Capital Area Food Bank
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK (THE FOOD BANK OR CAFB) IS TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS THRIVE BY CREATING MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO FOOD AND OPPORTUNITY THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
- Income
- $128.3 million
- Spending
- $116.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 241
- Volunteers
- 13,729
- Highest pay
- $469,195, president & ceo
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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, over $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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
Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.
Results it reports
- 72.6 million pounds of food were distributed or their distribution facilitated.Work delivered
- Food for over 60 million meals is distributed through over 400 regional nonprofit organizations.Work delivered
Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $98.9 million spent. FOOD FOR TODAY:CAFB WORKS TO ADDRESS HUNGER TODAY FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY. AS THE ANCHOR IN THE AREA'S HUNGER RELIEF INFRASTRUCTURE, CAFB SUPPLIES FOOD TO HUNDREDS OF LOCAL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND DIRECTLY DISTRIBUTES FOOD THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS. IN TOTAL, CAFB DISTRIBUTED OR FACILITATED THE DISTRIBUTION OF 72.6 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025.- FOOD DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSWITH HELP FROM RETAIL GROCERS, MANUFACTURERS, AND LOCAL GROWERS, ALONG WITH OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTES THE FOOD FOR OVER 60 MILLION NUTRITIOUS MEALS EACH YEAR THROUGH A NETWORK OF OVER 400 REGIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THESE PARTNERS INCLUDE A RANGE OF ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS, SHELTERS, AND OTHERS. FOR MOST OF THESE PARTNERS, CAFB IS THE PRIMARY OR SOLE SOURCE OF THE FOOD THEY DISTRIBUTE.- DIRECT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMSWHILE MOST OF THE FOOD CAFB PROVIDES REACHES OUR NEIGHBORS THROUGH OUR NETWORK OF PARTNERS, SOMETIMES IT IS NECESSARY FOR CAFB TO DIRECTLY PROVIDE FOOD TO KIDS, SENIORS, AND FAMILIES WHERE THEY LIVE AND LEARN. THESE PROGRAMS REACH THREE MAJOR GROUPS:- COMMUNITY AT LARGE: CAFB OPERATES MULTIPLE DIRECT FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE WIDELY ACCESSIBLE BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THESE INCLUDE MOBILE AND COMMUNITY MARKETS, WHICH ARE MONTHLY NO-COST POP-UP MARKETS THAT BRING FOOD DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE IT'S NEEDED.- CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: RECOGNIZING THE PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, CAFB SUPPLIES CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE FOOD THEY NEED THROUGH MULTIPLE PROGRAMS OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE LOCATIONS. THESE INCLUDE:1. FAMILY MARKETS: HOSTED IN SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND OFFER NO-COST FOOD FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES IN A CONVENIENT MARKET-LIKE SETTING.2. JOYFUL FOOD MARKETS: OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ORGANIZATION MARTHA'S TABLE AND PROVIDE FOOD FOR FAMILIES THROUGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY CENTER-BASED MARKETS IN DC'S WARDS 7 AND 8.3. AFTER SCHOOL MEAL SITES: KIDS RECEIVE HEARTY SNACKS OR EVENING MEALS AT A VARIETY OF AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE AREA VIA THE FEDERAL CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM.4. SUMMER MEALS: PROVIDES THE NUTRITIOUS MEALS KIDS NEED TO CONTINUE GROWING AND LEARNING WHEN SCHOOL MEALS ARE UNAVAILABLE THROUGH THE FEDERAL SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM.- OLDER ADULTS: TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF FOOD INSECURE SENIORS, CAFB OPERATES MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE:1. THE SENIOR BAG PROGRAM: PROVIDES MONTHLY, SENIOR-SPECIFIC BAGS OF HEALTHY GROCERIES TO PEOPLE OVER 55.2. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM : SITES THROUGH WHICH INCOME-ELIGIBLE SENIORS OVER 60 LIVING IN DC, MONTGOMERY AND PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTIES IN MARYLAND, AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA CAN RECEIVE NUTRITIOUS GROCERIES EACH MONTH VIA THIS FEDERAL PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS. IN MARYLAND, THE PROGRAM IS KNOWN AS MY GROCERIES TO GO!; IN DC, IT IS KNOWN AS GROCERY PLUS.
