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Greater Chicago Food Depository

EIN 36-2971864 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY IS THE NONPROFIT FOOD BANK SERVING COOK COUNTY. OUR MISSION - IS TO END HUNGER. WE BELIEVE FOOD IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. TO ACHIEVE OUR MISSION, WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.

Income
$241.6 million
Spending
$243.2 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
351
Volunteers
36,967
Highest pay
$490,419, executive director and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $205.1 million spent. THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY PROVIDES EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS BY DISTRIBUTING FOOD THROUGH A NETWORK OF MORE THAN 800 FOOD PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS, SHELTERS AND PROGRAMS. THE FOOD DISTRIBUTED IS DONATED, PURCHASED OR RECEIVED FROM FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
  2. $14.7 million spent. THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY PROVIDES PROGRAMS TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER AMONG PRIORITY POPULATIONS INCLUDING CHILDREN, STUDENTS, OLDER ADULTS AND VETERANS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO WORKS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUNGER BY CREATING PATHWAYS TO THRIVING WAGE JOBS AND LOCAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER MEALS FOR CHILDREN, FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS, FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AT SCHOOLS, AND FEDERAL BENEFITS OUTREACH.
  3. $4.4 million spent. MOBILE RESPONSES REACH POPULATIONS THAT OFTEN DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE FOOD DEPOSITORY'S PRODUCE MOBILE DISTRIBUTES FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES IN HIGH-NEED COMMUNITIES, WHILE THE MOBILE PANTRY PROVIDES PRODUCE, PROTEIN AND SHELF-STABLE GROCERIES TO HUNGRY INDIVIDUALS ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS. THE FRESH TRUCK OFFERS PRODUCE TO FOOD INSECURE PATIENTS OF HEALTH CLINICS THROUGHOUT COOK COUNTY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 October 1978.

    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.