Fort Worth Food & Wine Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 41% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Mission Statement of the Fort Worth Food & Wine Foundation is to honor the distinctive nature of the fort Worth cooking, food, beverage, and culinary traditions by promoting national and regional attention to the Fort Worth scene and assisting and sustaining chefs, restaurants, and the local ranches and farming communities to raise funds for local grant programs and culinary scholarships: to elevate the skills and culinary knowledge of the general consumer; and to provide internship experiences for those interested in pursuing a career in public relations or marketing.
- Income
- $369,585
- Spending
- $350,914
- Spent on programs
- 41%
- Reserves
- 18.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 47%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $80,000, 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1541% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $49,085 spent. Scholarships, Grants, and Community Wellness: The organization fulfills its mission by providing critical financial and professional support to individuals pursuing or advancing careers in the culinary, hospitality, and food and beverage sectors. During the reporting year, the organization executed a multi-faceted support strategy: Emergency Relief & Mental Health: In partnership with the Southern Smoke Foundation, the organization funded six (6) emergency relief grants to hospitality workers facing crises such as medical emergencies or housing instability. Additionally, the organization funded eighteen (18) professional counseling sessions for four (4) industry professionals, addressing the high rates of stress and burnout within the sector to promote long-term workforce retention and resilience. Educational Scholarships: To bolster the talent pipeline, scholarships were awarded to students at The Culinary School of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University (TCU), and Tarrant County College (TCC). These awards covered tuition and essential expenses for students focused on culinary arts, hospitality, and nutrition. Professional Development: The organization sponsored two (2) scholarships for the FAB Conference, an intensive business workshop for women in hospitality. This initiative focused on leadership, operational strategy, and networking, empowering participants to advance into senior management and ownership roles.
- $51,000 spent. Special Events, Economic Support, and Market Access The organization utilizes ticketed special events, including the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival and the Night Market event, to generate charitable support while providing direct economic benefits to local businesses. These activations serve as a platform for visibility and brand expansion: Financial Stipends: To ensure inclusivity and reduce barriers for emerging businesses, the organization distributed stipends to over 100 food and beverage participants. Stipends ranged from $400 to $500 per event, helping to offset the significant costs of food production, staffing, and logistics. Notably, these stipends were honored even for events canceled due to inclement weather (e.g., Rise + Dine), ensuring the financial stability of participating vendors. Market Exposure: The 2025 Festival introduced 20 new food participants to the regional market. According to post-event surveys of 130+ attendees, 100% of respondents were exposed to at least one new culinary participant, and 60% engaged with a brand they had not previously experienced, directly stimulating local economic growth and consumer discovery.
- $44,992 spent. CRAFT Conference - Workforce Development - The CRAFT Conference (Career Conference for the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders) serves as the organization's flagship youth education initiative. This program bridges the gap between secondary education and professional careers for high school juniors and seniors: Equitable Access: Provided at no cost to 279 students from Tarrant and surrounded counties, the conference offered a comprehensive curriculum spanning culinary arts, agriculture, tourism, and hotel management. Industry Mentorship: Programming included a keynote speaker and ten (10) specialized breakout sessions led by industry experts. Topics focused on entrepreneurship, technical mastery, and operational excellence. Applied Learning Pathway: CRAFT serves as a prerequisite for the organization's hands-on volunteer program at the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival. Under the supervision of Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors, students gain real-world experience in customer service and event operations, creating a tangible pathway from the classroom to the professional workforce.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.