2024-10-31T15:26:11-07:00 2024-06-30 954401626 Vasin Heyn & Company 5000 N Parkway Calabasas 201 Calabasas CA 91302 990 2023-07-01 222624532 MAZON A Jewish Response to Hunger MAZO 3104420020 15303 Ventura Blvd Suite 1100 Sherman Oaks CA 91403 Abby J Leibman President & CEO 2024-10-31 true true Rolland Vasin P00644882 8182223500 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z X Abby J Leibman 15303 Ventura Blvd Suite 1100 Sherman Oaks CA 91403 10053261 false X www.mazon.org X 1985 CA To end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. 17 17 28 24 0 7960400 8941478 0 612712 934471 75000 -66504 8648112 9809445 3660000 3685460 0 2892170 3280432 0 1145440 2665577 3107434 9217747 10073326 -569635 -263881 10568724 11744802 1087279 2527238 9481445 9217564 Inspired by Jewish values and ideals, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national advocacy organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. See Schedule O for more details. false false 8178572 Inspired by Jewish values and ideals, MAZON is a national advocacy organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. For nearly four decades, MAZON has strengthened government food programs so they are available, accessible, and meaningful to all those who need them. MAZONs efforts are designed to ensure that people have access to the meaningful resources they need to buy food in a manner that is dignified and without judgment the only institution in America that can accomplish this is the government, so our work focuses there.See Schedule O for more details. 8178572 true true true true false false false false false true true true false true true true true false false true true true false false true false false true false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 19 0 true 28 false false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 17 17 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IL IN KS KY MA MD ME MI MN MO MS NC NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV X X Barbara Green 3104420020 15303 Ventura Blvd Suite 1100 Sherman Oaks CA 91403 Abby J Leibman President & CEO 40.00 0.00 X 269326 0 39388 Mia Hubbard ExecVice President 40.00 0.00 173634 0 45438 Barbara Green COO 40.00 0.00 170159 0 31593 Joshua Protas VP, Public Policy 40.00 0.00 151311 0 10789 Naama Haviv VP Community Engmt 40.00 0.00 136112 0 17305 Liza Lieberman VP Public Affairs 40.00 0.00 127946 0 15698 Carolyn Schwarz Tisdale Board Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Rabbi Joel PItkowsky Past Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Randall Lewis Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Morgan Powell Past Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Daniel Segal Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Sara Albert Secretary 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Daniel Ripps Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Leonard David Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Liz Kanter Groskind Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Rick Loewenstein Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Karen Jacobs Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Marilyn Levenson Kommesar Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Howard Tarkow Director 0.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Mark Kravitz Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Julie Singer Chernoff Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Rachel Lipschutz Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 David Lash Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lauren Bauer Director 0.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 1028488 160211 8 false true false 0 8941478 8941478 0 934471 934471 0 0 0 0 130537 243816 -113279 0 0 Other income 900099 46775 46775 46775 9809445 981246 3331460 3331460 0 354000 354000 0 326569 261255 32657 32657 0 2391469 1795070 186706 409693 123441 93220 9161 21060 241825 183551 18043 40231 197128 149596 15707 31825 0 290235 179739 77028 33468 97737 59151 27453 11133 0 0 74785 74785 23913 20575 1106 2232 42988 23167 16833 2988 54812 42924 3966 7922 17974 13708 1403 2863 0 881420 720680 52849 107891 166823 78916 68024 19883 0 26650 18326 340 7984 0 0 0 33267 25801 2455 5011 Outside Services 587402 426075 32726 128601 Dues and Subscriptions 185376 115642 5604 64130 Printing and Publications 137267 68046 236 68985 Program Expenses 131117 126212 4905 355668 91458 122232 141978 10073326 8178572 749314 1145440 273515 308569 139889 574643 32800 175 1551 0 0 0 0 96600 147654 691872 310155 325786 381717 0 8833341 8191865 0 0 899418 2106003 10568724 11744802 182365 236783 170000 904914 2120455 1087279 2527238 X 8358813 8031786 1122632 1185778 9481445 9217564 10568724 11744802 -263881 X X false true X true false X 7335540 8920859 8961758 7960400 8941478 42120035 0 0 7335540 8920859 8961758 7960400 8941478 42120035 0 42120035 79332 989142 136745 194743 235700 1635662 0 75000 46775 121775 43877472 0.95990 0.96190 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false 18265 18265 18265 3653 913 14612 false 12932 8577 11867 3653 37029 55544 64659 42883 18265 125807 3233 2144 2967 913 9257 13886 36250 15000 15000 66250 984891 137400 42920 1079371 929888 97923 42920 