Food Paradigm
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Food Paradigm is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its primary exempt purpose is to promote equitable food systems by providing education, training, and resources that empower individuals and communities to access, grow, and understand nutritious food. The organization conducts programs that include food literacy education, youth leadership development, community-based workshops, and partnerships with local schools and organizations to support food justice and sustainable food practices.
- Income
- $80,892
- Spending
- $75,193
- Reserves
- 4.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $52,000, co-executive director and board secretary
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (2)
- $15,600 spent. A full-time staff member dedicated approximately 30% of their time to advancing the organization's mission of improving school food systems. Responsibilities included building and managing relationships with schools to support improved food sourcing and meal service; conducting outreach to cultivate school partners; providing consultation to schools on implementing food program improvements; and researching, planning, and designing implementation frameworks for two pilot school sites.
- $10,770 spent. Two part-time contract program coordinators dedicated 100% of their time to program activities, including research, menu development, project planning, troubleshooting, and development of nutrition education materials for student ambassadors. One coordinator developed six weeks of new menus for Method Child Development Center, serving approximately 100 students and 10 staff. The remaining program work focused on research, planning, and preparation for a pilot program at RISE SE Raleigh Charter School, serving approximately 500 students and staff.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.