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Kaizen Food Rescue

EIN 83-4107744 · Englewood, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KAIZEN FOOD RESCUE AIMS TO PREVENT FOOD WASTE AND IMPROVE FOOD JUSTICE AND HEALTH EQUITY IN THE DENVER METRO AREA. OUR VISION IS TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD JUSTICE IN THE DENVER METRO AREA BECAUSE WE BELIEVE HEALTHY AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOODS SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

Income
$7.3 million
Spending
$7.5 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
1
Volunteers
4,560
Highest pay
$104,940, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 43 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 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 (3)
  1. $7.2 million spent. COMMUNITY FOOD SHAREOPERATES NO-COST MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENTS IN FOOD-INSECURE COMMUNITIES. RECOVERS SURPLUS PERISHABLE AND NON-PERISHABLE FOOD, DISTRIBUTING IT TO INDIVIDUALS TO IMPROVE FOOD ACCESS AND REDUCE WASTE. 2,684,768 LBS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED. 22,800 TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS. SERVED 274,528 INDIVIDUALS AT 228 EVENTS.
  2. $141,000 spent. COMMUNITY GARDEN/ FARMINGESTABLISHES AND SUPPORTS URBAN GARDENS AND SMALL-SCALE FARMING TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD RESILIENCE, PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE, AND OFFER EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON SUSTAINABLE GROWING AND HEALTHY EATING. SUPPORTED 3 COMMUNITY GARDEN SITES, YIELDING 3,000+ LBS OF PRODUCE. ENGAGED 400 VOLUNTEERS AND CONDUCTED 24 EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
  3. $75,000 spent. NON-LOBBYING ADVOCACYADDRESSES ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD INSECURITY AND WASTE THROUGH NON-LOBBYING ADVOCACY, PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND COALITION-BUILDING. AIMS TO INFLUENCE LOCAL/STATE POLICIES FOR EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEMS. ALL STAFF COMPLETED RACIAL EQUITY TRAINING THIS YEAR TO ENHANCE ADVOCACY EFFORTS. PARTICIPATED IN 48 POLICY COALITION MEETINGS. HOSTED 24 PUBLIC EDUCATION EVENTS.

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 April 2019.

    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.