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Out of a Jam Inc

EIN 81-2862936 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUT OF A JAM HAS A VISION TO NURTURE AND EDUCATE YOUTH AND WOMEN, A PLAN TO SAVE OVERSTOCKED FOODS TO FEED THE LESS FORTUNATE & A PROGRAM TO GUIDE STUDENTS TOWARD A SUCCESSFUL PATH IN LIFE.

Income
$326,932
Spending
$470,292
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
15
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$90,160, executive di

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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $112,329 spent. FEEDING FORT WAYNE USES THE SKILLS AND TOOLS WE HAVE TO CAPTURE MUCH OF THE UNWANTED, OVERSTOCKED AND FORGOTTEN FOODS AND TRANSITION THEM INTO HEALTHY, DELICIOUS MEALS FOR THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN REAL NEED.
  2. $94,331 spent. WELL SERVED IS THE CATERING DIVISION WITH A MISSION TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO THE CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF CULINARY ARTS. STUDENTS LEARN THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF FOOD SERVICE PERSONNEL.
  3. $37,882 spent. THE ESSENTIALS COOKING CLASS PROGRAM TRAINS HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS WITH LIFE SKILLS AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERV SAFE CERTIFICATIONS AND HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS.
  4. $49,353 spent. THE FOOD TRUCK EMPLOYS STUDENTS IN A SUMMER WORK PROGRAM SELLING UPSCALE SANDWICHES TO THE FORT WAYNE AREA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. WE CONTINUE TO SELL JAMS MADE BY STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM AND HOST A SHOP, COOK & EAT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TEACH BUSY MOMS HOW TO PLAN AND PREPARE GOOD FOOD IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS.
  5. THE FOOD TRUCK EMPLOYS STUDENTS IN A SUMMER WORK PROGRAM SELLING UPSCALE SANDWICHES TO THE FORT WAYNE AREA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. WE CONTINUE TO SELL JAMS MADE BY STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM AND HOST A SHOP, COOK & EAT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TEACH BUSY MOMS HOW TO PLAN AND PREPARE GOOD FOOD IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS.

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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 August 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.