984891 1123944 -151136 42920 929888 879821 287043 42920 1123944 909838 12903 42920 879821 true false false 202153 53017 149136 400918 173200 227718 88801 83938 4863 381717 8191865 Deposits 98938 Right-of-use asset 2007065 2106003 Right-of-use lease liability 2120455 2120455 X 9978476 243816 243816 9734660 74785 74785 9809445 10242357 243816 243816 9998541 74785 74785 10073326 Part X : FIN48 Footnote The Organization is exempt from Federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and California income taxes under section 23701(d) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. The Organization is required to pay an annual filing fee to the State of California and other states it operates in.The Organization has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Section 740-10, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. ASC Section 740-10 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Section 740-10 requires that an organization recognize in the financial statements the impact of the tax position if that position will more likely than not be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. As of and for the year ended June 30, 2023, the Organization had no material unrecognized tax benefits, tax penalties or interest.The Organizations Forms 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, for each of the tax years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, are subject to examination by the IRS, generally for 3 years after they were filed.The Organizations Forms 199, California Exempt Organization Return, for each of the tax years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, are subject to examination by the Franchise Tax Board, generally for 4 years after they were filed Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 Special event expenses $243816 Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S Special event expenses $243816 true Middle East and North Africa 0 1 Grant making Working to end hunger 354000 1 1 354000 354000 Middle East Working to End Hung 25000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 30000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 30000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 30000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 35000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 4000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 40000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 45000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 50000 Wire Middle East Working to End Hung 65000 Wire 5 5 false false false false false false Part I, Line 2 - Grantmakers Explanation For Monitoring Use of Funds Outside US The only grant funds disbursed outside of the U.S. are those granted to organizations in Israel. MAZON contracts with an Israel Program Director who is based in Israel to meet with grantees on a regular basis, monitor their activities, and partner with them on appropriate efforts. These grantees must submit annual written reports to the Israel Director and the Vice-President of Programs as a requirement of funding, which are shared with the Board of Directors. The report requires a narrative account of what was accomplished by the expenditure of the grant funds during the period covered by the grant. To ensure compliance by grantees, they are required to sign a grant contract that binds them to provide the work they have proposed for funding as well as a report on activities performed with the grant. This contract also obligates grantees to inform MAZON in advance if they are unable to carry out the work for which a grant was received, in order to get MAZON approval for alternative use of the grant or to return the funds to MAZON. MAZON holds bi-monthly convenings of multiple grantee cohorts, to discuss programs and jointly strategize activities, which all grantees are required to attend. MAZON also uses regularized site visits, phone calls, emails and letter communications to monitor the grantees' activities and expenditures. Finally, regular updates are provided to the Board of Directors, including insights into progress toward goals articulated in the grantee proposals. An annual report is required from all organizations that have received a grant from the organization, which is reviewed by staff and then reviewed with the Board of Directors. The report requires a narrative and financial account (in U.S. Dollars) of what was accomplished by the expenditure of the grant funds during the period covered by the grant. To ensure compliance by grantees, they are required to sign a grant contract that binds them to provide a report on activities performed with the grant. The organization holds multiple telephonic conference calls to discuss programs among grantees and uncover challenges and successes. In addition, the organization holds one in-person conference which all grantees are required to attend. MAZON also uses site visits, phone calls, emails and letter communications to monitor the grantees' activities and expenditures. false Hunger Bites 130537 130537 243816 130537 130537 243816 243816 -113279 true ACOMERPR 113 Calle Alhambra Mayaguez PR 00680 660944244 15000 0 Working to end hunger Alabama Arise PO Box 1188 Montgomery AL 36101 631186365 