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Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley Inc

EIN 39-1974516 · Appleton, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING FREE NUTRITIOUS EVENING MEALS TO ANYONE IN NEED, IN A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$285,201
Spending
$252,140
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
20.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
6
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$62,364, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (1)
  1. $201,248 spent. LOAVES & FISHES OF THE FOX VALLEY OPERATES A COMMUNITY MEAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE, NUTRITIOUS EVENING MEALS TO ANYONE IN NEED WITHIN THE FOX VALLEY REGION. DURING THE REPORTING YEAR, THE PROGRAM SERVED 15,389 MEALS, REFLECTING ITS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING SENIORS, LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, VETERANS, AND OTHERS FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP. MEALS ARE OFFERED THREE EVENINGS PER WEEK - MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS FROM 5:00-6:00 P.M. - AND ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH BOTH EAT-IN AND TAKE-OUT SERVICE, ENSURING FLEXIBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL GUESTS. THE PROGRAM MAINTAINS A SAFE, CARING, AND (SEE SCHEDULE O)INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OF WELCOMING ALL WHO SEEK ASSISTANCE. PROGRAM DELIVERY RELIES ON A COMBINATION OF STAFF OVERSIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 200 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS, DONATED FOOD, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT MEAL PREPARATION AND SERVICE, HELPING THE ORGANIZATION SERVE AN AVERAGE OF 90-110 INDIVIDUALS PER MEAL NIGHT. THIS MODEL ENABLES THE ORGANIZATION TO MAXIMIZE COMMUNITY IMPACT WHILE MAINTAINING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION HELPS ALLEVIATE HUNGER, SUPPORTS GUESTS IN STRETCHING LIMITED FOOD BUDGETS, AND CONTRIBUTES POSITIVELY TO COMMUNITY HEALTH BY ENSURING RELIABLE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS MEALS IN A RESPECTFUL AND SUPPORTIVE SETTING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.