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Meals-On-Wheels Greater San Diego Inc

EIN 95-2660509 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MEALS ON WHEELS SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENCE AND WELL-BEING OF SENIORS WHO CHOOSE TO AGE IN THEIR HOME OR FOR THOSE THAT ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD QUALITY INSTITUTIONAL CARE AND MUST REMAIN AT HOME. MANY SENIORS EXPERIENCE CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND DISABILITIES THAT OFTEN MAKE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING DIFFICULT. MEANS ON WHEELS SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY NET SERVING OLDER ADULTS IN THE HOME WITH CARE SERVICES THAT INCLUDE THE DELIVERY OF UP TO TWO FRESH MEALS A DAY, DAILY SAFETY CHECKS (WITH REFERRAL TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES IF NECESSARY) AND A FRIENDLY VISIT.

Income
$13.6 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-9.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 38%
Employees
153
Volunteers
3,956
Highest pay
$220,281, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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

    15 of 15 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 September 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 (1)
  1. $10.4 million spent. MEALS ON WHEELS SAN DIEGO COUNTY SERVES ALL OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, INCLUDING THE 3,049 SQUARE MILES OF RURAL AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS. OF ALL SENIORS SERVED, 85% ARE CONSIDERED EXTREMELY LOW TO LOW INCOME ACCORDING TO THE 2023 INCOME GUIDELINES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD). WE SUBSIDIZE MORE THAN 63% OF THE COSTS OF MEALS, DELIVERY, AND OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED, REGARDLESS OF A SENIOR'S ABILITY TO PAY. FURTHER SUBSIDIES ARE PROVIDED FOR SENIORS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SEVERE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. FOR FISCAL 2025 (TAX YEAR 2024), WE SERVED 4,476 HOMEBOUND SENIORS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY WITH 709,311 MEALS, DAILY SAFETY CHECKS AND FRIENDLY VISITS USING 3,956 TRAINED VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATED 118,653 HOURS DRIVING OVER 690,000 MILES. WE ALSO PROVIDED "ANIMEALS'" TO 466 SENIOR PET COMPANIONS DURING THIS PERIOD. MEALS ON WHEELS CLIENTS REPORT IMPROVED HEALTH, SECURITY AND INDEPENDENCE. FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LITERALLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REMAINING IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND NEEDING TO RELOCATE TO A NURSING FACILITY. THE NUTRITIOUS MEAL, FRIENDLY VISIT AND SAFETY CHECK HELP THEM COPE WITH THREE OF THE BIGGEST THREATS OF AGING: HUNGER, ISOLATION AND LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE. RESEARCH PROVES THAT WHEN SENIORS HAVE THE RIGHT SUPPORT, THEY GAIN GREATER QUALITY OF LIFE, NEED FEWER HOSPITAL STAYS AND LIVE LONGER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 January 1972.

    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.