85000 0 Working to end hunger Alaska Farmers Market Assoc PO Box 173 Homer AK 99603 263948661 14900 0 Working to end hunger Alaska Federation of Natives 3000 A St Suite 210 Anchorage AK 99503 261460192 100000 0 Working to end hunger Alaska Food Policy Council 3734 Ben Walters Lane Homer AK 99603 465017514 97560 0 Working to end hunger Alaska Native Tribal Health C 4000 Ambassador Dr Anchorage AK 99508 920162721 100000 0 Working to end hunger American Friends Leket Israel PO Box 2090 Teaneck NJ 07666 208202424 45000 0 Working to end hunger American Friends of Latet c/o ABS 57 Wingate St 204 Haverhill MA 01832 472069028 45000 0 Working to end hunger AR Advocates Children & Famil 1400 W Markham St Ste 306 Littlerock AR 72201 710492205 75000 0 Working to end hunger AR Hunger Relief Alliance 1400 W Markham St Ste 306 Littlerock AR 72201 300254995 84000 0 Working to end hunger Center for a New Economy Inc PO Box 9024240 San Juan RQ 00902 660566096 80000 0 Working to end hunger Center for Rural Affairs 145 Main St Lyons NE 68038 470553823 55000 0 Working to end hunger Childrens Action Alliance 3030 N 3rd Street 650 Phoenix AZ 85012 860594785 80000 0 Working to end hunger Espacios Abiertos 206 Tetuan Suite 800 San Juan RQ 00901 660927287 70000 0 Working to end hunger Florida Impact Inc 300 West Pensacola Street Tallahassee FL 32301 592859151 90000 0 Working to end hunger Florida Policy Institute Inc 1001 N Orange Ave Orlando FL 32801 472759708 60000 0 Working to end hunger Georgia Budget & Policy Insti 50 Hurt Plaza SE Suite 720 Atlanta GA 30303 550860376 95000 0 Working to end hunger Hawaii Foodbank Inc 2611 Kilihau Street Honolulu HI 96819 990220699 90000 0 Working to end hunger Hawaii Public Health Institu 850 Richards St Suite 201 Honolulu HI 96813 680637054 90000 0 Working to end hunger Hawaii Appleseed Ctr for Law 733 Bishop Street Suite 1180 Honolulu HI 96813 760748976 90000 0 Working to end hunger Hawaii Childrens Action Netw 850 Richards Street No 201 Honolulu HI 96813 943257650 90000 0 Working to end hunger Hunger Free Colorado 1335 S Colorado Blvd Ste 201 Denver CO 80222 680551464 15000 0 Working to end hunger Hunger Free Oklahoma 907 S Detroit Ave 600 Tulsa OK 74120 882180580 90000 0 Impact Cubed 441 Saxony Rd Encinitas CA 92024 832215503 30000 0 Working to end hunger Indiana Justice Project 6101 N Keystone Ave Ste 100 Indianapolis IN 46220 861217450 85000 0 Indy Hunger Network 3737 Waldemere Ave Indianapolis IN 46241 454833492 75000 0 Working to end hunger Instituto del Desarrollo 501 Av Roberto H Todd San Juan PR 00907 660804193 100000 0 Working to end hunger Kansas Action for Children 720 SW Jackson St Topeka KS 66603 480879502 75000 0 Working to end hunger Kansas Appleseed Ctr for Law 211 E 8th St Lawrence KS 66044 481219759 75000 0 Working to end hunger Kentucky Center for Economic 433 Chestnut St Berea KY 40403 844979582 80000 0 Latino Community Fund Inc PO Box 3299 Decatur GA 30031 820911954 65000 0 Working to end hunger Makoce Agriculture Developmen PO Box 163 Porcupine SD 57772 844595782 50000 0 N Carolina Center for Budget 1110 Iredell St Durham NC 27705 873524937 80000 0 Working to end hunger Native Food & Nutrition Resou PO Box 539 Los Alamos NM 87544 237138947 50000 0 Working to end hunger Nebraska Appleseed 941 O St Ste 920 Lincoln NE 68508 470798343 80000 0 Working to end hunger New Israel Fund 6 E 29th Street Ste 301 New York NY 10016 942607722 155000 0 Working to end hunger Office of KY Legal Services 201 W Short St Ste 310 Lexington KY 40507 610909545 15000 0 Working to end hunger Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave Ste 1005 Tulsa OK 74120 331178624 80000 0 Working to end hunger OpenSky Policy Institute 1327 H St Ste 102 Lincoln NE 68508 453327969 80000 0 Working to end hunger PEF Israel Endowment Funds 630 Third Ave 1501 New York NY 10017 136104086 75000 0 Working to end hunger Partners for a Hunger-Free OR 712 SE Hawthorne Blvd 202 Portland OR 97214 204970868 20000 0 Working to end hunger Poverty Solutions Group Inc 1000 Lincoln Terrace Winter Garden FL 34787 845151564 75000 0 Working to end hunger Regional Food Bank of Northea 1116 Edgewood Ave North DE Jacksonville FL 32254 465014769 75000 0 Working to end hunger University of Arkansas 1002 W Maple Fayetteville AR 72701 716003252 100000 0 Working to end hunger Voices for Georgias Children 75 Marietta Street NW Ste 401 Atlanta GA 30303 020678823 65000 0 Working to end hunger William E Morris Institute 3707 North 7th Street Phoenix AZ 85014 860817170 90000 0 Working to end hunger 17 29 Grantmaker's Description of How Grants are Used An annual report is required from all organizations that have received a grant from the organization, which is reviewed by staff and then reviewed with the Board of Directors. The report requires a narrative and financial account (in U.S. Dollars) of what was accomplished by the expenditure of the grant funds during the period covered by the grant. To ensure compliance by grantees, they are required to sign a grant contract that binds them to provide a report on activities performed with the grant. The organization holds multiple telephonic conference calls to discuss programs among grantees and uncover challenges and successes. In addition, the organization holds one