Mission: MAKING SURE THAT NO ONE SUFFERS FROM WANT WHEN THERE IS A MEANS OF AIDING, EMBRACING AND SERVING ALL THOSE IN NEED. OUR PURPOSE IS TO BUILD ON THE GENEROUS NATURE OF ... (More)
White Pony Express is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 2014, and donations are tax-deductible.
Is this your nonprofit? Access the Nonprofit Portal to submit data and download your rating toolkit.
Important note on the timeliness of ratings
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Finance & Accountability score for White Pony Express is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Encompass Rating System by Charity Navigator
Overall Score
93
out of 100
This charity's score is a passing score.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 35% Finance & Accountability, 50% Impact & Results, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, and 5% Culture & Community
Learn about the Encompass Rating System: Overview | FAQ | Release Notes
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
80
out of 100
The score earned by White Pony Express is a passing score
This V6 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 2019, the latest year electronically filed and published by the IRS.
Finance & Accountability Report
80
of 100 points
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Program Expense Ratio
95.23%
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 |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Composition
7/7 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
No Audit
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
7.64%
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
Listed
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
Listed
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
GARY CONNER, PRESIDENT
$0
LORRAINE GRANIT, SECRETARY
$0
VINCE D'ASSIS, DIRECTOR
$0
JIM MAY, TREASURER
$0
CINDY GERSHEN, DIRECTOR
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2019
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:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
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.
White Pony Express reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We applied for and were approved for PPP loans in 2020 and 2021, which allowed us to continue to employ a full staff and shift payroll dollars to operations.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
During COVID demand for our food rescue services more than doubled from processing and distributing 7,000 lbs of fresh, nutritious food to an average of 15,000 pounds of food per day. In addition, when schools closed we 'lost' our School Pantry Program. A WPE School Pantry is like a grocery store at school, where hungry families can shop for fresh food free of charge with warm fellowship, recipe-sharing, and solidarity – no questions asked. With schools closed due to the pandemic, we had to find another way to get our rescued food to hungry families, most of whom are low-income Latinx and African Americans.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Since COVID started, WPE has nearly tripled its food rescue and delivery services, providing over 4.5 million pounds of fresh, healthy food annually. Through the efforts of our deeply dedicated team, we added a second large volunteer shift each day, allowing us to add 30 agencies to our food distribution schedule. Unfortunately, we still have 30 agencies on our waiting list. The supply is there, the demand is there, and we are working around the clock; we are only limited by our program’s operational capacity. In addition, WPE quickly adapted its School Pantry Program from an onsite, in-school program to a COVID-safe outdoor, drive-through model. WPE mapped our recipient's locations and created six, centrally located outdoor sites. This allowed WPE to continue to deliver 600-800 pounds of fresh food twice weekly.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
WPE is known throughout Contra Costa County for its flexibility and responsiveness. However, more than a dozen agencies remained on our waitlist during the explosive growth we experienced during COVID. To better meet the community's needs, we started an innovative program that will create a new collection and distribution system for smaller, more frequent donations we have been unable to pick up due to our capacity limitations. Using the Food Rescue Hero app (think GrubHub for food rescue), our Food Rescue DIRECT program will signal when food donors have excess food and an available “food runner” volunteer will pick up and deliver it directly to a matching food recipient organization. This new program will help thousands of food-insecure people, providing WPE with a new food donation model and exponentially expanding our volunteer base. The idea has resonated with the community and we plan to fully launch it in 2022.
Previous: Finance & Accountability / Next: Leadership & Adaptability
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
100
out of 100
White Pony Express is highly cost-effective, earning a passing score.
Impact
$1 provides a meal to a person in need.
Do you work at White Pony Express? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Impact & Results Report
100
of 100 points
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Rated Program
Program
White Pony Express Food Rescue
Activities
The nonprofit collects, warehouses and distributes food to front-line organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens.
Program Type
Food Distribution
Beneficiaries Served
Program Geography
Time Period of Data
1/1/20 to 12/31/20
Outcomes and Cost
Outcomes: Changes in the lives of those served by a nonprofit. They can be caused by the nonprofit.
Costs: The money spent by a nonprofit and its partners and beneficiaries.
Impact: Outcome caused by a nonprofit relative to its cost.
Cost-effectiveness: A judgment as to whether the cost was a good use of resources to cause the outcome.
Outcome Metric
A meal provided to a person in need
Outcome Data Source
Ratings are based on data the nonprofit itself collects on its work. We use the most recent year with sufficient data. Typically, this data allows us to calculate direct changes in participants' lives, such as increased income.
Outcome data collected during the program. The nonprofit submitted data on the amount of food it provides.
Method for Attributing Outcomes
We don't know if the observed changes were caused by the nonprofit's program or something else happening at the same time (e.g., a participant got a raise). To determine causation, we take the outcomes we observe and subtract an estimate of the outcomes that would have happened even without the program (i.e., counterfactual outcomes).
We assume that the distribution of a meal from one nonprofit's food distribution program does not diminish the amount of food distributed by any other (neighboring) food distribution program. This “counterfactual” assumption about the amount of food distributed in the absence of the nonprofit’s food distribution program implies that the benefit of a meal to a beneficiary in need constitutes a net gain; the gain is not offset by reductions in food provided to other beneficiaries in need. We therefore set the counterfactual to zero.
