The James Beard Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

The foundation's programs are committed to establishing a more sustainable food system through education, advocacy, and thought leadership. The foundation advocates for policies that make a more equitable and sustainable food system for all involved in the independent restaurant industry across three pillars: racial and gender equity, sustainability, and industry culture and practices. The james beard foundation supports legislation and programs that help turn restaurant jobs into long and healthy careers, and expand who receives access to leadership, visibility, financial stability, and capital. We mobilize a network of thousands of chefs to support jbf's policy priorities and their own advocacy efforts. From training programs to data-driven reports and a virtual education library, these programs aspire to give chefs and their colleagues a voice and the tools needed to make real and meaningful change to their businesses and in their communities. Program offerings include chef's boot camp for policy and change, which is the foundation of our ongoing industry advocacy programs, industry support, community programs, and sustainability initiatives, including the smart catch program, food waste reduction, and defining sustainability beyond the environmental context, to include social and economic resources, as well as considering equitable access for everyone within the food system. The foundation's climate solutions for restaurant survival campaign is dedicated to tackling the significant impact of climate change on independent restaurants, chefs, and the local economies they support. The foundation is bringing together chefs from across the country to raise awareness, educate federal policy makers, and galvanize action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.women's leadership programs aim to champion gender equality by supporting women throughout the lifecycle of their careers. We are committed to providing the tools, resources, and networks to the community to ensure that there are more women-owned businesses and more women in leadership across the industry. Our programs are focused on the pillars of finance, community and network, education and training, and wellness at work. These programs include the women's entrepreneurial leadership program and the financial literacy workshop for women.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 85.6%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 84.4%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.46 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -1.2%; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.48; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.63; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 13%; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.8% per year; rating input score 100; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.1% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.3% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings