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Salem VA | IRS ruling year: 1999 | EIN: 54-1939556
Organization Mission
Since 1981, the Feeding America Southwestern Virginia (formerly Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank) has provided millions of pounds of food and related p ... (More)
Since 1981, the Feeding America Southwestern Virginia (formerly Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank) has provided millions of pounds of food and related product to approximately 380 partner agencies that directly serve the families and individuals in need of emergency food assistance. Our partner agencies include nonprofit food pantries, children's feeding programs, shelters, soup kitchens, and elderly care facilities. We strive to serve, at the lowest cost possible, hungry people - children, adults, the elderly, and the less fortunate by any definition - by collaborating with an ever-widening network of nonprofit and faith-based food distribution agencies throughout our 26-county service area. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 35% Accountability & Finance, 50% Impact & Results, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Results. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
| Date Published | Overall Rating | ||
| 8/3/2021 |  | ||
| 5/1/2020 | | ||
| 3/1/2019 | | ||
| 6/1/2018 | | ||
| 10/1/2017 | | ||
| 10/1/2016 | | ||
| 6/1/2016 | | ||
| 11/1/2015 | | ||
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 10/1/2014 | | ||
| 9/1/2014 | | ||
| 9/1/2013 | | ||
| 7/1/2012 | | ||
| 5/1/2012 | | ||
| 9/20/2011 | | ||
| 3/1/2011 | | ||
| 4/1/2010 | | ||
| 3/1/2009 | | ||
| 6/1/2008 | | ||
| 3/1/2007 | | ||
| 4/1/2006 | | ||
| 2/1/2005 |  | ||
| 3/1/2004 | | ||
Score
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 93% independent members10 out of 10 points Majority Independent Board Members - 93% independent members10 out of 10 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 14 independent members10 out of 10 points Independent Board Size - 14 independent members10 out of 10 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee20 out of 20 points Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee20 out of 20 points
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 |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $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
Material Diversion of Assets - None20 out of 20 points Material Diversion of Assets - None20 out of 20 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed5 out of 5 points Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS 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 - Listed5 out of 5 points Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS 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
Whistleblower Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points Whistleblower Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS 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
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed5 out of 5 points Document Retention and Destruction - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS 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
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes5 out of 5 points Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS 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
Tax Form Distributed to Board Before Filing - Listed5 out of 5 points Tax Form Distributed to Board Before Filing - Listed5 out of 5 points
Providing copies of the IRS Form 990 to the governing body prior to filing is considered a best practice, as it allows for thorough review by the individuals charged with overseeing the organization. The Form 990 asks the charity to disclose whether or not it has followed this best practice.
Loans to/from Officers - Missing5 out of 5 points Loans to/from Officers - Missing5 out of 5 points
Making loans to related parties, such as key officers, staff, or Board members, is not standard practice in the sector as it diverts the charity's funds away from its charitable mission and can lead to real and perceived conflict-of-interest problems.
The IRS requires charities to disclose on their Form 990 any loans to or from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and other "disqualified persons." Some state laws go so far as to prohibit loans to board members and officers.
Although employees and trustees are permitted to make loans to charities, this practice can also result in real and/or perceived conflict of interest problems for the charity. Furthermore, it is problematic because it indicates that the organization is not financially secure. Our analysts check to see if any loans have been made.
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 25.40%25 out of 25 points Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 25.40%25 out of 25 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 95.53%25 out of 25 points Program Expense: Ratio - 95.53%25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency: Ratio - $0.0225 out of 25 points Fundraising Efficiency: Ratio - $0.0225 out of 25 points
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Working Capital: Ratio - 0.35 years25 out of 25 points Working Capital: Ratio - 0.35 years25 out of 25 points
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed IRS Form 990. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
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
Pamela Irvine, President/ce
$128,520
Robert Frampton, Chief Oper.
$116,088
Lisa Claytor, Chief Dev. O
$101,837
David Argabright, Chief Financ
$98,147
Allison Mcgee, Chief Strat.
$75,012
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2022
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
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)
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 search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Feeding Southwest Virginia) or EIN (541939556) in the 'Search Term' field.
Score
This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Learn more
Program
Food Bank, Children's Feeding Programs, Harvest Home Community Kitchen, Mobile Food Pantry and Veggie Mobile
Activities
Feeding America Southwest Virginia primarily collects, warehouses and distributes food to front-line organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. It also manages smaller programs that serve meals and provide groceries directly to beneficiaries.
