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Lindaben Foundation Inc

EIN 85-2409722 · Columbia, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission has been to improve childhood food security and nutrition and to be a safe haven for the working homeless, and at-risk population, underserved, and marginalized communities by uplifting their conditions and providing wrap around services founded in love and friendship. We envision a world that empowers those in need and invisible by providing means to improve their quality of life in a community where they feel worthy, safe and accepted. Through our collective, collaborative sustainability efforts, we are currently taking actions to achieve zero hunger, food security, and wellness equity. Our project cornerstones consisting of four major volunteer workforces behind the following initiatives: 1 Food Gleaning Program, 2 Onsite Client Choice Community Pantry, 3 FAM Rx Produce Food Distribution at Schools, 4 Blessings in a Backpack

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
0
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$94,000, founder/ executive director

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 181% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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, 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 (5)
  1. $806,004 spent. Food Recovery and Waste Reduction: We partnered with multiple local nonprofits and the county government for our food recovery network focused on rescuing surplus food from farms, retailers, and institutions. In 2025, we recovered over 376,000 pounds of food means you stopped about 252 tons of greenhouse gases from being released - that's the same as: Planting over 10,000 trees and letting them grow for 10 years or taking 58 cars off the road for an entire year or saving the energy used by 33 homes in one year.
  2. $1.1 million spent. Client Choice Community Food Distribution Program: Our Client Choice Community Food Distribution Program empowers individuals and families to select the food items that best meet their cultural, dietary, and personal preferences. This program operates daily and served over 24K households in 2025. Families are able to choose from fresh produce, shelf-stable goods, dairy, protein, and culturally specific staples. The program distributed more than 2.2 million pounds of food valued at approximately $4 million. This approach enhances dignity, reduces food waste, and strengthens community trust.
  3. $1.6 million spent. Our Food as Medicine program provides families, especially those from Title I schools and immigrant and refugee communities, with monthly prescription food boxes that contain fresh produce, pantry staples, and health education materials. In 2024, we served over 1500 families each month across 16+ schools. In total, the program distributed over 1 million pounds of fresh and shelf stable food. Educational content tailored to cultural preferences and chronic disease prevention is included in every box.
  4. $120,629 spent. Blessings In A Backpack: This program provides weekend power packs of kid friendly snacks to students. Each week the students in the program receive a pre-prepared package of snacks so they have something to eat on the weekend. These snacks are handed out by our school partners to students identified as most in need. On a weekly basis 1,000 students receive snack packs with an annual cost of $35K (7600 units).
  5. $31,444 spent. Other miscellaneous programs: Catering, Gardening, Workshops, Back to School events

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 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 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 November 2020.

    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.