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Southeast Regional Cooperative Inc

EIN 82-2707649 · East Point, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FACILITATE DONATIONS OF PRODUCE AND PURCHASES AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST AND TO PROVIDE A CONSISTENT LEVEL OF DEMAND TO GROWERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND OTHER SUPPLY CHAIN PARTICIPANTS.

Income
$14.1 million
Spending
$14.1 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 70%
Employees
7
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$141,420, executive director

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: 57 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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 (1)
  1. $13.8 million spent. THE SOUTHEAST REGIONAL COOPERATIVE (SERC) IS A 501(C)3, TYPE I SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION OF THE FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS IN 7 SOUTHEASTERN STATES. IT SEEKS TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE TO FOOD BANKS IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION, FOCUSING ON QUANTITY, QUALITY, AND VARIETY. THE SERC IS DESIGNED TO AGGREGATE PRODUCE DEMAND FROM FOOD BANKS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST AND MATCH THAT DEMAND WITH SURPLUS PRODUCE FROM THE SOUTHEAST STATES AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE SERC SEEKS TO REDUCE THE COST OF ACQUISITION FOR FRESH PRODUCE BY BUILDING DONOR RELATIONSHIPS AND LOWERING LOGISTICS COSTS, THEREBY INCREASING FRESH DONATED PRODUCE FOR OUR SUPPORTED MEMBER FOOD BANKS. THE SERC NEGOTIATES AND PROCURES EXCESS DONATED PRODUCE AND FREIGHT COSTS FOR PARTICIPATING FOOD BANKS. THE SERC MANAGES A CONTRACTED MIXING FACILITY WHERE IT AGGREGATES STRAIGHT COMMODITY TRUCKLOADS AND CROSS-DOCK THE PRODUCE TO CREATE MIXED COMMODITY TRUCKLOADS. THE SERC THEN DISTRIBUTES THESE MIXED PRODUCE TRUCKLOADS TO THE SUPPORTED FOOD BANKS.

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 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 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 May 2018.

    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.