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Top Box Foods

EIN 45-3930886 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION THAT CREATES ACCESS IN FOOD DESERTS AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO AFFORDABLE LOCAL, HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS FOODS.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
44
Volunteers
692
Highest pay
$170,969, 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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.9 million spent. AGE OPTIONS: TOP BOX FOODS CREATES ACCESS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO HIGH QUALITY FRESH PRODUCE AND OTHER HEALTHY GROCERIES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN NUTRITION AND HUNGER INITIATIVES. IN 2025, TOP BOX FOODS DISTRIBUTED 1.4MM LBS OF FOOD THROUGH THE AGE OPTIONS PROGRAM, REPRESENTING 1.2MM MEAL EQUIVALENTS, REACHING 32,568 HOUSEHOLDS.
  2. $437,967 spent. CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES: IN 2025, TOP BOX FOODS DISTRIBUTED 217,090 LBS OF FOOD THROUGH THE DFSS PROGRAM, REPRESENTING 180,908 MEAL EQUIVALENTS, REACHING 6,550 HOUSEHOLDS
  3. $438,450 spent. MATHER INSTITUTE: IN 2025, TOP BOX FOODS DISTRIBUTED 448,530 LBS OF FOOD THROUGH ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MATHER INSTITUTE, REPRESENTING 373,775 MEAL EQUIVALENTS, REACHING 13,102 HOUSEHOLDS.
  4. ALL SERVICES: IN TOTAL, TOP BOX FOODS DISTRIBUTED 3.01MM LBS OF FOOD ACROSS ALL OF ITS PROGRAMMING IN 2025, REACHING 116,677 HOUSEHOLDS.

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 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 December 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 November 2013.

    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.