The Giving Directory
✦

Hunger & Food Security

Feeding America

Network of food banks providing meals to millions facing hunger through food pantries and meal programs.

★★★★ 96% on Charity Navigator · checked Oct 2026

At a glance

Rating 96% 4 of 4 stars · Charity Navigator See the rating ↗
EIN (tax ID) 36-3673599 Tax-exempt since 1990 IRS filings ↗
Revenue (2023) $4.9B Expenses $4.9B
Founded 1979 United States

Rating and filings checked Oct 12, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check

Is Feeding America a good charity?

Feeding America holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 96%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $4.9B in revenue, up 74% from $2.8B in 2019, and $4.9B in expenses. Rating checked Oct 12, 2026.

Finances

From Feeding America's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as Feeding America).

Year Revenue Expenses Net assets Officer & key staff pay Filing
2023 $4.9B $4.9B $563.9M $7.1M 990 PDF
2022 $4.3B $4.2B $578.4M $6.0M 990 PDF
2021 $4.1B $3.9B $565.1M $5.9M 990 PDF
2020 $3.6B $3.3B $400.0M $4.4M 990 PDF
2019 $2.8B $2.8B $138.3M $5.6M 990 PDF

A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).

Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.

What charities in hunger & food security do

Hunger-focused organizations operate at two scales: emergency response (food banks, soup kitchens, disaster feeding) and structural change (school-meal programs, SNAP advocacy, agricultural development). The largest are network organizations like food banks that aggregate donated food and distribute it through partner pantries. Funding supports food procurement, refrigerated transport, partner-pantry capacity, and policy work on the root causes of hunger.

How to judge charities in this area

Look for charities that combine direct food distribution with policy work, not just feeding programs. Track ratio of food distributed to dollars raised — efficient food banks typically deliver $8+ worth of food per dollar donated. Be wary of high-overhead organizations that spend heavily on fundraising rather than food procurement and logistics.

How to support beyond a one-time gift

  • + Donate cash, not food — food banks can buy in bulk at a fraction of retail prices
  • + Monthly recurring gifts smooth out seasonal donation cycles (most giving spikes in November-December but hunger is year-round)
  • + Volunteer at a food bank — most operate on the labor of community members
  • + Advocate for SNAP, school-meal, and farm-to-table policy at the state and federal level
  • + Reduce food waste in your own household — household food waste is a major contributor to hunger paradoxes

Verify before you give

A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Feeding America:

Frequently asked

Is Feeding America a good charity?
Feeding America holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 96%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $4.9B in revenue, up 74% from $2.8B in 2019, and $4.9B in expenses. Rating checked Oct 12, 2026.
What is Feeding America's Charity Navigator rating?
Charity Navigator rates Feeding America 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 96% (checked Oct 12, 2026). Charity Navigator's score combines accountability and finance, leadership, impact measurement, and culture.
What is Feeding America's EIN?
Feeding America's employer identification number (EIN) is 36-3673599, registered with the IRS as Feeding America (Chicago, IL). Use it to look the charity up on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, Charity Navigator, or ProPublica.
How much money does Feeding America raise and spend?
Its 2023 Form 990 reports $4.9B in revenue, up 74% from $2.8B in 2019, and $4.9B in expenses. Total pay to current officers, directors and key employees was $7.1M. Full filings are on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer.
Are donations to Feeding America tax-deductible?
Feeding America is a US tax-exempt organization, recognized by the IRS since 1990. Gifts to 501(c)(3) charities are generally deductible if you itemize; confirm its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search with EIN 36-3673599.

Represent Feeding America? Add a free, self-updating rating badge to your website →