in-person conference which all grantees are required to attend. MAZON also uses site visits, phone calls, emails and letter communications to monitor the grantees' activities and expenditures. X X false false false false false false false false false Abby J Leibman President & CEO 269326 18670 20718 308714 Barbara Green COO 170159 11863 19730 201752 Joshua Protas VP, Public Policy 151311 10487 302 162100 Mia Hubbard ExecVice President 173634 11845 33593 219072 Naama Haviv VP Community Engmt 136112 8629 8676 153417 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The Form 990 is drafted by an outside CPA, and then reviewed and approved by management, in consultation with their outside bookkeeper, and by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Before the return is filed, a copy is made available to each board member. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c Officers, Directors, and staff are required to complete a Conflict-of-Interest disclosure form each year. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a The Executive compensation review and approval is based on research of comparable compensation and duties, is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors, and their deliberation is contemporaneously documented in a semi-private log of the minutes of the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15b Compensation for other officers and key employees is determined by the President/CEO using, among other objective criteria, a comprehensive survey and comparison of similar positions in other nonprofit organizations. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are maintained at the organization's corporate office and are available to the general public upon request. In addition, the audited financial statements are available at www.mazon.org. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c The process has not changed from the prior year. Form 990, Part III, Line 1 - Organization's Mission (Continued) For almost 40 years, MAZON has been committed to ensuring that vulnerable people have access to the resources they need to be able to put food on the table. MAZON is a leading voice in the United States and in Israel, on anti-hunger issues, especially those that involve populations or problems that have been previously overlooked or ignored.MAZON recognized the importance of ensuring that food insecure Americans and Israelis have access to nutritious food now, while also working to develop and advance long-term solutions to hunger. Form 990, Part III, Line 4a-Program Service Accomplishments(Continued) MAZON is committed to shining a spotlight on issues and populations where the government and other organizations have yet to turn their focus. The mainstream response to hunger leaves the unique challenges of too many Americans overlooked, underfunded, or disregarded, including by government nutrition supplement programs like SNAP and WIC. MAZON understands that blanket solutions will not meet the needs of every community, and that sometimes, special focus is required to remove the unique barriers some of our most vulnerable communities face in accessing adequate, nutritious food. Unique Barriers Require Thoughtful Solutions:MAZONs Jewish values have led us to a unique role in the anti-hunger movement: working to support under-addressed issues and communities. Not only does MAZON shine a spotlight on these pressing concerns; we draw the attention of policymakers, anti-hunger organizations, and the public to the unique roadblocks standing in the way to food security. Our work ensures that there are meaningful and lasting solutions that overcome these challenges. This strategy requires MAZON to be nimble and able to identify which issues need our particular expertise and for how long. Currently, MAZON is spotlighting the unique barriers facing communities such as active-duty military and their families, veterans, Indigenous communities, single mothers, LGBTQ older adults, college students, and the people of Puerto Rico and the territories. MAZON listens to, learns from, and works in solidarity with these communities to realize change through three interrelated strategies:Education: MAZON works closely with synagogue partners, schools, and organizations to educate individuals and communities about the scope of hunger and how we can work together to end it. Through groundbreaking experiential education programs and activities like This is Hunger and its innovative virtual experience, The Hunger Museum, MAZON is shifting the narrative about who is vulnerable to hunger and why. We are creating a powerful network of anti-hunger advocates across the country.Capacity-Building: Throughout MAZONs history, we have invested in system changing efforts across the U.S., recognizing that states have a great deal of import and influence in helping to ensure that all those in their communities can feed themselves and their families. MAZON makes deep, multi-year investments in emerging anti-hunger organizations across the United States, partnering with them to advance public education, community organizing, and policy proposals to eliminate hunger.Advocacy: For nearly 40 years, MAZON has been the leading Jewish voice in advancing lasting policy solutions to