Nonprofit · EIN 83-1580187
FOOD STRONG
Tax-exempt · CLEVELAND, OH 44113
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,025,741 | $648,139 | $377,602 | $819,763 | $38,256 | $781,507 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $577,383 | $529,705 | $47,678 | $418,650 | $14,745 | $403,905 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $515,699 | $473,840 | $41,859 | $367,398 | $11,171 | $356,227 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $926,329
- Program service revenue
- $96,995
- Investment income
- $2,338
- Net income from fundraising events
- $79
- Other revenue
- $79
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $60,010
- Other salaries and wages
- $157,183
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $235,978
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $33,633
- Accounting fees
- $3,200
- Occupancy
- $31,839
- Travel
- $11,864
- Depreciation
- $3,335
- Program services (functional)
- $442,048
- Management and general (functional)
- $186,847
- Fundraising (functional)
- $19,244
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $418,650
- Total assets, end of year
- $819,763
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $38,256
- Net assets, end of year
- $781,507
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $429,315
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $781,507
- Gross receipts
- $1,026,851
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 834
- Year formed
- 2018
- State of legal domicile
- OH
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARA CONTINENZA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $60,010 |
| SUSAN CARROLL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| JOSEPH JERDONEK | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| NICOLE SALERNO | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| SAM WEIR | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| JOHN FAHSBENDER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| CALEB CURRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| JULIA SIECK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| MARK MAZZONE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| APRIL THOMPSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| MAX KOLMAN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| DAVID HESTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| KEVIN AMENT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| JON ECKERLE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 12 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARA CONTINENZA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $58,466 |
| SUSAN CARROLL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| MARY THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| BENJAMIN SIMMONS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| JOSEPH JERDONEK | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| NICOLE SALERNO | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| MARISSA GERDES | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| SAM WEIR | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| JOHN FAHSBENDER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| DAVID MILLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| CALEB CURRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| KEVIN AMENT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 12 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARA CONTINENZA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $54,138 |
| SUSAN CARROLL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| MARY THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| BENJAMIN SIMMONS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| JOSEPH JERDONEK | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| NICOLE SALERNO | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| MARISSA GERDES | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| SAM WEIR | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| JOHN FAHSBENDER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| DAVID MILLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| CALEB CURRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| KEVIN AMENT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1901 TRAIN AVE, CLEVELAND, OH 44113-4203
- In care of
- % SARA CONTINENZA
- Mailing address (990-N for 2020)
- 4222 BEXLEY BLVD, SOUTH EUCLID OH 44121
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- SARA CONTINENZA, 1901 TRAIN AVENUE, CLEVELAND, OH 44113
- Principal officer (990-N for 2020)
- Sara Continenza, 4222 BEXLEY BLVD, SOUTH EUCLID OH 44121
- Signed the 990
- SARA CONTINENZA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (216) 640-0342
- Website
- www.foodstrong.org
- Return prepared by
- CARD PALMER SIBBISON & CO
Mission
OUR MISSION IS TO CULTIVATE FOOD JUSTICE IN NORTHEAST OHIO AND BEYOND BY BUILDING ENDURING LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS FROM THE GROUND UP. WE BELIEVE FRESH, LOCAL FOOD, LIKE-MINDED RESIDENTS AND PASSIONATE PARTNERS CAN TRANSFORM UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS INTO THRIVING, SELF-SUSTAINING COMMUNITIES.
Program accomplishments
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - CARE-A-VAN, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATIONFOOD STRONG'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING BRINGS RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS, PARTNERS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER AROUND FOOD ACCESS, HEALTH, WELLNESS, EDUCATION, AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION. THROUGH CARE-A-VAN EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, AND COMMUNITY LEARNING EXPERIENCES, FOOD STRONG CREATES WELCOMING SPACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN EAT, LEARN, GATHER, AND CONNECT WITH LOCAL FOODS AND VITAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES.CARE-A-VAN EVENTS FEATURE ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD, NUTRITION EDUCATION, COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY-BUILDING, AND CONNECTIONS TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES PROVIDED BY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS SUCH AS THE CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM AND CARE ALLIANCE, AS WELL AS OTHER COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERS, ATTENDEES HAVE ACCESS TO FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS, EDUCATION, AND INFORMATION.FOOD STRONG ALSO OFFERS WORKSHOPS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION RELATED TO GARDENING, COOKING, COMPOSTING, FOOD SYSTEMS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS. THESE ACTIVITIES STRENGTHEN NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONSHIPS, INCREASE ACCESS TO PRACTICAL FOOD AND HEALTH KNOWLEDGE, AND SUPPORT RESIDENTS IN BUILDING HEALTHIER, MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITIES.Expenses $27,196 · revenue $20,935
