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Community Cooks Inc

EIN 45-2351381 · Somerville, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY COOKS MOBILIZES INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, CIVIC EDUCATIONAL AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS TO PREPARE HOME-COOKED FOOD FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT GREATER BOSTON. THE AGENCY ORGANIZES THE VOLUNTEERS WHO PURCHASE AND COOK THE MEALS PRIMARILY IN THEIR OWN HOMES. THE AGENCY COORDINATES THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEALS USING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FOR DELIVERY. THE AIM IS TO FEED HUNGRY NEIGHBORS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE GO WITHOUT, BUILD A BRIDGE OF CARING BETWEEN VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED AND SUPPORT CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS BY ALLEVIATING THEIR HUNGER NEEDS.

Income
$684,039
Spending
$619,126
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
7
Volunteers
850
Highest pay
$108,677, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $423,017 spent. OUR CURRENT 750+ VOLUNTEERS PREPARE AND DELIVER HOME COOKED MEALS THAT SERVE OVER 2,000 NEIGHBORS IN NEED EACH MONTH WHO ARE SEEKING SERVICES AT OUR 34 GREATER BOSTON PARTNER HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES. THESE PARTNER AGENCIES SERVE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS INCLUDING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN; INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION; HOMELESS ADULTS AND FAMILIES; VETERANS; STREET INVOLVED YOUTH; YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES; CHILDREN RECEIVE EMERGENCY FOOD SERVICES VIA AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS; LOW-INCOME ELDERS; INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN RECEIVING CANCER TREATMENT AT BOSTON-AREA HOSPITALS.

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 January 2012.

    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.

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