Northwest Harvest Emm
Northwest Harvest EMM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, and Washington's leading hunger relief agency. Founded in 1967, the organization collects food and cash donations to purchase and distribute food to frontline hunger relief programs and individuals at no charge. Northwest Harvest supports a statewide network of more than 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-need schools across Washington State.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$93.1M
-8.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
-23.1% YoY
Grant Count
45
+462.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$79K
-86.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Growing Food Justice Through Collective Action
Northwest Harvest's mission is ending hunger in Washington State and growing food justice through collective action. The organization aims to ensure everyone in Washington has consistent access to nutritious food that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit. Beyond providing increased access to healthy food for those experiencing hunger, Northwest Harvest works to shift public opinion and impact institutional policies and societal practices that perpetuate hunger, poverty, and disparities in the state.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Food distribution and hunger relief
- Public policy advocacy
- Community markets and food access programs
- School meal access expansion
- Support for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color-owned farm and food businesses
Grantmaking
Northwest Harvest functions as a grantmaker, distributing funds to support hunger relief and food justice initiatives. During the 2024 fiscal year, the organization distributed more than 20.1 million pounds of food. Total giving in 2024 was $27,250,633.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Northwest Harvest operates statewide across Washington, with regional distribution networks covering:
- Western Washington
- Central Washington
- Eastern Washington
The organization also has funding activity in California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $93,064,540
- Total Revenue: $39,224,642
- Total Expenses: $49,628,892
- Total Liabilities: $4,140,000
- Total Giving: $27,250,633
Staffing:
- 139 employees (as of 2024)
Financial Strength: The organization demonstrates strong financial integrity with a program expense ratio of 89.35% and a notably low cost per meal. The organization maintains a robust governance structure with 100% independent board members.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $93,064,540 | $102,171,236 | $90,945,620 |
| Revenue | $39,224,642 | $61,541,308 | $56,239,363 |
| Expenses | $49,628,892 | $52,532,408 | $53,296,001 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $998,498 | $977,491 | $947,794 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Thomas Reynolds: Chief Executive Officer
- James Gibbs: Chief of Staff
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RACHEL BEDA MD | BOARD CHAIR | 3 | — |
| SHANIS WINDLAND | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| ALAN CAPLAN | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| BREE BLACK HORSE | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| LILIAN BRAVO | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| NEAL BOLING | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| DENISE CHEUNG | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| KYLE CROWSTON | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| MELANNIE CUNNINGHAM | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| SHAMSO ISSAK | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| AILEEN LUPPERT | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| ESTHER MAGASIS | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| SCOTT MCQUILKIN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| KEN PRICE | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| JOSEPH SEIA | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| DEIDRA WAGER | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| THOMAS L REYNOLDS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $271,716 |
| WAYNE SHORTER | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER THRU 07/23 | 40 | $213,105 |
| CYNTHIA L CHAVEZ | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER THRU 07/23 | 40 | $196,697 |
| LARISA L LUMBA | CHIEF FINANCE & OPERATION OFFICER | 40 | $160,313 |
| PATRICIA VOGEL | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER FROM 07/23 | 40 | $139,355 |
| LAURA HAMILTON EWING | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER THRU 08/23 | 40 | $110,817 |
| LEILANI WILLIAMS | CHIEF EQUITY & PEOPLE OFFICER | 40 | $179,598 |
| JAMES D GIBBS | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $169,427 |
| GARY NEWTE | DIR. OF SOURCING AND PROCUREMENT | 40 | $145,555 |
| LAWANDA GRAHAM | DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 40 | $136,833 |
| JEANIE CHUNN | DIR. OF COMM. ENGAGEMENT THRU 12/23 | 40 | $129,481 |
| CARMEN MENDEZ | DIRECTOR OF HUNGER RESPONSE NETWORK | 40 | $124,278 |
| LUISA AGUILAR | DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE (HR) | 40 | $119,289 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Northwest Harvest has been actively engaged in policy advocacy and emergency response efforts:
A Robust Food Safety Net for Washington - Northwest HarvestThe organization was part of Washington State's coordinated response to increase food security and reduce access barriers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington Moves to Protect Food Security as Legislature\Northwest Harvest expanded access to school meals such that over half of all Washington students can access school meals without cost or barriers.
A Robust Food Safety Net for Washington - Northwest HarvestThe organization increased funding for a state food box program that supports Black, Indigenous, and other people of color-owned farm and food businesses to provide food to communities with higher rates of hunger and food insecurity.
Northwest Harvest secured a diaper subsidy for families with children, addressing additional barriers to food security.
A Robust Food Safety Net for Washington - Northwest HarvestThe organization played a significant role in the state's COVID-19 hunger relief efforts, forming an unprecedented emergency partnership.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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