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Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County

EIN 77-0210727 · Sn Luis Obisp, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROCUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD TO AGENCIES SERVING THE NEEDY.

Income
$12.5 million
Spending
$10.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
13.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
45
Volunteers
1,266
Highest pay
$211,253, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 174% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $5.2 million spent. HUNGER RELIEF NETWORK: THE SLO FOOD BANK PROVIDES FOOD TO 70 NONPROFIT AGENCY PARTNERS THROUGHOUT SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SO THEY CAN DISTRIBUTE IT TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE PARTNERS INCLUDE CHURCH PANTRIES, FREE MEAL SITES, SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE PROGRAMS, HOMELESS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, SOCIAL SERVICE NONPROFITS, AND MORE.
  2. $2.1 million spent. DIRECT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS: THE SLO FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTES FOODS DIRECTLY TO NEIGHBORS THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS. THESE MONTHLY OR BI-MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE, PANTRY GOODS, AND MEAT IN AREAS IDENTIFIED BY DATA AS HAVING THE HIGHEST NEED. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS USE REFRIGERATED TRUCKS TO DELIVER AND DISTRIBUTE THESE ESSENTIAL NUTRITIOUS RESOURCES COUNTYWIDE.
  3. $930,652 spent. SPECIALIZED NUTRITION SERVICES: OUR SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS MEET THE NUTRITION NEEDS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. SENIORS AND CHILDREN'S FARMERS' MARKETS BRING NUTRITIOUS PRODUCE DIRECTLY TO OLDER ADULTS AND CHILDREN THROUGH SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS. WE ALSO PROVIDE SENIOR HOME DELIVERY FOR HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS AND SUMMER BREAKFAST BAGS FOR CHILDREN DURING HIGH-NEED MONTHS.
  4. $1.3 million spent. FOOD RESCUE PROGRAMS ($300,066 EXPENSES): THROUGH OUR GLEAN, GROCERY RESCUE, AND SCHOOL RESCUE PROGRAMS, WE HARVEST AND COLLECT HIGH-QUALITY NUTRITIOUS FOOD THAT CANNOT BE SOLD OR HARVESTED. THIS EDIBLE FOOD IS RESCUED FROM LOCAL GROWERS, PRODUCERS, AND RETAILERS TO BE REDIRECTED TO NEIGHBORS IN NEED, ENSURING THAT SURPLUS LOCAL RESOURCES ARE USED TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER IN OUR COMMUNITY.COMMUNITY OUTREACH ($514,804 EXPENSES): OUR OUTREACH TEAM INCREASES FOOD ACCESS THROUGH OUR ONSITE PANTRY & COMMUNITY HUB AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. WE PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS GROCERIES DIRECTLY TO NEIGHBORS THROUGH OUR ON-SITE PANTRY AND SHARE INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABLE FOOD RESOURCES AND BENEFITS, LIKE CALFRESH, THROUGH TARGETED MARKETING AND OUTREACH. WE ALSO COLLECT FEEDBACK TO IMPROVE SERVICES AND ELEVATE NEIGHBOR VOICES.VOLUNTEERS & OTHER GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT ($475,230 EXPENSES)

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 December 1988.

    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.