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Human Services : Food Banks, Food Pantries, and Food Distribution

Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank

Ending hunger in West Michigan

four stars

90.89

864 West River Center Drive Comstock Park, MI 49321
tel: (616) 784-3250   Web Site
EIN: 38-2439659

Board Leadership
Kelly Calvert
Board Chair

CEO
Kenneth R. Estelle
President & Chief Executive Officer

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 90.89 four stars
  Financial 87.13 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 100.00 four stars
This rating was published 12/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Since 1981, Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank has served as West Michigan's regional nonprofit clearinghouse for saved, donated food on its way from the food industry to churches and charity agencies that assist needy people. The food we distribute is drawn primarily from the surpluses and edible/useable errors of local and national food and grocery products companies. Through our seven warehouses, we serve roughly 1,300 food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, domestic violence shelters, rescue missions, and other charity agencies across 40 Michigan counties. Each year, we distribute close to 25 million pounds of food and other goods.

Since 1981, Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank has served as West Michigan's regional nonprofit clearinghouse for saved, donated food on its way from the food industry to churches and charity agencies that assist needy people. The food we distribute is drawn primarily from the surpluses and edible/useable errors of local and national food and grocery products companies. Through our seven warehouses, we serve roughly 1,300 food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, domestic violence shelters, rescue missions, and other charity agencies across 40 Michigan counties. Each year, we distribute close to 25 million pounds of food and other goods.

Impact Information

data icon
This charity has reported a measure of cost-effectiveness: how much impact (per dollar) your donation will have on the charity's social outcome. The cost-effectiveness calculation was performed using protocols developed by ImpactMatters, an independent auditor of philanthropic impact.

For nonprofits that run multiple programs, we highlight the impact of one program below.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Program Name: Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank
Program Activities
Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank collects, warehouses and distributes food to front-line organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens.
Impact Statement
$1 provides a meal to a person in need.
Impact Assessment
5/5
Assessment Benchmark
Impact assessments 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 a 5/5 assessment if they are less than 75% the cost of a meal and a 4/5 assessment if they are less than 125%. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the threshold for cost-effectiveness, it earns a 3/5 assessment.
Methodology
ImpactMatters analyzed publicly available data to rate the cost-effectiveness of Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank.
Data Source
Outcome data collected during the program. Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank publicly reports the amount of food it provides.
Method for Attributing 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 West Michigan Food Bank’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.
Details
Analysis conducted by ImpactMatters and published on November 22, 2019.
Few charities provide estimates of cost-effectiveness, but the measure is exactly what discerning donors need to make effective decisions about spending their philanthropic dollars. This charity has estimated cost-effectiveness using either the Guided Impact Reporting (G.I.R.) free app created by ImpactMatters or by undergoing a rigorous audit of its impact by ImpactMatters. The G.I.R. app guides the charity through a tightly scripted series of questions that generate an estimate of cost-effectiveness. The protocol takes all due account of estimates of counterfactual successes and other dictates of social science. Impact audits provide expert independent assessment of the charity's cost-effectiveness and evidence of effectiveness.
This impact information is current as of April 2020, when it was provided to us by ImpactMatters. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

87.13

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

100.00

This rating was published 12/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 97.6%
  Administrative Expenses 0.9%
  Fundraising Expenses 1.3%
  Fundraising Efficiency < $0.01
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.18
  Program Expenses Growth 0.1%
  Liabilities to Assets 6.0%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank (MI) 90.89 four stars
Sunshine Division, Inc. (OR) 93.91 four stars
God's Pantry Food Bank (KY) 100.00 four stars
Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (MI) 93.62 four stars
Feeding the Gulf Coast (AL) 96.46 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $44,034,482
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $548,748
Total Contributions $44,583,230
   Program Service Revenue $2,468,013
Total Primary Revenue $47,051,243
   Other Revenue $97,393
TOTAL REVENUE $47,148,636
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $45,958,408
   Administrative Expenses $471,462
   Fundraising Expenses $655,701
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $47,085,571
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $63,065
   
Net Assets $9,599,791

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Distribution to Food Pantries $45,958,408 100.0%

Ratings History
Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank has received 6 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-12 12/01/2019 90.89 four stars
2017-12 06/01/2019 91.70 four stars
2016-12 03/01/2018 92.73 four stars
2015-12 03/01/2017 95.15 four stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 95.36 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 02/01/2016 95.02 four stars
2013-12 07/01/2015 96.36 four stars
2012-12 03/01/2014 83.96 three stars
2011-12 03/01/2013 85.24 three stars
2010-12 03/01/2012 91.45 four stars
2009-12 09/20/2011 91.83 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 12/01/2010 96.50 four stars
2008-12 03/01/2010 90.66 four stars
2007-12 12/01/2008 90.23 four stars
2006-12 10/01/2007 85.05 three stars
2005-12 10/01/2006 82.63 three stars
2004-12 11/01/2005 84.77 three stars
2003-12 09/01/2004 74.52 two stars
2002-12 11/01/2003 80.67 three stars
2001-12 10/15/2002 78.39 two stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 38-2439659
Name in IRS Master File FEEDING AMERICA WEST MICHIGAN
NTEE Code [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Classification [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Type [Not Provided by IRS]
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (429) Other inner city or community benefit activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
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).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date March, 1983
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$136,645 0.29% Kenneth R. Estelle President, CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank (MI) 90.89 four stars
Chattanooga Area Food Bank (TN) 93.20 four stars
Missoula Food Bank (MT) 93.32 four stars
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (PA) 98.23 four stars
Fredericksburg Area Food Bank (VA) 91.71 four stars

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Charity Contact Info

Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank
864 West River Center Drive
Comstock Park, MI 49321
tel: (616) 784-3250
fax: (616) 784-3255
EIN: 38-2439659

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Kelly Calvert
Board Chair

CEO

Kenneth R. Estelle
President & Chief Executive Officer

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