- YOUTH EDUCATION - FOOD SOVEREIGNTY SCHOOL PROGRAMFOOD STRONG'S FOOD SOVEREIGNTY SCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON EDUCATION IN GARDENING, CULINARY ARTS, NUTRITION, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR YOUTH ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY-BASED INSTITUTIONS, FOOD STRONG GUIDES YOUNG LEARNERS THROUGH PLANNING, BUILDING, PLANTING, MAINTAINING, AND HARVESTING FRESH FOOD, HERB, AND NATIVE FLOWER GARDENS.PROGRAMMING EMPHASIZES STEM, THE ARTS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, NUTRITION, FOOD JUSTICE, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. STUDENTS ALSO LEARN HOW TO PREPARE HEALTHY MEALS FROM SCRATCH USING MINIMALLY PROCESSED WHOLE FOODS. LESSONS ARE DESIGNED TO SHOW THAT HEALTHY FOOD CAN BE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, QUICK TO PREPARE, CULTURALLY RELEVANT, AND DELICIOUS.IN 2025, FOOD STRONG CONTINUED SERVING HUNDREDS OF YOUTH THROUGH SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMING, FIELD TRIPS, GARDEN LESSONS, COOKING EDUCATION, AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. STUDENTS GAINED PRACTICAL SKILLS IN GROWING FOOD, PREPARING MEALS, UNDERSTANDING LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS, AND EXPLORING CAREER PATHWAYS CONNECTED TO AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.Expenses $139,654 · revenue $64,301
- URBAN RESTORATION - SUPERIOR AVENUE COMMUNITY FARM AND COIT ROAD LEARNING GARDENFOOD STRONG'S URBAN RESTORATION WORK FOCUSES ON TRANSFORMING LAND AND COMMUNITY SPACES INTO PLACES FOR FOOD PRODUCTION, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERING.IN 2025, FOOD STRONG CONTINUED ITS WORK AT THE FOOD STRONG LEARNING GARDEN AT COIT ROAD FARMERS MARKET, WHERE THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED VOLUNTEER EVENTS, FIELD TRIPS, EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, GARDEN-BASED LEARNING, AND PRODUCE-GROWING ACTIVITIES. THE SITE SUPPORTED CULINARY EDUCATION, YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP, VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY MAINTENANCE EFFORTS. FOOD STRONG CONCLUDED ITS REGULAR OPERATIONS AT THE COIT ROAD LEARNING GARDEN IN FALL 2025 AS THE ORGANIZATION TRANSITIONED TOWARD DEEPER INVESTMENT IN ITS LONG-TERM HOME AT SUPERIOR AVENUE COMMUNITY FARM.FOOD STRONG ALSO ADVANCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERIOR AVENUE COMMUNITY FARM, A 2.85-ACRE SITE IN CLEVELAND'S ST. CLAIR-SUPERIOR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROPERTY INCLUDES AGRICULTURAL SPACE, HIGH-TUNNEL HOOP HOUSES, A FARMHOUSE, AND A LARGE FORMER CHURCH/SCHOOL BUILDING THAT REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT RESTORATION. THIS SITE IS BEING DEVELOPED AS FOOD STRONG'S FUTURE HEADQUARTERS AND A COMMUNITY CAMPUS FOR FOOD ACCESS, EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, AND URBAN AGRICULTURE.IN 2025, FOOD STRONG FOCUSED ON PHASE I RESTORATION AND LAND USE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SITE CLEANUP, VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, AGRICULTURAL PLANNING, INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND EARLY-STAGE IMPROVEMENTS. THIS WORK LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR A MULTI-PHASE RESTORATION PROCESS THAT WILL EXPAND FOOD STRONG'S CAPACITY TO SERVE YOUTH, FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS, AND THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YEARS TO COME.Expenses $275,198 · revenue $11,759
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 83-1580187
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2018
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Food, agriculture and nutrition (K99)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $819,763
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,026,851
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,025,741 | $648,139 | $819,763 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $577,383 | $529,705 | $418,650 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $515,699 | $473,840 | $367,398 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $464,247 | $253,606 | $331,436 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2020 Officer: Sara Continenza | December 31, 2020 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990-N for 2019 Officer: Sara Continenza | December 31, 2019 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 83-1580187).
Questions about FOOD STRONG
- What is the EIN of FOOD STRONG?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FOOD STRONG is 83-1580187.
- Is FOOD STRONG tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2018.
- Are donations to FOOD STRONG tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FOOD STRONG file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of FOOD STRONG due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did FOOD STRONG last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FOOD STRONG?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names SARA CONTINENZA.
- Who are the officers and directors of FOOD STRONG?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 14 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $60,010 (SARA CONTINENZA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does FOOD STRONG have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,025,741, expenses of $648,139 and total assets of $819,763 at year end.
Other nonprofits in CLEVELAND
- GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC EIN 34-1292848 · last filed 990 for 2025
- HUNGER NETWORK OF GREATER CLEVELAND EIN 34-1810545 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ROSE CENTERS FOR AGING WELL LLC EIN 47-1749435 · last filed 990 for 2024
- CLEVELAND ROOTS INC EIN 47-2612105 · last filed 990 for 2024
- SPICE FIELD KITCHENS INC EIN 47-4576175 · last filed 990 for 2025
- SALAAM CLEVELAND EIN 26-1368320 · last filed 990 for 2024
- TRIALS FOR HOPE INC EIN 46-4411874 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- FIRST FIELD OF GRASS EIN 33-3023757 · last filed 990-N for 2025
All nonprofits in CLEVELAND · Ohio · Food, agriculture and nutrition