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Food Tank the Think Tank for Food

EIN 46-0970124 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOOD TANK THE THINK TANK FOR FOOD (THE ORGANIZATION) WAS FOUNDED IN 2012 BY DANIELLE NIERENBERG, A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE EXPERT, TO REPAIR OUR BROKEN FOOD SYSTEM, BY DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. THE ORGANIZATION IS FOR THE SEVEN BILLION PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO EAT EVERY DAY. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS SOLUTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE WAYS OF ALLEVIATING HUNGER, OBESITY AND POVERTY BY CREATING A NETWORK OF CONNECTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR ALL TO CONSUME AND SHARE. THE ORGANIZATION FOCUSES ON HOPE AND SUCCESS IN AGRICULTURE AND CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING ON THE GROUND, IN CITIES, IN KITCHENS, IN FIELDS AND IN LABORATORIES. THESE INNOVATIONS NEED MORE ATTENTION, MORE RESEARCH AND ULTIMATLY MORE FUNDING TO BE REPLICATED AND SCALED UP. THE ORGANIZATION IS FOR FARMERS, PRODUCERS, POLICY MAKERS, GOVERNMENT LEADERS, RESEARCHERS, SCIENTISTS, ACADEMICS, JOURNALISTS AND THE FUNDING AND DONOR COMMUNITIES TO COLLABORATE ON PROVI

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$119,941, president

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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 March 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 (3)
  1. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE O - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
  2. $1.3 million spent. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE O - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
  3. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE O - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 March 2014.

    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.