Kitchen Inc

The information for Kitchen Inc is as of the organization's most recent filing in December '21. This organization is located in Springfield, MO. It has been in existence for 35 years, following its founding in 1986.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

The Kitchen Inc's NTEE code is P20. The "P" tells us that the organization is classified along with Human Service Organizations. The "20" tells us that the organization falls under the Major Classification of Human Services. The NTEE describes Human Service Organizations as those that provide a broad range of social services for individuals or families. These organizations may offer a variety of services from different sections, such as family counseling, substance abuse services, employment assistance, and services for at-risk youth. The Kitchen Inc is dedicated to bringing stability and purpose to people who are homeless. Their mission focuses on developing affordable housing, providing integrated community housing, and addressing the needs of homeless and at-risk youth.

Program Areas

The Kitchen's Housing and Community Outreach Programs work towards the prevention and elimination of homelessness in the Greater Springfield Community. They operate seven permanent housing programs, both on-site and in the community, to assist individuals in transitioning from homelessness to community housing. The Kitchen is a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) that has undertaken various projects, including low-income housing tax credit projects. In addition to housing, they offer a comprehensive range of support services such as case management, mental and physical healthcare, and access to mainstream benefit programs. The Kitchen also provides necessary items like furniture, housewares, and clothing to help individuals establish and maintain permanent housing.

Organization Staffing

Kitchen Inc is run by Meleah Spencer, who is the CEO. The organization has 58 employees, none of whom are paid more than $100k per year. Supporting the paid staff are 306 volunteers.

Board Governance

Kitchen Inc, the provided non-profit organization, appears to be well-governed based on the information provided. The organization has 15 voting members, all of whom are independent, indicating a diverse and unbiased decision-making process. The absence of potential conflicts of interest further strengthens the organization's governance, ensuring that decisions are made solely in the best interest of the organization and its mission. The fact that Kitchen Inc has not delegated management to an outside firm suggests that the board maintains direct control over the organization's operations, enabling them to closely monitor and oversee its activities. This hands-on approach is often indicative of effective governance. The documentation of board and committee meetings is another positive aspect of Kitchen Inc's governance. This practice ensures transparency and accountability, as it allows for a clear record of discussions, decisions, and actions taken during these meetings. Additionally, the existence of a conflict of interest policy, along with the requirement for disclosure of conflicts, demonstrates the organization's commitment to managing potential conflicts in an ethical and responsible manner. While Kitchen Inc does not have a written whistleblower policy, the presence of a document retention policy indicates that the organization values the proper management and preservation of important records. Furthermore, the substantiation and review of leadership salaries, coupled with the provision of copies of the 990 to the board prior to filing, highlights the organization's commitment to financial transparency and accountability. Overall, based on the information provided, Kitchen Inc appears to be well-governed, with policies and practices in place to ensure effective decision-making, transparency, and ethical conduct within the organization.

Organization Growth

Kitchen Inc, a nonprofit organization, has experienced a decrease in its contributions and grants received over the given time period, from $11.6 million in 2014 to $4.0 million in 2021. However, there has been an increase in program service revenue, from $120.1 thousand in 2014 to $359.4 thousand in 2021, indicating growth in this area. Additionally, the organization has seen an increase in investment income, from $40.5 thousand in 2014 to $168.3 thousand in 2021, as well as an increase in other revenue, from $41.0 thousand in 2014 to $94.0 thousand in 2021. Despite these positive developments, the total revenue of Kitchen Inc has decreased over the given time period, from $11.8 million in 2014 to $4.6 million in 2021. The organization has also experienced a decrease in employee salaries, from $1.9 million in 2014 to $1.5 million in 2021, and a decrease in total expenses, from $12.1 million in 2014 to $3.8 million in 2021. Furthermore, there has been a decrease in the number of total employees, from 121 in 2014 to 58 in 2021, as well as a decrease in the number of total volunteers, from 6.0 thousand in 2014 to 306 in 2021. Overall, while Kitchen Inc has seen some areas of growth, such as program service revenue and investment income, the organization has experienced a decrease in several key aspects, including contributions and grants received, total revenue, employee salaries, total expenses, total employees, and total volunteers.