reverse the course of hunger in this country. MAZONs advocacy and expertise has led to meaningful change for Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. From drafting and championing critical policies in important legislation, to testifying to Congress, to hosting meaningful conversations with legislators MAZON is a strong advocate, speaking truth to power at every level of government.FY 2024 Highlights:Outreach MAZON has hosted numerous tours of its groundbreaking all virtual experience: The Hunger Museum including two national community-wide tours.MAZON integrated the program Challah for Hunger into its work in 2023. During its first year we had 38 active chapters, and we've gotten a lot of inquiries over this last year for new chapters, and expect to start the 2024 academic year with 46 chapters across the US. AdvocacyDuring 2023 and 2024 MAZON has prioritized securing meaningful support for the populations that form its advocacy focus in the coming Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a comprehensive piece of federal legislation that authorizes and define the nutrition safety net for 5 years at a time. The Farm Bill will expire in 2024 and a new Bill must be passed.For nearly a decade, MAZON has been leading the national effort to address hunger among military families and succeeded in adding an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, to remove one of the most persistent and egregious barriers to SNAP access for those in the military. When the provision failed, MAZON added it to its Farm Bill priorities.MAZONs support of Native-led policy change to advance food security and food sovereignty in Indian Country is rooted in recognizing that Tribal Nations are sovereign and self-determining nations. Allowing Tribes to directly administer these assistance programs would provide them the same flexibilities that states have to manage the programs and shift resources when necessary during times of crisis. MAZON made this a priority for its advocacy on the Farm Bill.MAZON is committed to confronting the painful reality of food insecurity among veterans educating various stakeholders about the unique needs and barriers facing the men and women who served our country. Much of this work focuses on uplifting legislation and programmatic solutions to close the veteran SNAP participation gap, including adjusting SNAPs consideration of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability ratings, supporting veteran SNAP outreach initiatives, and exempting veterans from work requirements for the purposes of qualifying for SNAP. Despite their status as United States citizens, Congress cut Puerto Rico from SNAP in 1981 and replaced it with the limited and under-funded NAP program. This disparity means that food assistance is capped at a set funding level instead of automatically expanding and contracting, like SNAP does, as need fluctuates. MAZON has made transitioning NAP to SNAP a priority in its Farm Bill priorities In recent years, MAZON and our partners have achieved historic advancements in Israel. We lead a powerful anti-hunger advocacy coalition of 17 partner organizations, and our coalition recently secured funding to address food insecurity in Israel's national budget a profound milestone that sets an important new precedent. Even during a time of great political instability in Israel, we continue to raise the visibility of food insecurity, which is now a central discussion point in Israeli civil society as well as government ministries and Knesset committees. We were a leading force in the formation of Israel's National Council of Food Security, and we continue to build the infrastructure to position food security and long-term, government-led solutions to end hunger for all Israelis as a prominent priority issue for both the Israeli government and civil society.MAZON continues to invest in state-based synagogue civic engagement, and , MAZON engages synagogue partners transforming them into effective centers of anti hunger efforts to advance the interests and dignity of those struggling with food insecurity. During the summers of 2023 and 2024 MAZON partnered with synagogues in several states on a MAZON Hunger Action Month meeting with members of Congress during August recess and advancing vital Farm Bill priorities.In 2024 MAZON mad3e new grants to 52 local anti-hunger partner organizations across the United States and Israel, expanding its investment in fighting food insecurity. This includes new grants to partners in Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, and Oklahoma, as well as organizations advocating for the people of Puerto Rico, Indigenous communities in the U.S., and vulnerable populations in Israel. MAZON has invested over $17 million in 19 states, Puerto Rico, Indian Country, and Israel since 2018. In 2024 MAZON made several grants through its Quick Reaction Fund which enables us, and our partners, to respond quickly to opportunities in the public sphere, providing the anti-hunger movement with rapid access to small investments of revenue that can help capitalize on these opportunities, outside of normal, lengthier grant processes. Form 990, Part III, Line 4a-Program Service Accomplishments(Continued) Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the