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Meals on Wheels Waco

EIN 74-1776447 · Waco, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MEALS ON WHEELS WACO NOURISHES THE BODIES, MINDS, AND SPIRITS OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE HEART OF TEXAS THROUGH MEALS, TRANSPORTATION, ACTIVITIES, AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
40
Volunteers
650
Highest pay
$84,598, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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

    18 of 18 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 September 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)
  1. $886,020 spent. MEALS ON WHEELS IS A NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE SIXTY YEARS OR OLDER WHO ARE HOMEBOUND AND/OR ARE UNABLE TO PURCHASE OR PREPARE MEALS. LUNCHES ARE DELIVERED FIVE DAYS-A-WEEK TO THE HOMES OF OLDER ADULTS BY VOLUNTEERS. THE MEALS ARE PREPARED BY THE SENIOR NUTRITION KITCHEN LOCATED IN WACO, TX. MEALS ON WHEELS SERVES OLDER ADULTS WHOSE RESOURCES ARE CONSUMED BY HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE NEEDS. LITTLE INCOME IS LEFT FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOOD. TOTAL MEALS PROVIDED WERE 107,461, SERVING A TOTAL OF 605 CLIENTS.
  2. $322,242 spent. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM; CTSM TRANSIT IS A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR CLIENTS IN MCLENNAN COUNTY IN COLLABORATION WITH WACO TRANSIT SYSTEM. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRIPS PROVIDED WERE 6484.
  3. $353,886 spent. SENIOR CENTERS PROVIDE A PLACE FOR A NUTRITIOUS LUNCH, HEALTH SCREENING, EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. SENIOR CENTER STAFF MEMBERS OFTEN SEEK COLLABORATIVE HELP FOR THE CENTER CLIENTS. THEY MAY CONTACT THE MCLENNAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPT, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, A HOME HEALTH ORGANIZATION, OR A BENEFITS COUNSELOR AT THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING. THEY MAY HELP THE RECIPIENT ACCESS OUR OWN TRANSPORTATION SERVICES SO THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT A CLINIC, A DIALYSIS CENTER, OR THE CENTER ITSELF. ELEVEN SENIOR CENTERS ARE OPERATED IN THE THREE COUNTIES. IN THE RURAL AREAS, THE SENIOR CENTERS ARE ALSO THE DISTRIBUTION POINT FOR THE HOMEBOUND DELIVERED MEALS. A TOTAL OF 30,461 MEALS WERE PROVIDED AT THE CENTERS DURING THE YEAR, SERVING A TOTAL OF 503 CLIENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 October 1974.

    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.