The 990 read · EIN 90-0678872 · CA · Fiscal year 2024

Food Forward

In its own words

“Food Forward(r) is one of the nation's largest independent urban produce recovery organizations.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated November 7, 2026

Top pay: $227K Richard Nahmias, 0.1% of spending
Revenue: $195.3M 99.3% from donations and grants
Spent: $193.4M 98.5% on programs, as reported
Net assets: $17.9M end of 2024
Savings: 1.1 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People: 65 employees, 2,111 volunteers

Form 990 (2024), Parts I, VII, IX, X

01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · 2024

Of each dollar it spent, 98.5¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.

98.5¢

Programs, $190.5M

0.6¢

Fundraising, $1.1M

0.9¢

Admin, $1.8M

Form 990 (2024), Part IX, line 25

Cost to raise $1

1¢

as reported

For each dollar donated, Food Forward spent 1¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $193.8M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX

03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 1.8% of program spending · $2.0M in grants $3.5M

Through its volunteer-powered community programs, food forward organizes thousands of dedicated volunteers annually to participate in harvests and gleans that fight hunger and reduce food waste. The flagship backyard harvest program provides fruit to partner organizations from harvests led by volunteers on hundreds of backyards, orchards, and other fruit tree properties. The farmers market recovery program is a market-endorsed donation system for farmers and vendors wanting to help fight hunger with their unsold produce; volunteers glean at the end of the markets and distribute to local…

Form 990 (2024), Part III

04 · The savings

Net assets: $400K to $17.9M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2024.

Net assets at year end, $ millions

Form 990 history via ProPublica Form 990 (2024)

05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in 2024, from the charity and related organizations.

Richard Nahmias

Founder/CEO

$226,957

Kristen Johnson

Chief Operating Officer

$190,534

Jennifer Cox

Chief Development Officer

$161,139

Diane Helfrey

Director of Finance & Accounting

$137,369

Jodi Jacobsen

Director of Human Resources

$129,110

Amir Zambrano

Managing Director of Programs

$128,518

Nkemdilim Nwosu

Director of Communications

$121,134

Samantha Teslik

Director of Community Programs

$107,824

Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section A

Largest outside contractors

Contractor	Service	Paid
Lion Power Express Inc	Third party driver	$229,750

Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section B

06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the Food Forward.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the Food Forward CEO make?

Richard Nahmias, Founder/CEO, received $226,957 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.1% of Food Forward's $193.4M in spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part VII

What percentage of Food Forward donations go to programs?

Food Forward reported 98.5% of 2024 spending as programs, 0.6% as fundraising and 0.9% as management.

Form 990 (2024), Part IX

How much money does Food Forward have?

Net assets were $17.9M at the end of 2024, about 1.1 months of spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part X

Does Food Forward have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (2024)

07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

Cite this page

Amir Arani, “Food Forward: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/food-forward/