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Chatham Outreach Alliance Inc

EIN 56-1668767 · Pittsboro, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CORA IS A NONPROFIT WORKING TO END HUNGER BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS FOOD THROUGH ITS CHOICE PANTRIES, MOBILE MARKETS, AND SEASONAL PROGRAMS FOR KIDS. CORA SUPPORTS LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS WITH DIGNITY AND CARE. LAST YEAR, CORA DISTRIBUTED 1.9 MILLION MEALS TO NEARLY 13,000 INDIVIDUALS.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
16
Volunteers
371
Highest pay
$129,928, 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.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 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 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 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 (4)
  1. $2.8 million spent. CORA'S CHOICE FOOD PANTRIES SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING FOOD INSECURITY. SET UP LIKE A GROCERY STORE, THE PANTRY ALLOWS CLIENTS TO CHOOSE FOODS THAT SUIT THEIR NEEDS, PROVIDING ENOUGH FOR 21 MEALS PER FAMILY MEMBER AT EACH VISIT. THIS CLIENT CHOICE MODEL PROMOTES DIGNITY, NUTRITIONAL VARIETY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. IN 2024/2025, THE PANTRY PROVIDED OVER 994,000 MEALS TO OVER 3,000 FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY.
  2. $206,343 spent. THE SUMMER NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHATHAM KIDS (SNACK) PROGRAMACROSS THE COUNTY. ENSURES THAT CHILDREN WHO RELY ON FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE SCHOOL MEALS CAN ACCESS NUTRITIOUS FOOD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. IT SUPPLIES FAMILIES WITH ENOUGH HEALTHY FOOD TO COVER EACH CHILD'S BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, AND SNACKS, REDUCING THE BURDEN OF INCREASED FOOD COSTS WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT. IN THE SUMMER OF 2024, WE SERVED 1,323 CHILDREN WITH OVER 194,000 MEALS.
  3. $89,555 spent. CORA'S MOBILE MARKET BRINGS NUTRITIOUS FOOD DIRECTLY TO CHATHAM COUNTY RESIDENTS FACING FOOD INSECURITY, REACHING THOSE IN FOOD DESERTS OR WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. USING A DRIVE-THROUGH MODEL, IT PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH PRE-PACKED GROCERIES THAT INCLUDE FRESH PRODUCE, MEATS, DAIRY, BAKERY ITEMS, AND STAPLES. EACH VISIT OFFERS ENOUGH FOOD FOR 21 MEALS PER PERSON. IN 2024/2025, THE MOBILE MARKET PROVIDED 221,000 MEALS.PROVIDED 171,000 MEALS.
  4. $86,231 spent. CORAPACKS PROVIDES FOOD TO CHILDREN WHO DEPEND ON FREE OR REDUCED-COST MEALS AT SCHOOL BUT NEED ACCESS TO NUTRITION DURING WEEKENDS AND BREAKS. FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY, EACH ENROLLED STUDENT RECEIVES A MONTHLY FOOD BOX DELIVERED TO THEIR HOME. EACH CHILD RECEIVES THREE MEALS, TWO SNACKS, AND MILK FOR THE DAYS THEY ARE NOT IN SCHOOL. DURING THE 2024/2025 SCHOOL YEAR, CORA PROVIDED FOOD TO 170 CHILDREN.DELIVERY:CORA OFFERS DELIVERY TO LOCAL SENIORS WHO LACK TRANSPORTATION. IN 2024/2025, CORA PROVIDED DELIVERY OF GROCERIES AND CSFP (COMMODITYSUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM) BOXES TO 185 PEOPLE MONTHLY.OTHER:FOOD INSECURITY CAN BE DEFINED AS LIMITED OR UNCERTAIN ACCESS TONUTRITIOUS FOOD BECAUSE OF A LACK OF RESOURCES. MANY FAMILIES DO NOTHAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES THEY NEED TO MEET THE COMPETING DEMANDS WE ALL FACE INCLUDING PAYMENTS FOR FOOD, HOUSING, MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES WHICH INCREASES THEIR RISK FOR FOOD INSECURITY. FAMILIES MAY EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY FOR A DAY, A WEEK, A FEW MONTHS OR MORE AS THEIR RESOURCES COME AND GO.TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS ISSUE, THE CORA FOOD PANTRY PROVIDED THE EQUIVALENT OF APPROXIMATELY 1,900,000 MEALS TO OVER 12,600 INDIVIDUALS ACROSS CHATHAM COUNTY DURING THE PAST FISCAL YEAR.

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 October 13, 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 March 1990.

    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 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.