The James Beard Foundation Inc
Good Food for Good
The James Beard Foundation Inc
EIN: 13-2752108
as of September 2025
as of September 09, 2025
Mission
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and lead chefs and the broader culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence.
Ruling year
1986
Chief Executive Officer
Clare Reichenbach
Main address
34 W 15th St
New York City, NY 10011-6815 USA
EIN
13-2752108
Climate change
Agriculture, fishing and forestry
Sustainable agriculture
Entrepreneurship
Environmental justice
Population served
Adults
Activists
Farmers
NTEE code
Single Organization Support (D11)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download annual reportsWhat we aim to solve
Independent restaurants are the backbone of America’s food culture, economy, and communities. Yet they face severe challenges—thin profit margins, limited access to capital, workforce shortages, and the growing impacts of climate change. Women, immigrants, and entrepreneurs of color remain underrepresented in ownership and leadership, while sustainability and equity gaps threaten long-term industry viability. The James Beard Foundation works to ensure chefs and independent restaurants not only survive but thrive, advancing an equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system that reflects and uplifts the full diversity of American food culture.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Climate Solutions For Restaurant Survival
Our Climate Solutions for Restaurant Survival (CSRS) initiative, launched in 2024, mobilizes chefs and operators to reduce emissions, cut food waste, and implementsustainable practices to protect the environment and the future of the industry. This program highlights the leadership role chefs can play in addressing climate change andprovides operators with practical strategies to improve efficiency and resilience. To date, the campaign has generated 88 lawmaker meetings, 20 in-person educational events with 1,667 participants, over 2,500 chef mobilization actions, and1.4 billion media impressions.
Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change
Since 2012, Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change has inspired and trained chefs around the country to mobilize in support of policy decisions that impact our food system. Hundreds of chef-advocates have successfully lobbied to provide nutritious school meals, protect SNAP recipients, support American fisheries, reduce food waste, and fight for safer, more regenerative food production across the United States. The James Beard Foundation’s Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change provides a unique opportunity for civically and politically minded chefs to become more effective leaders for industry and food-system change. During thematic retreats around the country, participants receive advocacy and media training while learning about important issues, policies, challenges, and opportunities facing the food system.
James Beard Foundation Awards
The James Beard Awards, aka the James Beard Foundation Awards, are considered the food industry’s highest honor. Time magazine called them “the Oscars of the food world.” Through the Awards we promote good food for good™ by recognizing those who are making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. Awards are given within six main categories: Restaurant and Chef, Book, Journalism, Broadcast, and Leadership. The mission of the James Beard Awards is to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.
Legacy Network
The James Beard Foundation Legacy Network trains emerging leaders across the culinary industry and connects them with future generations of excellence. By developing and cultivating the capabilities among, and peer groups of, these influential professionals, Legacy advances the equitable, culturally relevant leadership required to strengthen the industry. Each protégé, under the guidance of Legacy advisors, becomes part of a powerful network that centers the professional growth of previously underserved communities. The Legacy Network ensures their career paths are diverse, equitable, and sustainable. Legacy Network is open to all BIPOC, though, Black/African-Americans and Indigenous heritage persons are currently prioritized.
Women's Leadership Programs
The James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Programs (WLP) aim to champion gender and racial equity by supporting women throughout the lifecycle of their careers. We look to address the root causes and challenges women face in their professional advancement. We do so in partnership and in collaboration with other women-led organizations. 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. We do so through programming within the pillars of finance, community and network, education and training, and wellness at work. This includes the Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership program, partnerships with Cornell University, mentorship, scholarships, and more.
Where we work
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United States
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of New Bootcamp Participants
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Context Notes
Total of Bootcamp Alums 442
Post Nomination/Award Impact % Increase in Covers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
James Beard Foundation Awards
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Context Notes
73% of 2023 semifinalists saw an increase in covers; 11% saw a 75% increase; 21% saw a 50% increase; and 43% saw a 25% increase
Number of Program Participants
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Women's Leadership Programs
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The James Beard Foundation (JBF) leads chefs and the broader culinary industry toward a new standard of excellence anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. Our goals center on strengthening the independent restaurant industry, advancing leadership and innovation, and driving systemic change across the food system.
Core Goals:
Strengthen the Independent Restaurant Industry
Provide research, education, and leadership training that build business resilience, improve access to capital, and create equitable career pathways.
Advance Policy Change
Mobilize and empower chefs as advocates to shape policies that support sustainability, workforce development, and equitable opportunity.
Celebrate and Redefine Excellence
Through the James Beard Awards, honor culinary leaders whose work models innovation, equity, and sustainability, setting new benchmarks for the industry.
Engage Consumers Nationwide
Create programs and dining experiences—such as Platform by JBF, Taste America, and Greens—that connect the public with chefs and food culture, expanding awareness of the value and challenges of independent restaurants.
Ensure Long-Term Organizational Sustainability
Strengthen philanthropic partnerships, diversify revenue streams, and invest in systems and staff capacity to ensure enduring mission impact.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
JBF’s strategies are designed to translate our mission into measurable outcomes across research, education, advocacy, recognition, and public engagement.
1. Research and Insights
Partner with industry leaders to produce data-driven studies on economic viability, labor conditions, and sustainability in independent restaurants. Findings inform new tools, resources, and training programs that improve business practices and equity outcomes.
2. Education and Training – The James Beard Institute
Deliver chef- and operator-focused programs such as:
Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL): Equips women entrepreneurs with business, financial, and leadership skills.