hunger crisis in America, MAZON is shining a light on hunger among single mothers who often face heightened barriers to food security and economic stability. National data estimates that 80% of single parents in the U.S. are women, and 40% of these single mothers are experiencing food insecurity. Rising food prices, the cost of childcare, and state restrictions have all posed disproportionate economic setbacks for single mothers that create additional barriers to accessing food. MAZON is focused on preventing any additional hurdles to SNAP eligibility criteria for single mothers and advancing policies that address the childcare cost component. MAZON is working to illuminate hunger disparities facing the people of Puerto Rico who currently cannot access the same nutrition assistance as their fellow Americans living stateside. Though a huge portion of the island's population lives in poverty, Congress cut Puerto Rico from SNAP in 1981, so U.S. citizens living on the land can now only access the limited and under-funded Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP). MAZON is advocating for Congress to transition Puerto Rico back to SNAP so they can access adequate benefits that can expand during times of great need.In recent years, MAZON and our partners have achieved historic advancements in Israel. We lead a powerful anti-hunger advocacy coalition of 17 partner organizations, and our coalition recently secured funding to address food insecurity in Israel's national budget a profound milestone that sets an important new precedent. Even during a time of great political instability in Israel, we continue to raise the visibility of food insecurity, which is now a central discussion point in Israeli civil society as well as government ministries and Knesset committees. We were a leading force in the formation of Israel's National Council of Food Security, and we continue to build the infrastructure to position food security and long-term, government-led solutions to end hunger for all Israelis as a prominent priority issue for both the Israeli government and civil society.MAZON continues to invest in state-based synagogue civic engagement, which has become an even more urgent focus in the last few years, as polarization continues to grow in our country. As such, MAZON engages synagogue partners transforming them into effective centers of anti-hunger efforts to advance the interests and dignity of those struggling with food insecurity. Our synagogue partners learn that addressing hunger is rooted in Jewish values and that the organized Jewish community plays a critical role in the fight against hunger. In this work, strong local leaders emerge, congregations develop a deeper understanding of hunger and its causes, experience meaningful civic engagement, and acquire an understanding of the complex causes of hunger and the programs and policies that address its solutions. Through MAZON, these Jewish leaders forge new alliances to address hunger at the state and local levels and elevate the importance of ending hunger in their local communities.For example, this year, MAZON worked closely with synagogue partners, clergy leaders, and anti-hunger partners in Colorado to support the first-ever state ballot initiative securing free school meals. MAZON was proud to spearhead Jewish community efforts as a member of the statewide coalition that was pushing for this historic ballot measure, urging more states to follow Colorado's bold example and provide universal free meals so that every child has the opportunity to learn.MAZONs expertise in seeding, supporting, and strengthening the anti-hunger movement around the country uniquely positions it to reinvest in those ecosystems where populations are most vulnerable and the anti-hunger infrastructures are the most under-resourced. It is in these communities that MAZON has an out-sized influence, impact and probability of successfully growing anti-hunger programs to more reliably respond to the growing needs of those who struggle in their communities. MAZONs most recent partnership grants in the U.S. expanded our Emerging Advocacy Fund to a total of 52 partner organizations in 19 states and Puerto Rico. Our goal for these investments is to nurture a community of anti-hunger advocates who are interconnected and motivated to share best practices, successes, challenges, resources, and technical assistance. This year, MAZONs partner organizations continued to work in support of programs and policies to alleviate hunger in their states with a particular focus on equity. Many of them did so within the context of persistent and pervasive hunger facing uphill battles, but they remain committed to their work and the people they serve and they are supported in these efforts with the knowledge that MAZON is invested not only in seeing immediate gains, but in building their capacity for long-term success. In addition, MAZONs Quick Reaction Fund enables us, and our partners, to respond quickly to opportunities in the public sphere, providing the anti-hunger movement with rapid access to small investments of revenue that can help capitalize on these opportunities, outside of normal, lengthier grant processes. Total program expenses were: $7,660,431