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Backpack Society

EIN 84-3290134 · Hghlnds Ranch, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN BY PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ON THE WEEKENDS AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS THAT THEY OTHERWISE WOULD GO WITHOUT.

Income
$516,089
Spending
$421,617
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2,435

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 70% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 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 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 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. $55,641 spent. STUDENT BAG: THE STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A BAG OF SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD EVERY WEEK DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR THE BAGS CONTAIN 6 MEALS PLUS SNACKS. BAGS ARE DELIVERED TO THE SCHOOL AND THE SCHOOL DISTRIBUTES THEM BEFORE THE WEEKEND.
  2. $79,984 spent. FAMILY BOX: THE FAMILY WILL RECEIVE A BOX OF FOOD CUSTOMIZED TO ACCOMMODATE ANY ALLERGY OR DIETARY RESTRICTION THE BOX IS APPROPRIATELY FILLED BASED ON THE HOUSEHOLD SIZE. THIS PROGRAM IS EXPANDED AND THE AMOUNT OF FOOD PROVIDED IS INCREASED TO HELP THE FAMILY THROUGH THE WEEK RATHER THAN JUST THE WEEKEND. MORE ITEMS ARE OFFERED DURING SUMMER AND OTHER SCHOOL BREAKS.
  3. $128,671 spent. SCHOOL PANTRY: THIS PROGRAM ENABLES SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE NUTRITION TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY AS SITUATIONS EMERGE AS WELL AS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL. WE PROVIDE GRAB-AND-GO SNACKS AS WELL AS SOME REGUALR FOOD PANTRY ITEMS.
  4. $83,462 spent. 4th program Market 21% and Waste 3%

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 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 June 2025.

    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 December 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.