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Sunrise Cafe New Haven Inc

EIN 84-2398786 · Branford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak24 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUNRISE CAFE SERVES HOT NOURISHING BREAKFASTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO HUNGRY PEOPLE IN NEW HAVEN, CT FIVE DAYS A WEEK. WE CURRENTLY SERVE ABOUT 35,000 OF THEM ANNUALLY. SUNRISE CAFE OFFERS A WELCOMING PLACE TO START THE DAY, AND FREE, HEALTHY BREAKFASTS TO THOSE IN NEED. GUESTS PLACE ORDERS SELECTING FROM A RESTAURANT-STYLE MENU, INCLUDING A LEAST ONE HOT ITEM, AND BREAKFAST IS BROUGHT TO THEM AT THEIR TABLE. TOGETHER, OUR GUESTS AND VOLUNTEERS FORM A COMMUNITY THAT PROMOTES FRIENDSHIP, DIGNITY AND RESPECT. AS OUR CO-FOUNDER, ELLEN GABRIELLE, DESCRIBED IT "WE ARE ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN BREAKFAST". OUR MISSION IS TO TREAT OUR GUESTS WITH CARE AND DIGNITY, SERVING THEM NUTRITIOUS MEALS WITH COMPASSION, LOVE AND RESPECT. SUNRISE IS ALSO A PLACE WHERE, THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS, GUESTS HAVE ACCESS TO CLINICAL SERVICES, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY CLOTHING, READING MATERIAL AND CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS.

Income
$203,455
Spending
$180,711
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
9
Highest pay
$11,400, board member

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $180,711 spent. SUNRISE CAFE NEW HAVEN INC. SERVED OVER 35,000 BREAKFASTS TO NEW HAVEN, CT'S FOOD INSECURE AND UNHOUSED. CREATED A SPACE OF CARE, RESPECT AND FRIENDSHIP FOR OUR GUESTS. PROVIDED SPACE FOR PARTNERS TO PROVIDE BASIC MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PLUS ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING AND JOB PLACEMENT.

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

  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 December 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 November 2019.

    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.

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.