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Least of These Inc

EIN 43-1867039 · Ozark, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ALLEVIATE FOOD INSECURITY IN CHRISTIAN COUNTY BY PROVIDING FOOD, RESOURCES, AND EDUCATION TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
9
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$102,088, executive director

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 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 (2)
  1. $5.1 million spent. MONTHLY OVER 1,200 CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MO FAMILIES VISIT LOT FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE FOOD INSECURE. THEY MUST CHOOSE TO EITHER PAY FOR FOOD OR PAY THEIR RENT, UTILITIES, OR MEDICATION. IN FY25, LOT SERVED 13,721 CHRISTIAN COUNTY FAMILIES WHILE DISTRIBUTING MORE THAN 2 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD AND FEEDING 40,250 MOUTHS. AS FUNDING FOR OTHER SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS IS CUT OR ELIMINATED, THE NUMBER OF THOSE SEEKING FOOD ASSISTANCE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO RISE. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
  2. LEAST OF THESE, INC. (LOT) IS THE ONLY FULL-SERVICE FOOD PANTRY SERVING CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI. WITH 36% OF FOOD-INSECURE CHRISTIAN COUNTY RESIDENTS NOW LIVING BELOW THE SNAP THRESHOLD ACCORDING TO FEEDING AMERICA, THE INCREASE IN THOSE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET HAS FAR OUTPACED THE POPULATION GROWTH. LOT CURRENTLY PROVIDES FOOD ASSISTANCE, RESOURCES AND EDUCATION THREE DAYS EACH WEEK AND ONE EVENING PER MONTH FOR WORKING CLIENTS ONSITE IN OZARK, AS WELL AS THREE MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS IN RURAL, FOOD DESERT AREAS OF THE COUNTY AT CHADWICK, CLEVER AND SPOKANE.

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 May 2002.

    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.