Mission: OPEN TABLE ADDRESSES HUNGER IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING HEALTHY FOOD IN A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHILE RESPECTING THE DIGNITY OF THOSE SERVED. WE ACHIEVE OUR ... (More)
Open Table Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1993, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Encompass Rating System by Charity Navigator
Overall Score
95
out of 100
This charity's score is a passing score.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 85% Finance & Accountability, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, and 5% Culture & Community
Learn about the Encompass Rating System: Overview | FAQ | Release Notes
This organization is potentially eligible for a Charity Navigator Star Rating. Vote Now to request to have our analyst team rate Open Table Inc. for a Star Rating. The organization currently has 3 votes.
Finance & Accountability
This score provides an assessment of a nonprofit's financial health (stability, efficiency and sustainability) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Finance & Accountability Score
94
out of 100
The score earned by Open Table Inc. is a passing score
This V5 of the Finance & Accountability Score provides a baseline measure of an organization’s health including the indicators listed in the report below.
This score represents Form 990 data from 2020, the latest year electronically filed and published by the IRS.
Finance & Accountability Report
94
of 100 points
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Program Expense Ratio
93.98%
Higher effect on score
More data
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense percentage AND Liabilities to Assets |
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Composition
14/14 Independent
Higher effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review
Audited
Higher effect on score
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
1.95%
Lower effect on score
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Website
Listed
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy
Listed
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes
Documented
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction
Missing
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy
Missing
Lower effect on score
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Additional Information
Unscored
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Total Revenue and Expenses
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
JILL BLOCK, BOARD CHAIR
$0
PATTY CHAMBERS, CLERK
$0
STEFANIE CLOUTIER, DIRECTOR
$0
GINA CUMMINGS, DIRECTOR
$0
BRENDON DONNELLAN, DIRECTOR
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Business Master File Data
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Supplying money, goods or services to the poor (BMF activity code: 560)
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources: IRS Forms 990
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).
Pandemic Response
Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Open Table Inc. reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We were very fortunate to receive increased support during the COVID-19 crisis. The media attention on the dramatic increase in food insecurity helped make our work more visible to donors and granting organizations. Although the decision making and processes for several grants that we applied for before COVID-19 were delayed, several other grants became available due to the pandemic.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
We saw in increase in need, particularly among individuals and families that had never visited a food pantry before. Although we never missed a week of service to our clients, we did dramatically alter our operations model to ensure the safety of all involved. We had to cancel our community dinners, but expanded our prepared meals to serve more people than previously served at the dinners. We greatly expanded our mobile partnerships and programs to reach more people more directly.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We switch our fresh air pantry to an open-air drive-thru model. Later we added online ordering to better incorporate choice into the model. We suspended our weekly community meals, but quickly expanded our prepared meals program to continue feeding those that would have come and more.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We've learned that our prepared meals are in high demand by our clients, and will continue to expand the program. We developed great partnerships with local COAs and other town agencies to better identify and reach those in need, and hope to build further partnerships. We have learned more about the cultural and health needs of those we serve, and will continue to expand our offerings to best fit those needs.
Impact & Results
This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Impact & Results Score
Not Currently Scored
Open Table Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Do you work at Open Table Inc.? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Open Table Inc. reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
$1,372,402
Spent in most recent FY
97%
Percent of program expenses
STOCKED AND STAFFED FOOD PANTRIES AND SERVED MEALS TO UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT CONCORD AND MAYNARD LOCATIONS AND THROUGH THE NEWLY LAUNCHED MOBILE PANTRY IN HUDSON, MASSACHUSETTS.
$27,512
Spent in most recent FY
1%
Percent of program expenses
DEVELOPED AND OPERATED A UNIQUE FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM IN WHICH SURPLUS FOODS WERE TURNED INTO HEALTHY PREPARED MEALS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO OUR GUESTS THROUGH OUR FOOD PANTRY AND MOBILE PROGRAMS.
$2,232
Spent in most recent FY
0%
Percent of program expenses
CONVENED FOOD SECURITY DISCUSSIONS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MAKE SURE ALL SOURCES OF FOOD RELIEF WERE KNOWN AND AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN NEED OF FOOD.
Leadership & Adaptability
This score provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Leadership & Adaptability Score
100
out of 100
The score earned by Open Table Inc. is a passing score.
Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of the organization's Leadership & Adaptability through the nonprofit organization submitting a survey response directly to Charity Navigator.
