# Foodwhat Incorporated

Youth development programs nonprofit in Santa Cruz, California 95064. EIN 81-2590280. Data as of November 8, 2026.

Page: https://backpr.com/find/nonprofit/812590280-foodwhat-incorporated

## Mission (the organization's own words)

> FoodWhat?! is a youth empowerment and food justice organization. Here youth engage in relationships with land, food, and each other in ways that are grounded in love and justice. We provide meaningful space where youth define and cultivate their empowerment, liberation, wellbeing.

Source: Form 990, year ending Dec 2025: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/812590280/202642339349300879/full

## IRS facts

- Type: Youth development programs (IRS activity code O50)
- Tax status: 501(c)(3), contributions deductible, recognized 2016
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf

## Finances (IRS Form 990 e-file data)

| Year ending | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Employees | Volunteers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | $4,436,494 | $1,901,452 | $4,662,813 | $4,567,071 | 58 | 6 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/812590280/202642339349300879/full) |
| Dec 2021 | $1,175,457 | $836,224 | $1,066,881 | $1,062,187 | 48 | 9 | [Form 990](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/812590280/202241789349300819/full) |

Expense split, year ending Dec 2025: programs $1,493,641 (79%), management $174,570 (9%), fundraising $233,241 (12%).

Revenue sources, year ending Dec 2025: gifts and grants $4,398,111, program fees $4,849, investment income $33,884.

Growth label: **Growing** (about +39% a year, Dec 2021 to Dec 2025). Growth label: we compare total revenue on the oldest and the newest return shown above. Growing means revenue rose by more than 10% a year on average, Shrinking means it fell by more than 10% a year, and Steady means a change between -10% and +10% a year. The rate is the compounded yearly average between the two returns, so it hides ups and downs in between (see the table). We only label groups with returns at least a year apart and at least $5,000 of revenue on the oldest one. This is our own calculation, not an IRS rating or a judgment of quality.

## How it compares

- Revenue rank: 1 of 10 youth development nonprofits in Santa Cruz.
- Revenue $4,436,494 is in the top 10% of 1,664 youth development nonprofits in California; median $169,823.
- Source: IRS Business Master File, posted October 13, 2026; BackPR analysis.

## Local context

- Santa Cruz County, California: about 46,196 children under 18 (U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2024): https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2024/counties/asrh/cc-est2024-agesex-all.csv
- 126 youth and community nonprofits in this directory in the county: 2.7 per 1,000 children.
- Licensed programs in Santa Cruz: 39 licensed child care centers, 10 school-age programs: https://backpr.com/find/california/santa-cruz
- California rules: https://backpr.com/resources/states/california

## Questions

**What is Foodwhat Incorporated's EIN?**

Foodwhat Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2590280. It is the nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify the organization. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File posted October 13, 2026.

**Is Foodwhat Incorporated a nonprofit?**

Yes. The IRS lists Foodwhat Incorporated in Santa Cruz, California as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), recognized since 2016. This is from the IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026. Status can change, so check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**Are donations to Foodwhat Incorporated tax-deductible?**

Yes, the IRS lists gifts to Foodwhat Incorporated as tax-deductible (IRS Business Master File posted October 13, 2026). How much you can deduct depends on your own taxes, and this is not tax advice. Check its current status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you donate.

**What does Foodwhat Incorporated do?**

In its own words on its Form 990 for the year ending Dec 2025: "FoodWhat?! is a youth empowerment and food justice organization. Here youth engage in relationships with land, food, and each other in ways that are grounded in love and justice. We provide meaningful space where youth define and cultivate their empowerment, liberation, wellbeing." The IRS classifies it as: Youth development programs.

**How much money does Foodwhat Incorporated take in?**

For the year ending Dec 2025, Foodwhat Incorporated reported total revenue of $4,436,494 and total expenses of $1,901,452 on its Form 990 (IRS Form 990 e-file data).

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Data as of November 8, 2026. Sources: IRS Business Master File, IRS Form 990 series e-file data, U.S. Census Bureau. No officer or staff names are published.