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Full Plates Full Potential

EIN 82-2032867 · Brunswick, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE ENDING CHILDHOOD HUNGER BY HELPING SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS MAXIMIZE PARTICIPATION IN USDA CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS. WE SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT REACH FOOD-INSECURE CHILDREN WITH FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS THROUGH THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM, CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAMS, AND THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM.

Income
$10.9 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$134,900, executive director

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 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 71% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 159% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 30% 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

    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 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. $313,377 spent. OUT OF SCHOOL: SUN MEALS: FULL PLATES FULL POTENTIAL AWARDED $280,461 IN FUNDING THROUGH THE SUMMER MEALS GRANT PROGRAM TO 38 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS MAINE. GRANT FUNDING SUPPORTED ADOPTION OF ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING BEST PRACTICES AROUND INCREASING PARTICIPATION, INCLUDING OPENING NEW MEAL SITES, LAUNCHING OR EXPANDING ALTERNATIVE MEAL SERVICE MODELS (SUCH AS MEAL PICK-UP, BULK AND/OR MULTIPLE MEALS, TRANSPORTING AND DELIVERING MEALS TO CHILDREN AT HOME), AND PARTNERING WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OR INSTITUTIONS.
  2. $84,737 spent. SCHOOL FOOD SYSTEM INNOVATION USDA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT: FULL PLATES FULL POTENTIAL CONTINUED WORK ON A USDA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT INTENDED TO INCREASE THE USE OF LOCAL INGREDIENTS IN SCHOOL MEALS. DURING THIS SECOND YEAR, FULL PLATES AWARDED AROUND $8.5 MILLION IN SUBRECIPIENT FUNDING AND BEGAN ONGOING GRANT MANAGEMENT.
  3. $2.0 million spent. SCHOOL MEALS: SCRATCH COOKING: FULL PLATES FULL POTENTIAL WORKED TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOLS TO ENGAGE IN SCRATCH COOKING OF MEALS THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN NEW EQUIPMENT, EXPANDED CULINARY SKILLS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AND DEEPENING CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL PRODUCERS AND PROCESSORS.
  4. $251,036 spent. THE OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR SNAP: FULL PLATES FULL POTENTIAL BEGAN WORK, IN PARTIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE OF MAINE, TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN OUTREACH EFFORTS RELATED TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE LARGEST FEDERAL ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY. FULL PLATES DEVELOPED TRAINING AND OUTREACH MATERIALS AND DELIVERED RESOURCES INTO THE FIELD. EXPENSES: $8,211ALL OTHER PROGRAMS PROVIDING GRANTS AND STAFF TIME AND SUPPORT TOWARDS THE GOAL OF ENDING CHILDHOOD FOOD INSECURITY IN MAINE. EXPENSES: $242,825TOTAL EXPENSES FOR OTHER PROGRAMS: $251,036

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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