Leadership & Adaptability Report
100
of 100 points
Mission
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s mission
Open Table’s mission is to address hunger in our local community by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment that respects the dignity and diversity of those served. We achieve our mission by: Offering a wide variety of healthy and culturally appropriate food choices in our pantry and meal programs. Engaging a team of diverse, committed and passionate staff and volunteers
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
We strive to end hunger by removing the barriers to food caused by race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, income and age.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Strategic Goals
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Identify unmet food needs in our service area and create strategies to address that need and remove the barriers to access. Expand our mobile and prepare meals to bring the food to those in need.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Further our understanding of the cultural, health, and other food needs (food sovereignty) of our client population and source and distribute appropriate food with client choice
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Three: Monitor the physical infrastructure for its ability to support the mission of the organization and make recommendations for necessary improvements
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Our executive Director is currently attending at Fundraising Certificate program offered through Philanthropy Massachusetts to help us better understand how to generate good fundraising and communications plans. Feedback and ideas from classes is being disseminated to other staff and committee members.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Mobilizing for Mission
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Many of our mobile programs are run in partnership with town agencies, COAs or local nonprofits such as B&G Clubs. This helps lower the stigma often associated with accessing food pantries. We have developed Food Relief Network groups in Concord and Maynard that join nonprofit leaders, politicians, town services, local business leaders and other stakeholders in discussions related to food insecurity in our community. We also participate in many town festivals and activities (as COVID conditions allow), raising awareness of our mission while growing our relationships with other area businesses and families. We post frequently on social media about hunger issues, and our and our supporters efforts to address them.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Story of Adaptability
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
The past year brought many changes, and our organization was able to be nimble and flexible, rapidly responding to the increased need while keeping our clients, volunteers, and staff as safe as possible. The original cornerstone of our organization, our twice-weekly community dinners, had to be suspended due to COVID-related restrictions on in-person dining. We quickly understood that although the social aspects of the meals could not be as easily replicated virtually, we could continue to feed those that had been attending, by packaging our meals in single-serve containers. We expanded our refrigeration capabilities, and purchased packaging equipment increase our meal capacity. Our professional-chef created prepared meals are now in high demand as we move from serving around to 200 meals/week to well over 600 (with a goal of 1000). The meals provide tasty, healthy nutrition, but also allow better serve those limited cooking capabilities, time pressures, and other issues preventing them from being able to prepare good meals regularly.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's engagement with the constituents it serves, a practice we term Constituent Feedback. When organizations listen to constituents, they are able to better deliver on programs and meet the needs of stakeholders. A future version of this Beacon will also assess an organization's people operations and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) metrics.
Culture & Community Score
100
out of 100
The score earned by Open Table Inc. is a passing score.
Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of an organization's Culture and Community by measuring its Constituent Feedback practices (see report below). Constituent Feedback data provides 100% of the basis for the initial evaluation of the Culture & Community Beacon.
Culture & Community Report
100
of 100 points
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Constituent Feedback
Full Credit
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback.
Here's how this organization is listening and learning from the people they serve:
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Paper surveys, Community meetings or town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, Other means
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don't have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, Other means
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
One of the communities that we serve has many residents of Brazilian decent. In order to better serve this community we added Portuguese language information to our online ordering on our website and have translators available on our phone ordering system. Through our outreach surveys and ordering process we further learned which grocery items were desired by the community. Our standard grocery bags tended to include items to cook "American"-style meals. We have since updated the contents of the bags delivered to this community to be more culturally appropriate; leading to more satisfied clients and less waste. This feedback also lead us to reflect on what other changes could be made to best provide the various populations we serve.
Methodology
Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective. We've partnered with GuideStar by Candid to survey organizations about their feedback practices. Nonprofit organizations can fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile to receive a rating.
Charity Navigator awards full credit for this Beacon to every nonprofit that is eligible for an Encompass Rating that completes the survey, in recognition of their willingness to publicly share this information with the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. This data is not evaluated for quality at this time. Validation will be added in future iterations of this Beacon.
Analysis and Research
Like the overall Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as metrics are developed and ready for integration. Our partnership with Feedback Labs and Guidestar by Candid, and other partners including Fund for Shared Insight, GlobalGiving, and Keystone Accountability, enables us to launch the first version of this beacon with Constituent Feedback information collected on Candid's site.
Feedback practices have been shown to support better Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outcomes, an essential area of assessment that we intend to further expand and develop in the future. Feedback Labs has documented several studies which indicate that beyond achieving organizational goals, nonprofits that are attentive and responsive to concerns and ideas raised by beneficiaries establish stronger relationships with the people they serve, promote greater equity, and empower constituents in ways that can help to ensure better long-term outcomes. You can find resources to help nonprofits improve their feedback practices here.
