Channel One Inc
Channel One Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Rochester, Minnesota, classified as a food bank and food pantry. The organization operates as a regional food bank serving Minnesota and Wisconsin communities. Channel One was granted tax-exempt status in June 1983.
Key facts about Channel One Inc
- EIN
- 41-1379713
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,480,480
- Grants made (2025)
- 53
- Average grant
- $235,481
- Median grant
- $63,806
- Total assets
- $7,103,767
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Channel One Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Channel One Inc's 53 itemized 2025 grants were Minnesota (84%) and Wisconsin (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, MN (7 grants), Owatonna, MN (3 grants), Albert Lea, MN (3 grants) and La Crosse, WI (2 grants). None of its 53 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food and Non Food Items" (53 grants).
How Channel One Inc gives
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Channel One Inc
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.1M
-20.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.5M
+13.8% YoY
Grant Count
53
-29.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$235K
+61.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Channel One strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. The organization provides direct service delivery focused on food security and nutrition for low-income and economically disadvantaged populations.
Programs include:
- Food bank and food shelf operations
- Mobile pantry services
- Green garden initiatives
- Kitchen programs
Ready to take the next step with Channel One Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Channel One serves communities at local (city/county level) and regional (multi-county/state level) in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 53 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (June 2023):
- Total Revenue: $20,258,959
- Total Expenses: $20,241,527
- Net Assets: $9,236,573
- Total Assets: $8.9M
Revenue Composition (2023):
- Contributions & Grants: $18.8M (93% of revenue)
- Program Service Revenue: $1.4M
- Investment Income: $37K
Expense Allocation (2023):
- Program Expenses: $19.2M (95%)
- Overhead: $1.1M (5%)
Financial Trends:
- Revenue growth of 18% from 2022 to 2023
- 48 W-2 employees as of fiscal year 2023
- Operating reserves of approximately 5.5 months
Historical Revenue:
- FY 2022: $17,204,714
- FY 2021: $23,904,084
- FY 2020: $21,788,814
- FY 2019: $16,723,300
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,103,767 | $8,878,567 | $9,489,071 |
| Revenue | $26,121,594 | $24,944,529 | $20,258,959 |
| Expenses | $27,919,312 | $25,639,945 | $20,241,527 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $111,601 | $100,141 | $37,377 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
313 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Community Pathways ($2,523,039), Wafer ($1,790,800), Community Action Center of Northfield ($1,720,824).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY PATHWAYS Owatonna, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $2,523,039 |
| WAFER La Crosse, WI | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $1,790,800 |
| COMMUNITY ACTION CENTER OF NORTHFIELD Northfield, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $1,720,824 |
| SOCIETY OF VINCENT DE PAUL Faribault, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $850,931 |
| WINONA VOLUNTEER SERVICES Winona, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $536,268 |
| SEMCAC INC Rushford, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $499,267 |
| AREA NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CENTER INC Waseca, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $366,132 |
| SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND Maplewood, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $325,912 |
| RED WING AREA FOOD SHELF Red Wing, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $324,601 |
| WABASHA AREA FOOD SHARE INC Wabasha, MN | FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS | $317,051 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Virginia Witherspoon
Finance Director: Matt DeCook
Assistant Director & Human Resources: Linda Lovik
Director of Development and Communications: Jessica Sund
Programs and Agency Services Director: Jennifer Belisle
Operations Director: Matt Lee
Board Chair: Melissa Dickison (Think Bank)
Board Vice-Chair & Governance Committee Chair: Tom Leimer (Knutson Construction)
Board Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair: Tyler Yule (McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holden Lewis | Board Chair-Part Year | 0.3 | — |
| Paul Mackin | Board Chair | 0.3 | — |
| Melissa Dickison | Vice Chair | 0.3 | — |
| Tom Leimer | Treasurer | 0.3 | — |
| Angie Ames | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Sara Carlson | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Ben Mulholland | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Tamim Rajjo | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Andy Danielsen | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Gema Alvarado-Guerrero | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Stephanie Fisher | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Anthony Broersma | Director | 0.3 | — |
| Benjamin Bergstrom | Director-Part Year | 0.3 | — |
| Michael Zirbes | Director-Part Year | 0.3 | — |
| Roger Hofer | Director-Part Year | 0.3 | — |
| Ryan Ringel | Director-Part Year | 0.3 | — |
| Tyler Yule | Director-Part Year | 0.3 | — |
| Virginia Witherspoon | Executive Director | 40 | $129,612 |
Contact Information
Address: 131 35th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: 507-287-2350
Fax: 507-287-2351
Food Shelf Email: foodshelf@channel-one.org
Agency Support Email: agencysupport@channel-one.org
Food Donations Contact: Genna Devitt, Food Development Manager, gennadevitt@channel-one.org
Food Shelf Hours:
- Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Saturday–Sunday: Closed
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Channel One Inc fund?
Channel One strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. The organization provides direct service delivery focused on food security and nutrition for low-income and economically disadvantaged populations. Programs include: • Food bank and food shelf operations • Mobile pantry services • Green garden initiatives • Kitchen programs
Where does Channel One Inc make grants?
Channel One serves communities at local (city/county level) and regional (multi-county/state level) in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
What size grants does Channel One Inc award?
In 2025, Channel One Inc awarded 53 grants totaling $12.5M — an average of about $235K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Channel One Inc's EIN?
Channel One Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1379713. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.