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St Francis Catholic Kitchen

EIN 94-2880883 · Santa Cruz, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVISION OF FOOD & SHELTER TO THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY

Income
$310,964
Spending
$252,924
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
31.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
2
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$58,753, kitchen director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.8 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 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Fair: 56 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $195,873 spent. THE KITCHEN HAS BEEN SERVING MEALS TO THE HUNGRY IN SANTA CRUZ FOR OVER 35 YEARS. EACH DAY A HEARTY MEAL OF SOUP, SALAD, BREAD, COFFEE AND MILK ARE SERVED TO OVER 130 PEOPLE AT NOON. THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 400 PEOPLE WHO SLEEP OUTSIDE IN SANTA CRUZ AND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ONE AGENCY TO HANDLE ALL THEIR NEEDS. THE KITCHEN IS ONE PLACE WHERE THOSE IN NEED WILL FIND A KIND WELCOME, FOOD AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO REST IN SAFETY. ALL IN NEED REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, COLOR OR SEX. EACH DAY A DIFFERENT SOUP IS SERVED IN ADDITION TO THE SALAD, FRUIT, BREAD AND MILK. A WHOLESOME VARIETY OF FILLING SOUP AND HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSINGS HELP TO CREATE A COMPLETE MEAL. DESSERTS ARE ALSO SERVED WHEN AVAILABLE. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE SHOWERS, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE DAILY FROM 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM. CLOTHING IS DISTRIBUTED ON MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. SHIRTS, PANTS, SOCKS, OUTERWEAR AND CLOTHING ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR GUESTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1983.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.