Meals on Wheels Bluffton Hilton Head Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO DELIVER NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND REDUCE ISOLATION FOR ELDERLY, ILL, DISABLED, AND HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS IN BLUFFTON AND HILTON HEAD, ON A TEMPORARY OR LONG-TERM BASIS.
- Income
- $511,797
- Spending
- $533,455
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $78,833, 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: 69 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Good: 83 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
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
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 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 (1)
- $408,940 spent. Since 1979, Meals on Wheels Bluffton-Hilton Head has served homebound, elderly, ill, disabled, and financially vulnerable neighbors by delivering nutritious meals and reducing isolation for individuals in Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Sun City, on a temporary or long-term basis. Through its More Than a Meal(R) Program, the organization delivers hot, nutritious meals five days each week, 52 weeks per year, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2025, Meals on Wheels Bluffton-Hilton Head delivered 30,291 fresh, hot meals to 257 unduplicated clients across 12 weekday delivery routes. The program fills a critical need for individuals who cannot reliably access traditional food resources due to immobility, illness, disability, lack of transportation, financial hardship, or limited support. Many clients live alone, face rising food costs, or manage health conditions that make shopping and meal preparation difficult. Each delivery includes more than a meal. Volunteer drivers provide a friendly visit and wellness check, offering regular human connection and helping clients remain safely and independently in their homes. In 2025, 78 clients completed or transitioned off service, reflecting both the temporary and long-term nature of the organization's support. Meals on Wheels Bluffton-Hilton Head operates with a lean staffing model and a dedicated volunteer network that helps pack, organize, and deliver meals directly to clients' homes. Through meal delivery, wellness checks, and compassionate volunteer connection, the organization advances food security, social connection, dignity, and independence for vulnerable neighbors across southern Beaufort County.
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
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 December 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 October 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.