FOOD WORKS
EIN 26-3662215 · Food Programs (K30)
What they do
Food Works is A Non-profit Organization Dedicated to Creating A Sustainable Food Economy In Southern Illinois. Through Farmer Training and Consumer Education, Food Works Promotes Long-term Farming Networks That Create Healthy Soils, Healthy Food, and Healthy Communities In The 23 Counties That Make Up Southern Illinois.
Should I give to this charity?
Of every $100 spent, about $85.30 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.
Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.
Basic facts we verified
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2025The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders34 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Worth asking: Expenses exceeded revenue by $60,163 this year. Ask whether that was planned or caused by a one-time event.
Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $57,751 for JENNIFER PAULSON (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.
Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
How each $100 of revenue was used
The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.
Expenses were greater than revenue, so the colored ring fills the available $100 and the total above 100% is shown below.
Has the pattern changed?
Colored bars = expense mix: how each year’s expenses were divided. Total expenses vs. revenue shows whether the charity spent less or more than it received. The current filing is first.
Money in and money out
Reported spending amounts
Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
People reported as paid
Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.
See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (34)
JENNIFER PAULSONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ELIZABETH MIKSO-DERUNTZDEPUTY DIRECTOR
ELLEN ESLINGFARMER SERVICES DIRECTOR
LIBBY ERVINASSISTANT DIRECTOR
KYLE J MCADAMSOPERATIONS COORDINATOR
SAMANTHA MAURORX MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
NOAH SCALEROFARM BEGINNINGS MANAGER
JENNIFER DUENSINGCOORDINATOR OF FARMER TRAINING PROGRAMS
MORGAN SCHMITTMFM MARKET ASST/WFM KIDS CLUB/SOL FARM MANAGER
ALESSANDRA NICHOLSONSOCIAL MEDIA / SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR
MILDRED K MATFELDT-BEMANMARKET ASSISTANT/EXTRA HELP
INDIGO ARLETTE SEILER-FULLERWFM MANAGER/MFM MARKET ASSISTANT
LOVA ANDERSSONMFM MARKET ASSISTANT
CHARLOTTE K ONEILLEXTRA HELP
ANNALEIGH GLORY STANWOODMARKET ASSISTANT
ELIZABETH VIRGINIA GRAZNAKINTERN
BLAYNE HARRISINTERN
MITCHELL ELSTONINTERN
JUSTIN NARUSISINTERN
JALEIGH PETERSONINTERN
DENA HAUNINTERN
DANIEL BRONSON HOULEINTERN
BRANDI LYBARGERINTERN
LEGAL ADVOCACY HEADQUARTERS LLCLEGAL ADVISOR
BROOKE KOHLBRECHERINTERN
SHANNON PEIFFEREXTRA HELP
PORTIA ROSE CARRERAINTERN
ILLINOIS FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATIONMARKET OUTLET
KATHRYN HEADSECRETARY
GLORIA QUERIAPA-VALDESBOARD MEMBER
DR JEB ASIRVATHAMPRESIDENT
NWAMAKA ANAZABOARD MEMBER
RUTH HAMBLETONTREASURER
AUR BECKBOARD MEMBER
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2009
- Location
- PO BOX 3855, CARBONDALE, IL 62902-3855
- County
- Jackson
- In care of
- % JENNIFER PAULSON
- Primary officer
- Jennifer Paulson, Executive Director
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2025
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2025
- Return type
- 990
- NTEE classification
- Food Programs (K30)
- IRS tax category
- Food Programs
- Grant-giving organization
- Yes