At first glance, Food For The Poor looks like a billion dollar non-profit and in a sense, it is but a closer look at this Florida-based non-profit shows that they actually raised about $148 million in 2017 including $11.3 million in government grants. $800 million in non-cash contributions – primarily pharmaceuticals, clothing, and household goods) make up the rest of the reported revenue.
The problem with including non-cash contributions as a part of revenue is that the value of these contributions may not be the market value, which some critics (including the Attorney General for the State of California who recently issued a cease and desist order to the popular charity) claim. Seems there is a disagreement over the value of the non-cash contributions and, specifically the value of pharmaceuticals.
Companies have been donating medications with very close expiration dates which means these pharmaceuticals can’t be used in the states, rendering their market value virtually worthless. These companies have been donating these pharmaceuticals to Food For The Poor with the stipulation they cannot distribute the medications in the United States. Instead, Food For The Poor gives them away “to the poorest of the poor in 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.” The pharmaceutical company gets the write-off at the full market value (which wouldn’t be the case if the drugs were donated to a non-profit that distributes the drugs in the US) and Food For the Poor gets an inflated revenue, making their expenses to revenue ratios look more efficient than what they are.
Given the contemptuous situation regarding non-cash contributions to Food For The Poor, the following analysis is based solely on the cash revenue reported in 2017 by Food For The Poor.
Food For The Poor employed 423 individuals in 2017 who were compensated $25.3 million, which equates to an average of $60,000 each. However, 23 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation including:
- $474,124: Robin G Mahford, President, CEO, Director
- $287,386: Angel Aloma, Executive Director
- $249,759: Alvaro J Pereira, Speakers Director
- $210,952: Natalie F Carlisle, Major Gifts Director
- $208,042: Mark Khori, VP
- $192,653: Dennis A North, CFO
- $178,849: Michael Anton, Projects Director
- $167,291: Arthur Goldklang, Shipping Director
- $165,420: Frederick Khouri, COO
In addition, it is important to point out the organization employs Kim Mahford, who is related to the President and CEO, Robin Mahford. Kim Mahford received $91,467 in 2017. Food For The Poor also employed Wendy Khouri, who is related to Mark Khouri, the COO. She was compensated $69,842 in 2017. It appears that Mark Khouri and Frederick Khouri are related.
It is also important to point out, Food For The Poor paid $90,000 to a “government grant writer” named Maria Santamarina in Vero Beach, Florida, who is actually an attorney.
To read the IRS Form 990 (2017), click here.
