Mothers' Milk Bank California

What it reported doing in 2024

Mothers' milk bank California collects excess breast milk from volunteer breastfeeding mothers, stores the breast milk for optimal nutritional value, processes the breast milk to remove pathogens that may cause illness, and distributes the donor human milk to hospitals and families. As a charter member of the human milk banking association of north america (hmbana) and an accredited hmbana milk bank, the organization follows rigorous standards for the safe processing and distribution of donor human milk - standards that serve as the basis of operation for all milk banking organizations. Mothers' milk bank California is also licensed as a tissue bank in California and Maryland and registered with the federal food and drug administration (fda). The organization hosts virtual and in-person milk and donor drives throughout the year, enabling community partners to promote milk donations and providing donors the convenience of donating either from home or by dropping off the milk at one of our centers. With 9 milk collection centers, the organization also offers additional services, including breastfeeding support and resources for all, wic support, and hospital-based services tailored to the needs of different communities. In 2024, mothers' milk bank California celebrated 50 years of service, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support infants in need. As part of this celebration, the organization rebranded by adding "California" to its name to highlight both its legacy and the service area across the state. The organization also expanded its marketing, communications, and public relations efforts, boosting awareness of the milk bank's work. Additionally, the organization's existing services support families across California and throughout the united states, ensuring that babies in need of donor human milk have access to it no matter where they live. Mothers' milk bank California focused on increasing its processing and pasteurizing capacity to meet the growing demand for donor human milk. The organization worked with 1,686 approved donors and 140 hospitals, distributing nearly 1.34 million ounces of pasteurized donor human milk (pdhm). This included approximately 826,000 ounces for inpatient use and about 521,000 ounces for outpatient use. On average, the organization dispensed 112,000 ounces of pdhm each month to meet both inpatient and outpatient needs. This collaborative effort reflects the organization's strong commitment to supporting infants in need and showcases the community's dedication to making a lasting impact.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 71.9%; rating input score 72
• Program expense ratio: 80.2%; rating input score 80
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.24 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 12.2%; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.83; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.3%; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.3% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.9% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.4% per year; rating input score 100; 31st percentile among comparable filings