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Open Heart Kitchen of Livermore Incorporated

EIN 94-3396038 · Livermore, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD TODAY, WHILE BUILDING A FOOD SECURE TOMORROW.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
38
Volunteers
899
Highest pay
$174,209, cfo/treasurer

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. OPEN HEART FOOD BANK (OHFB) OPERATES AS A DESIGNATED REDISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATION, RECEIVING BULK FOOD DELIVERIES AND REDISTRIBUTING THEM TO LOCAL PANTRY PARTNERS, WHO IN TURN PROVIDE GROCERIES DIRECTLY TO HOUSEHOLDS IN NEED. OHFB ALSO CONDUCTS DIRECT FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS OFFERING ESSENTIAL GROCERIES SUCH AS PRODUCE, DRY GOODS, AND PROTEIN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED.
  2. $1.0 million spent. COMMUNITY MEALS PROGRAM - PROVIDES A CONSISTENT SOURCE OF FREE, NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT THE VINEYARD RESOURCE CENTER IN LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA. GUESTS MAY DINE IN OR TAKE MEALS TO-GO IN A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT PRIORITIZES DIGNITY AND ACCESS. THE PROGRAM DELIVERS MEALS WEEKLY TO UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS IN ENCAMPMENTS ACROSS THE TRI-VALLEY, OFFERING A VITAL SAFETY NET DURING CHALLENGING TIMES.
  3. $665,527 spent. SENIOR MEAL PROGRAM - THE SENIOR MEAL PROGRAM PROVIDES WEEKDAY LUNCHES TO ADULTS AGED 60 AND ABOVE, MANY OF WHOM HAVE LOW INCOMES, AT LOCATIONS IN PLEASANTON, LIVERMORE, AND DUBLIN. OPEN TO ALL SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE TRI-VALLEY AREA, THE PROGRAM HELPS ENSURE OLDER ADULTS HAVE RELIABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHY MEALS IN A WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE SETTING.
  4. $610,471 spent. OPEN HEART REFUGE A 30-BED, LOW-BARRIER OVERNIGHT SHELTER LOCATED AT THE VINEYARD RESOURCE CENTER IN LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA. OPERATING SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK, THE SHELTER PROVIDES GUESTS WITH OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS, BREAKFAST AND DINNER, AND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES INCLUDING LAUNDRY, SHOWERS, MAILBOXES, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND HOUSING NAVIGATION SUPPORT.MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL THE ORGANIZATION IS LED BY AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR AND PROGRAM MANAGER TO ENSURE A PRODUCTIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, COORDINATE PROGRAM STRATEGIES, AND SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ("BOARD"). THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OVERSEES THE FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION, PROMOTING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY. ENCOMPASSES THE ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL, AND STRATEGIC FUNCTIONS THAT ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE ORGANIZATION. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RESOURCES, FISCAL MANAGEMENT, COMPLIANCE, AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN PROGRAM SERVICES.FUNDRAISING GENERATES SUPPORT FROM INDIVIDUALS, FOUNDATIONS, AND CORPORATIONS TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 February 2002.

    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.