Cost Data Source
After estimating the program's outcomes, we need to determine how much it cost to achieve those outcomes. All monetary costs are counted, whether they are borne by a nonprofit service deliverer or by the nonprofit’s public and private partners.
Program cost data reported by the nonprofit. Partner and beneficiary costs reported by the nonprofit or estimated by Charity Navigator.
Cost Calculation
$1,260,000 program costs + $2,510,044 partner costs + $0 beneficiary costs = $3,770,044 total costs
Impact and Determination
We calculate impact, defined as the change in outcomes attributable to a program divided by the cost to achieve those outcomes.
Impact Calculation
$3,770,044 total costs / 3,465,630 meals provided = roughly $0.30 provides a meal to a person in need.
Benchmark for Rating
Impact & Results scores of food distribution programs are based on the cost of a meal relative to the cost that a food-secure person incurs to buy a meal in that county. Programs receive an Impact & Results score of 100 if they are less than 75% the cost of a meal and a score of 75 if they are less than 125%. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the benchmark for cost-effectiveness, it earns a score of 50.
Determination
Highly cost-effective
Analysis Details
Analysis conducted in 2022 by Charity Navigator using data submitted by the nonprofit, theory and evidence from scientific research studies, and public datasets.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
White Pony Express reported its three largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
$5,704,523
Spent in most recent FY
85%
Percent of program expenses
OUR FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM RESCUES HIGH QUALITY SURPLUS FOOD, DELIVERING IT TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SERVING THOSE IN NEED. WPE BUILT A BASE OF MORE THAN 400 VOLUNTEERS, PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 85 FOO ... (More)
$917,064
Spent in most recent FY
13%
Percent of program expenses
OUR WHITE PONY GENERAL STORE (WPGS) FREELY DISTRIBUTES NEW AND GENTLY USED CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, TOYS AND BOOKS. TO MAXIMIZE ITS REACH TO THOSE IN NEED, WPE BRINGS "MOBILE BOUTIQUE" EVENTS TO IMPOVER ... (More)
$60,640
Spent in most recent FY
0%
Percent of program expenses
WHITE PONY INN IS A PILOT PROGRAM IN WHICH VOLUNTEERS USE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, LIFE EXPERIENCES, AND LOVING KINDNESS FOR THOSE FACING HOMELESSNESS PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE PROVIDED INCLUDES WPE FOOD AN ... (More)
Previous: Impact & Results / Next: Culture & Community
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 White Pony Express 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
Our Guiding Principle Our guiding principle is unity. We honor the essential unity of all by making sure that no one suffers from want when there is a means of aiding, embracing, and serving all of us that are in need. Mission: At White Pony Express our mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Our vision is to build on the generous nature of Americans, so that a consciousness is born wherein it becomes natural for all to help one another. When that consciousness is widespread, there will be no more hunger and no more poverty.
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: To inaugurate the Food Rescue Direct program and engage at least 200, active users, on the innovative food rescue app by 2023.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Two: To increase efficiency through integrated data and improved technology, including deploying a new CRM by 2023.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: To increase multi-year donations to sustain WPE’s growth trajectory.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
In the last 18 months, the organization has funded two critical positions: the first-ever, full-time executive director and the first-ever, full-time chief operations officer. In addition, we have added a new board member and replaced a retiring board member.
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
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
WPE is involved in a number of external mobilization efforts, including: - Participation in the informal non-profit executive directors round table, which meets monthly; - Speaking engagements, including the recent (10/25/21) Interfaith Food Conference at which our Founder and Executive Director were presenters - Participation in the United Nations' Food Systems Game Changers Lab ahead of the first-ever UN Food Summit - Aggressive marketing of both WPE and food rescue through social media, advertising, and conference attendance - Support for CA Senate Bill 1383, which will require food establishments to give 20% of their leftover food to food recovery operations beginning in 2022
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.
Since COVID started, WPE has nearly tripled its food rescue and delivery services, providing over 4.5 million pounds of fresh, healthy food annually. Through the efforts of our deeply dedicated team, we added a second large volunteer shift each day, allowing us to add 30 agencies to our food distribution schedule. Our School Pantry program was also adversely affected. A WPE School Pantry is like a grocery store at school, where hungry families can shop for fresh food free of charge with warm fellowship, recipe-sharing, and solidarity – no questions asked. With schools closed due to the pandemic, we lost our primary delivery channel to reach the people in need. We quickly mapped our recipient's locations and negotiated with schools, the county, and other organizations to establish six outdoor, COVID-safe sites, which our recipients could drive through to receive 600-800 pounds of fresh food twice weekly.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Previous: Leadership & Adaptability
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves. Learn more about how and why we rate Culture & Community.
Culture & Community Score
100
out of 100
White Pony Express has earned a passing score. The organization provided data about how it listens to constituents (Constituent Feedback) (see report below).
The Culture & Community Beacon is comprised of the following metrics:
Constituent Feedback: 100/100 (100% of beacon score)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Not Scored
Culture & Community Report
100
of 100 points
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
This organization has not provided information regarding the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective DEI policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Methodology
We are utilizing data collected by Candid to document and assess the DEI practices implemented by the organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the Equity Strategies section of their Candid profiles to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Constituent Feedback
100/100 points
100% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. 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.
View this organization's Constituent Feedback Practices
Methodology
We've partnered with 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.
Learn more about the methodology.
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. Below you can find more information about the metrics we currently evaluate in this beacon and their relevance to nonprofit performance.