Legacy Network: Mentorship connecting established and emerging chefs, preserving culinary traditions and supporting diversity.
Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change: Trains chefs to advocate for climate, labor, and equity issues.
Resources: Offers open-access business and sustainability tools for restaurants nationwide.
3. Policy and Advocacy
Advance campaigns such as Climate Solutions for Restaurant Survival and Seat the Table (immigration reform), mobilizing chefs and operators to influence legislation and promote a sustainable and equitable food system.
4. Recognition and Storytelling
Use the James Beard Awards and national events to spotlight excellence, celebrate cultural diversity, and amplify leaders shaping how America eats.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2024 info
0.76
Months of cash in 2024 info
3.2
Fringe rate in 2024 info
19%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
The James Beard Foundation Inc
Revenue & expensesFiscal Year: Apr 01 - Mar 31
SOURCE: IRS Form 990 Learn more">
The James Beard Foundation Inc
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Apr 01 - Mar 31
SOURCE: IRS Form 990 Learn more">
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Fiscal Year: Apr 01 - Mar 31
SOURCE: IRS Form 990 Learn more">
This snapshot of The James Beard Foundation Inc’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
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Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $568,204 | $1,785,564 | $1,197,989 | -$2,097,619 | -$769,279 |
| As % of expenses | 3.3% | 13.7% | 8.3% | -11.9% | -3.7% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $363,747 | $1,511,661 | $889,575 | -$2,408,602 | -$1,195,017 |
| As % of expenses | 2.1% | 11.3% | 6.0% | -13.4% | -5.6% |
| Revenue composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $18,186,794 | $14,380,347 | $15,141,419 | $18,041,842 | $21,111,128 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | 21.0% | -20.9% | 5.3% | 19.2% | 17.0% |
| Program services revenue | 71.3% | 59.0% | 66.1% | 64.2% | 66.3% |
| Membership dues | 2.4% | 1.8% | 0.9% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
| Investment income | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.9% |
| Government grants | 0.0% | 7.6% | 8.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other grants and contributions | 24.8% | 30.5% | 23.6% | 33.6% | 31.2% |
| Other revenue | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.2% |
| Expense composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $17,395,653 | $13,066,894 | $14,463,387 | $17,608,955 | $21,050,108 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | 28.0% | -24.9% | 10.7% | 21.7% | 19.5% |
| Personnel | 34.2% | 36.3% | 34.2% | 33.0% | 34.1% |
| Professional fees | 28.8% | 37.5% | 41.3% | 35.3% | 33.1% |
| Occupancy | 2.0% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 3.1% | 3.0% |
| Interest | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Pass-through | 4.0% | 8.2% | 4.6% | 2.3% | 2.2% |
| All other expenses | 30.7% | 14.9% | 17.2% | 26.0% | 27.4% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $17,600,110 | $13,340,797 | $14,771,801 | $17,919,938 | $21,475,846 |
| One month of savings | $1,449,638 | $1,088,908 | $1,205,282 | $1,467,413 | $1,754,176 |
| Debt principal payment | $97,250 | $0 | $851,350 | $105,150 | $114,304 |
| Fixed asset additions | $278,283 | $0 | $0 | $779,340 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $19,425,281 | $14,429,705 | $16,828,433 | $20,271,841 | $23,344,326 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 2.7 | 5.2 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 3.2 |
| Months of cash and investments | 2.7 | 5.2 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 3.2 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 0.1 | 1.5 | 2.1 | -0.3 | -1.0 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $3,947,592 | $5,625,898 | $4,811,406 | $3,414,975 | $5,540,160 |
| Investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Receivables | $452,341 | $678,245 | $700,753 | $1,972,946 | $3,426,505 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $3,602,787 | $3,824,624 | $4,041,061 | $4,820,400 | $5,116,903 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 48.1% | 52.5% | 57.3% | 54.5% | 59.6% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 58.3% | 50.6% | 43.5% | 48.8% | 66.8% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $629,281 | $2,140,942 | $3,030,517 | $621,915 | -$573,102 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $2,528,991 | $2,056,880 | $1,536,923 | $4,067,429 | $4,897,728 |
| Total net assets | $3,158,272 | $4,197,822 | $4,567,440 | $4,689,344 | $4,324,626 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
Chief Executive Officer
Clare Reichenbach
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
The James Beard Foundation Inc
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
The James Beard Foundation Inc
Highest paid employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
The James Beard Foundation Inc
Board of directorsas of 10/28/2025
Board of directors data
Allison Rose TRUSTEE
Andrew Levine TRUSTEE
Chris Lyons TRUSTEE
Cindy McLoughlin TRUSTEE
Elizabeth Falkner TRUSTEE
Emily Luchetti TRUSTEE
Eric Kessler TRUSTEE
Herb Scannell TRUSTEE
Jeff Cherry TRUSTEE
Kim Williams TRUSTEE
Marva Smalls TRUSTEE
Mary Sue Milliken VICE CHAIR
Melinda Hildebrand TRUSTEE
Michelle Difebo Freeman TRUSTEE
Michiel Bakker TRUSTEE
Nancy Lukitsh CHAIR
Rodney Williams TRUSTEE
Steven Koch SECRETARY
Tanya Holland TRUSTEE
Trevor Guthrie TRUSTEE
Tricia Clarke-Stone TRUSTEE
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Contractors
Fiscal year endingProfessional fundraisers
Fiscal year endingSOURCE: IRS Form 990 Schedule G
Solicitation activities
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