.
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
Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 77% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $598,406 spent. Kitchen: East End Food has grown to fulfill a true need in the local food community, working with farms to create new distribution channels for surplus produce. When a farm becomes a Business Member with East End Food, they gain access to a comprehensive suite of services and support, including assistance in packaging and label requirements, connecting with new buyers and expanding distribution networks. Through our membership, farms can effectively scale their operations, increase their revenue streams and contribute to the sustainable growth of the local agriculture economy.MARKET: East End Food serves as a catalyst for small-scale food entrepreneurs looking to start and grow their businesses. Our shared community kitchen offers a licensed space for producers to make their goods, and our in-person and virtual farmers markets provide important platforms to bring their products to the community. When food producers become Business Members with East End Food, they gain access to a wide range of resources and support, including licensing, packaging, and distribution logistics, paving the way for long-term success within the local food industry and beyond.G&A: East End Food believes good, local food is for everyone. Through our farm to community, farm to school and farmers market programs, we strive to ensure that individuals of all backgrounds and income levels have the opportunity to enjoy fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced food. There are so many ways to get involved with our work. Donate to support our programs, volunteer to help keep our operations running smoothly and shop our in-person and virtual markets to empower local farm, food and craft businesses. Together, we can create a thriving and equitable food system.
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 December 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.