Asheville Poverty Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Asheville Poverty Initiative is to build community and educate about the realities of poverty.
- Income
- $604,660
- Spending
- $412,399
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 14.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $86,000, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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 (3)
- $342,479 spent. Asheville Poverty Initiative advances its mission to build community and educate about the realities of poverty through two primary programs: 12 Baskets Cafe and the Realities of Poverty Education Program. In 2025, services expanded following Tropical Storm Helene, providing consistent access to food, resources, and community connection while elevating the voices of individuals with lived experience of poverty. Programs were supported by approximately 100 volunteers contributing about 10,500 hours of service.
- 12 Baskets Cafe provided free community meals and grocery distribution rooted in dignity and abundance. In 2025, the cafe served approximately 200 meals per lunch service, totaling more than 40,000 meals. The free grocery store distributed approximately 24,000 bags of groceries annually, while partnerships with local food businesses enabled the program to divert an estimated 180,000 pounds of food each year from landfills and redistribute it to community members. The cafe also hosted mutual aid partners and supportive services that foster community connection and access to resources.
- The Realities of Poverty Education Program hosted 35 educational activities reaching approximately 640 participants through poverty walks, panel discussions, and storytelling events led by educators with lived experience. Program leaders also shared community perspectives before Asheville City Council to encourage compassionate responses to poverty and homelessness.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.