The James Beard Foundation
The James Beard Foundation reported $22.9 million in revenue and $23.2 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $84.44 went to program services, $10.83 to management and general costs and $4.73 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 62.6% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $510,788 (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER). 16 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 26% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $23MFor context, the median across 2,433 covered unclassified charities: $88.27 programs, $11.68 management, $0.05 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $23MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 84.4% | 86.7% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 10.8% | 11.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 4.7% | 0.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.13 | $0.01 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 35.7% | 29.9% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 3.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 62.6% | 58.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $510,788 | $301,601 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.20% | 1.38% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 16 | 6 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 2.1 | 6.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 24 of 24 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseThe James Beard Foundation awards: the mission of the James Beard awards is to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media and the broader food system, as well as demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability and a culture where all can thrive. These annual awards are high honors for food and beverage professionals working in the US. Awards categories include cookbooks, restaurant and chefs, broadcast media and journalism. Nominees and award winners are selected by their industry peers (fully independent of James Beard…
Other events: this program includes general sponsorships, which cover foundation wide support as well as jbf greens events. James Beard Foundation greens is an event series in new york city, chicago, los angeles, seattle, and san francisco for food lovers in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Enjoy curated culinary experiencesfrom multi-course dinners to walk-around tastingsthat connect you with visionary chefs shaping today's food landscape and spaces to engage with fellow diners
The James Beard Foundation partners with leaders and experts in the academic field to conduct original research to diagnose the key issues facing the independent restaurant industry today. Data-driven insights and thought leadership informs how we direct our resources to best support our community to survive and thrive. Our work includes education and advocacy, including programs such as chef's bootcamp for policy and change, womens' entreprenurial leadership, and financial literacy education programs. Our programs aspire to give chefs and industry professionals a voice and the tools they…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $485,369 | $0 | $25,419 | $510,788 |
| CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $406,486 | $0 | $15,659 | $422,145 |
| CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $250,975 | $0 | $19,755 | $270,730 |
| VP OF AWARDS Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $210,918 | $0 | $16,445 | $227,363 |
| VP OF EVENTS Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $191,619 | $0 | $31,532 | $223,151 |
| VP OF COMMUNICATIONS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $185,796 | $0 | $36,737 | $222,533 |
| VP OF DEVELOPMENT Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $195,389 | $0 | $25,548 | $220,937 |
| VP OF COMMUNITY Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $201,656 | $0 | $13,673 | $215,329 |
16 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from The James Beard Foundation (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $2.1M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b24 · 24 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 573
- Volunteers Part I, line 650
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| INTERSPORT Sponsorship relations/commission& video | $2,747,934 |
| BOWEN & COMPANYLLC Awards, taste america, and gala event pl | $860,853 |
| SIMPLISSIMUS Branding / graphic designer | $400,000 |
| WAGSTAFF MEDIA & MARKETING Public relations services | $293,665 |
| GREAT PERFORMANCES Catering and managed services provider | $206,045 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 9 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
15 private foundations reported grants to The James Beard Foundation totaling $283K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from The James Beard Foundation's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for The James Beard Foundation, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 The James Beard Foundation spent in FY2025, $84.44 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Seattle Children's Guild AssociationSeattle, WA · revenue $23M · programs 93.4% · FY2025
- Goodwill of the Southern AllegheniesJohnstown, PA · revenue $23M · programs 89.6% · 2025
- CcriMoorhead, MN · revenue $23M · programs 89.3% · 2024
- Visiting Nurse Association of FloridaStuart, FL · revenue $23M · programs 83.2% · FY2025
- Northwest Immigrant Rights ProjectSeattle, WA · revenue $23M · programs 84.6% · 2024
Questions people ask
How much of The James Beard Foundation's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, The James Beard Foundation reported that 84.4% of its $23.2 million in expenses went to program services, 10.8% to management and general and 4.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does The James Beard Foundation pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation The James Beard Foundation reported for one person in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 was $510,788, for the role of CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does The James Beard Foundation get its money?
Of $22.9 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, 35.7% came from contributions and grants and 62.6% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is The James Beard Foundation a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 13-2752108 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, object 202620369349301512 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, object 202530449349301328 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, object 202440469349302319 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, object 202300469349301015 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, object 202210409349301646 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, object 202140409349300814 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 13-2752108: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.