Program Type
Food Bank
Beneficiaries Served
People living in poverty, children and youth
Program Geography
35 counties in VA
Time Period of Data
7/1/16 to 6/30/17
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. Feeding America Southwest Virginia publicly reports 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 Feeding America Southwest Virginia’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.
We collect cost information for this program from publicly available reports and from form 990 data from the IRS.
Cost Calculation
This impact rating was produced under a previous methodology that is no longer used to produce new ratings, and we are therefore unable to produce dollar-specific cost calculations.
We calculate impact, defined as the change in outcomes attributable to a program divided by the cost to achieve those outcomes.
Impact Calculation
This impact rating was produced under a previous methodology that is no longer used to produce new ratings, and we are therefore unable to produce dollar-specific calculations.
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 80 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 65.
Determination
Highly cost-effective
Score
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points Constituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
100% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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
Equity Practices - No Data AvailableUnscored Equity Practices - No Data AvailableUnscored
This organization has not provided information regarding the Equity Practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. This assessment demonstrates the importance of implementing practices that contribute positively to an organization's overall culture, both internally and with respect to community engagement. Furthermore, equity centered frameworks and similar approaches have drawn much attention from donors, experts, and sector leaders who underscore its value to the nonprofit's overall health and capacity for mission success. Currently, the Equity Strategies Checklist assessment consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in their operations and programs (per the Equity Strategies checklist administered by Candid). As we refine our DEI assessment, Charity Navigator partners with DEI consultants and field experts to broaden and deepen this work.
Score
This beacon 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.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Since 1981, the Feeding America Southwestern Virginia (formerly Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank) has provided millions of pounds of food and related product to approximately 380 partner agencies that directly serve the families and individuals in need of emergency food assistance. Our partner agencies include nonprofit food pantries, children's feeding programs, shelters, soup kitchens, and elderly care facilities. We strive to serve, at the lowest cost possible, hungry people - children, adults, the elderly, and the less fortunate by any definition - by collaborating with an ever-widening network of nonprofit and faith-based food distribution agencies throughout our 26-county service area.
Vision 10/10 points Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
We believe access to nutritious food is a cornerstone to human potential. We succeed by engaging our
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Nourish Neighbors
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Engage Community Partners
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Three: Develop Solutions to Address Food Insecurity
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Leadership Development 15/15 points Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
As a member of the Feeding America national network of food banks, we have access to development resources such as insight training, national collaborative meetings, and strategic planning opportunities. These resources allow us to pull from, and build upon, a collective knowledge, as well as cultivate successful leaders within our organization.
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
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
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Feeding Southwest Virginia is built upon a foundation of collaboration. As the hub of 387 partner feeding programs, we work together with programs including food pantries and programs for children and seniors to reach our neighbors facing hunger in every corner of our 26-county, nine-city service area. We provide our partners with the food, training, oversight, and resources that they rely on to operate. Additionally, FSWVA is a locally owned and operated member of the national Feeding America network of food banks, as well as a member of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. Through these memberships, FSWVA collaborates, shares ideas, utilizes data, and advocates for positive local, state, and federal policy reform to ensure that its operations always meet the current needs of those it serves. Feeding Southwest Virginia is dedicated to building upon a 40-year proven track record, and developing successful and innovative strategies for the future.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Feeding Southwest Virginia is continuously adapting to the ever-changing financial climate of the areas we serve. In the past year, we have seen sharp increases in the costs of food and diesel fuel, the two most vital components of our food distribution. FSWVA understands that we are currently entering a particularly difficult financial landscape — one that will likely drive more people toward the resources we offer. In times of heightened need such as this one, FSWVA attempts to shoulder the weight of those increasing expenses so that our clients never experience a shortcoming in the services we offer. This was never more vital than during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of that global catastrophe, FSWVA was quick to provide relief, as it has for every disaster that strikes Southwest Virginia. We are immensely grateful to the donors who prioritized our operations at the onset of the pandemic, and therefore enabled us to address the heightened need that occurred. Through their support, we were able to adapt by adjusting the framework of our food distribution to a non-congregate, direct distribution model. And now, as the world attempts to return to a semblance of normal, FSWVA faces legislative obstacles such as the ending of the USDA Child Nutrition Waivers. The waivers allowed food banks such as ours to give children in need food to take home. With the recent announcement that the waivers will be far more restrictive, we are creating strategies to safely return to the models of distribution that we had before COVID-19. Here at Feeding Southwest Virginia, we believe access to nutritious food is a cornerstone to human potential. We succeed by engaging our communities. We embrace diversity of thought, programs, and people. And we understand that as the needs of our neighbors evolve, so must we.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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