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Farestart

EIN 91-1546757 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FARESTART TRANSFORMS LIVES, DISRUPTS POVERTY AND NOURISHES COMMUNITIES THROUGH FOOD, LIFE SKILLS AND JOB TRAINING.

Income
$14.7 million
Spending
$15.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
162
Volunteers
873
Highest pay
$338,821, ceo

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 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. $6.1 million spent. OUR JOB TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDES CLASSROOM TRAINING ALONGSIDE FOOD-BASED SOCIAL ENTERPRISES THAT SERVE AS ON-THE-JOB CLASSROOMS WHERE STUDENTS LEARN SKILLS THAT PREPARE THEM FOR JOBS IN AND BEYOND THE CULINARY INDUSTRY. STUDENTS LEARN AND HONE THESE SKILLS WHILE BEING IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT INCLUDES WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, LAPTOPS, TRANSPORTATION AND MORE. IN 2024, WE SERVED 662 INDIVIDUALS. 268 STUDENTS ENROLLED ACROSS OUR JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS AND 144 STUDENTS GRADUATED. THERE WERE 47 JOB PLACEMENTS OR PROMOTIONS, AND 32 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARNED HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT.
  2. $5.0 million spent. FOR OVER 30 YEARS, FARESTART HAS SUPPORTED FOOD SECURITY ACROSS THE SEATTLE AREA WHILE PROVIDING JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS. WE CONTRACT WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SHELTERS, SCHOOLS AND DAYCARE CENTERS TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS, PREPARED MEALS TO MOSTLY FOOD INSECURE COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE A MOBILE COMMUNITY MARKET WITH FRESH PRODUCE AND STAPLES FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH KING COUNTY. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED 508,163 PREPARED MEALS AND DISTRIBUTED 48,670 POUNDS OF PRODUCE TO CHILDREN, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
  3. $414,471 spent. FARESTART PROVIDES CONSULTING, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. IN 2024, 59 ORGANIZATIONS WERE SUPPORTED.

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 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 June 1992.

    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.