Food Lifeline

Analysis

Food Lifeline is a registered charity in United States, based in Seattle, WA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in June 1980, 46 years ago. Its declared purposes cover food, agriculture and nutrition, which this site groups under poverty relief. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Food Lifeline reported income of $157.5m and spending of $158.6m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $112.8m to $157.5m (+40%), an average of +8.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2020, when income rose by 31%. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.

Among 62,758 United States charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Food Lifeline sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within WA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Inc ($156.5m), People Assisting the Homeless ($159.5m) and Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission ($155.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 99% and program service revenue 0.6% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $1.1m (0.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $7.4m. It paid $608k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $35.7m against liabilities of $15.0m, net assets of $20.7m. It reported 132 employees.