- $2.8 million spent. FOOD FOR BRIGHTER FUTURES:FOOD ALONE WON'T SOLVE HUNGER. TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD INSECURITY AND INEQUITY IN THE REGION, THE FOOD BANK IS PILOTING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR PAIRING FOOD WITH OTHER CRITICAL SERVICES, SUCH AS HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION. BY EXPANDING BEYOND CAFB'S TRADITIONAL FOOD PROVIDER NETWORK, THE FOOD BANK CAN MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AND PROVIDE THEM WITH SUPPORT TO HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THEIR MOST PRESSING CONCERNS. THE FOOD BANK ALSO OPERATES INNOVATIVE FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS TO CREATE MORE WAYS IN WHICH NEIGHBORS WITH TRANSPORTATION OR OTHER CONSTRAINTS CAN GET THE FOOD THEY NEED.- FOOD IS MEDICINE (FOOD PLUS HEALTH): THESE INITIATIVES INTEGRATE FOOD INTO HEALTH CARE SETTINGS TO PROMOTE DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT, RESULTING IN HEALTHIER OUTCOMES AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE. CAFB PARTNERS WITH MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE REGION TO PROVIDE PATIENTS FACING FOOD INSECURITY WITH MEDICALLY TAILORED GROCERIES EITHER DURING THEIR CLINIC VISITS OR VIA HOME DELIVERY.- FOOD FOR UPWARD MOBILITY (FOOD PLUS EDUCATION)THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON CREATING GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE IT SERVES, CAFB BUNDLES FOOD AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO HELP IMPROVE ACADEMIC OUTCOMES AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY. CAFB PARTNERS WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE REGION TO PROVIDE FOOD INSECURE STUDENTS WITH NUTRITION VIA MULTIPLE MODELS, INCLUDING GROCERY GIFT CARDS AND ON-CAMPUS PANTRIES.- FOOD ACCESS INITIATIVESTHROUGH THIS AREA OF ITS WORK, CAFB DEVELOPS AND IMPLEMENTS COMMERCIAL-LIKE FOOD DISTRIBUTION MODELS TO EXTEND THE CAFB'S REACH TO THOSE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY. FOR EXAMPLE, CLIENTS IN AREAS WITH VERY FEW GROCERY STORES ALSO ARE SEEKING OPTIONS FOR PURCHASING NUTRITIOUS FOOD. TO RESPOND TO THIS NEED, CAFB OPERATES CURBSIDE GROCERIES. THESE MOBILE GROCERY TRUCKS, OPERATING IN DC'S WARD 8 AND MARYLAND'S PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, OFFER A NEW KIND OF NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL OPTION, WHERE PEOPLE CAN BUY PRODUCE, PROTEIN, AND OTHER GROCERY STAPLES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.
- $1.8 million spent. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:A. FOOD INSECURITY RESEARCH: CAFB REGULARLY PARTNERS WITH RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS TO GATHER AND PUBLISH DATA AND INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO ITS WORK. THIS INFORMATION IS USED BY THE FOOD BANK TO GUIDE ITS ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY AND PROGRAMMATIC SERVICES, AND BY OTHER REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO INFORM PLANNING AND POLICY.B. CLIENT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE IT SERVES, CAFB CONVENES A CLIENT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (CLC) EACH YEAR. A COHORT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE FOOD BANK'S SERVICE AREA AND WHO ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY RECEIVE ADVOCACY TRAINING THROUGH THE CLC. THIS 10-MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM SUPPORTS THEIR GROWTH AS ADVOCATES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.C. POLICY ANALYSIS: THE FOOD BANK'S POLICY TEAM STAYS APPRISED OF LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL POLICY ISSUES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY THE FOOD BANK, AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICY POSITIONS BASED ON WHAT WILL ULTIMATELY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE FOOD BANK'S CLIENTS.
- $547,552 spent. NUTRITION EDUCATION:IN ADDITION TO FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS, CAFB ALSO OPERATES A VARIETY OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND URBAN AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS.- COOKING AND NUTRITION CLASSESTO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE IT SERVES WITH IMPROVING OR MAINTAINING THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, CAFB'S TEAM OF REGISTERED DIETITIANS REGULARLY HOLD NUTRITION EDUCATION CLASSES FOR ITS PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. CAFB ALSO DEVELOPS AND DISTRIBUTES NUTRITION RESOURCES, INCLUDING RECIPE CARDS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES THAT CONTAIN CULTURALLY RELEVANT IDEAS FOR HEALTHY, LOW-COST MEALS THAT USE INGREDIENTS COMMONLY PROVIDED BY THE FOOD BANK.- URBAN GARDENTHE FOOD BANK'S HALF-ACRE URBAN DEMONSTRATION GARDEN OFFERS AN OUTDOOR "LEARNING LABORATORY" WHERE SCHOOL CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN LEARN HOW TO GROW GOOD, NUTRITIOUS FOOD WITH JUST A SMALL PIECE OF LAND. LOCATED AT THE FOOD BANK'S NORTHEAST DC FACILITY, THE SPACE FEATURES RAISED BEDS AND FRUIT TREES, AND IS HOME TO AN OUTDOOR TEACHING KITCHEN WHERE CAFB HOLDS CLASSES ON NUTRITION, COOKING, AND GARDENING.
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 January 1980.
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.