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Passes our checks

Community Cooperative Inc

EIN 59-2602772 · Fort Myers, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO ENDING HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WHILE INSPIRING AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINED POSITIVE CHANGE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS, GROCERIES, SOCIAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION TO THE IMPOVERISHED.

Income
$5.4 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
52
Highest pay
$192,308, ceo/ex-offic

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $3.0 million spent. SAMS COMMUNITY CAF & KITCHEN IS AN INNOVATIVE DELIVERY MODEL FOR FEEDING THE HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE CAF MODEL PROVIDES DINING IN A COMPASSIONATE, COMMUNAL ATMOSPHERE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SIT DOWN, EAT A MEAL, AND BE INTRODUCED TO RESOURCES THAT WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ISSUES CAUSING HUNGER. THE COMMUNITY AND MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES ARE SUSTAINABLE, CLIENT CHOICE MODELS FOR LONG-TERM HUNGER ELIMINATION THAT PROVIDES A CHOICE AND A VOICE FOR THE HUNGRY IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE MARKETS PROVIDE CUSTOMERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN FOOD OFF MARKET SHELVES INSTEAD OF RECEIVING A BOX OF FOOD FILLED WITH ITEMS THAT MAY NOT BE USED, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO A HOT MEAL AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE.
  2. $870,914 spent. THE MEALS ON WHEELS HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM DELIVERS MEALS TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RESIDENTS WHO ARE ELDERLY, ILL OR DISABLED AND ARE UNABLE TO SHOP OR PREPARE THEIR OWN FOOD. THIS SERVICE PROVIDES DAILY NUTRITION AND CONTRACT FOR HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES GROCERIES, A PET PROGRAM AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND RESOURCES.
  3. $796,430 spent. SOCIAL & EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTERS PARTNER WITH A MYRIAD OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND AGENCIES TASKED WITH ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS WITH POSITIVE, SUSTAINABLE CHANGE THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES, REFERRAL, AND FOLLOW-UP ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. ON-SITE AND REFERRAL RESOURCES FOR JOB TRAINING, HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CHILD-CARE, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL WELL- BEING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND LIFE COACHING ARE AVAILABLE. ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICAID AND SNAP APPLICATIONS IS PROVIDED, AS WELL AS PROVIDING BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS CLOTHING, HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND MAIL SERVICES FOR OUR HOMELESS CLIENTS. IN ADDITION TO SERVING THE BASIC NEEDS OF FAMILIES IN CRISIS, COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE PROVIDES CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS TO LEARN EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL SKILLS, SELF-DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND GOAL SETTING AND TO ENGAGE AND HELP WITH POSITIVE, SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM CHANGE. SOCIAL & EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTERS PARTNER WITH A MYRIAD OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND AGENCIES TASKED WITH ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS WITH POSITIVE, SUSTAINABLE CHANGE THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES, REFERRAL, AND FOLLOW-UP ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. ON-SITE AND REFERRAL RESOURCES FOR JOB TRAINING, HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CHILD-CARE, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL WELL- BEING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND LIFE COACHING ARE AVAILABLE. ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICAID AND SNAP APPLICATIONS IS PROVIDED, AS WELL AS PROVIDING BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS CLOTHING, HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND MAIL SERVICES FOR OUR HOMELESS CLIENTS. IN ADDITION TO SERVING THE BASIC NEEDS OF FAMILIES IN CRISIS, COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE PROVIDES CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS TO LEARN EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL SKILLS, SELF-DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND GOAL SETTING AND TO ENGAGE AND HELP WITH POSITIVE, SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM CHANGE.
  4. $223,915 spent. VOLUNTEER

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 December 1985.

    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.