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United Food Bank

EIN 86-0505273 · Mesa, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceReports resultsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

United Food Bank unites communities to alleviate hunger.

Income
$54.3 million
Spending
$54.7 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
77
Volunteers
4,565
Highest pay
$204,426, president & ceo

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

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

    21 of 21 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.

Results it reports

  • The food bank distributed 26.9 million pounds of food through partner agencies, pantries, and direct service.Work delivered
  • 13.4 million pounds of rescued food from retail and wholesale partners were included.Work delivered
  • Partner agencies recorded over 120,500 visits per month on average from people seeking food assistance.Work delivered
  • The food bank assembled and distributed 509,640 emergency food bags.Work delivered
  • 40,277 senior food boxes were distributed in partnership with local agencies.Work delivered
  • 614,084 meals were distributed to children through after-school and community programs.Work delivered

Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $48.8 million spent. United Food Bank sources, rescues, and distributes food to a network of community partners across a 19,000+-square-mile region in Arizona, including parts of Maricopa, Pinal, Gila, Navajo, and Apache Counties. In 2025, United Food Bank distributed 26.9 million pounds of food through its network of partner agencies, community food pantries, and direct service efforts. This included 13.4 million pounds of rescued food from retail and wholesale partners, reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable food system. On average, partner agencies recorded over 120,500 visits per month from individuals and families seeking food assistance. United Food Bank also assembled and distributed 509,640 emergency food bags to support neighbors facing urgent need.
  2. $2.3 million spent. United Food Bank provides monthly food boxes to low-income individuals age 60 and older through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Each box includes items from all five food groups, including shelf-stable proteins, grains, fruits, vegetables, and cheese. In 2025, 40,277 senior food boxes were distributed in partnership with local agencies, helping older adults maintain a healthy diet and access consistent food support across both urban and rural areas.
  3. $256,340 spent. To address childhood hunger, United Food Bank partners with after-school and community-based programs to provide free, nutritious meals and snacks to children experiencing food insecurity. In 2025, 614,084 meals were distributed through these efforts, ensuring that children had access to reliable nourishment outside of school hours.

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 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 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 November 1985.

    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.