Nonprofit · EIN 26-2627847
BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC
Tax-exempt · FORT WAYNE, IN 46802
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $960,891 | $661,538 | $299,353 | $570,934 | $0 | $570,934 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $560,895 | $441,308 | $119,587 | $271,581 | $0 | $271,581 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $332,172 | $337,224 | -$5,052 | $151,994 | $0 | $151,994 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $990,463
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $4,365
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$33,937
- Other revenue
- -$33,937
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $508,425
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $100,700
- Other salaries and wages
- $9,367
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $118,488
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $2,930
- Travel
- $2,979
- Program services (functional)
- $581,292
- Management and general (functional)
- $51,814
- Fundraising (functional)
- $28,432
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $271,581
- Total assets, end of year
- $570,934
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $0
- Net assets, end of year
- $570,934
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $570,934
- Gross receipts
- $1,019,128
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 3,471
- Year formed
- 2008
- State of legal domicile
- IN
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMA ROSS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $100,700 |
| RACHEL GUIN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RENEE A SLOAN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| NOEL WINTERS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL TRENT | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL O SAUERTEIG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GRETCHEN K GOULOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NANCY GUOLOFF-GRABNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BECKY PAPE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MONICA SENK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| D GEOFF PADDOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALI BOWERSOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DENISE ANDORFER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALEXANDRA AMADOR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TIM CAPTAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCOTT BUNNELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AUSTIN KNOX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PATRICK MALOBLOCKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATHRYN SCHAU | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARY MONTES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRETT GAUGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMA ROSS | EXECUTIVE DI Officer | 40 | $94,000 |
| RACHEL GUIN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RENEE A SLOAN | VICE PRESIDE Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL TRENT | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| NANCY GOULOFF-GRABNER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DENISE ANDORFER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALI BOWERSOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TIM CAPTAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRETT GAUGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GRETCHEN K GOULOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHAYLA HATCHER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| D GEOFF PADDOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BECKY PAPE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL SAUERTEIG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MONICA SENK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NOEL WINTERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMA ROSS | EXECUTIVE DI Officer | 10 | $55,833 |
| KRYSTE WALLEN | EXECUTIVE DI Officer | 10 | $14,875 |
| NOEL WINTERS | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| RENEE A SLOAN | VICE PRESIDE Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL TRENT | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| NANCY GOULOFF-GRABNER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| PAUL SAUERTEIG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GRETCHEN K GOULOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| VICKI GRABOWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BECKY PAPE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MONICA SENK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| D GEOFF PADDOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALI BOWERSOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DENISE ANDORFER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHAYLA HATCHER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BRETT GAUGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TIM CAPTAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RACHEL GUIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 111 E WAYNE ST STE 555, FORT WAYNE, IN 46802-2600
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- JAMA ROSS, 111 E WAYNE STREET 555, FORT WAYNE, IN 46802
- Signed the 990
- JAMA ROSS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (260) 424-9080
- Website
- BLESSINGSINDIANA.ORG
- Return prepared by
- KSM BUSINESS SERVICES INC
Mission
BLESSINGS IN A BACKBACK MOBILIZES COMMUNITIES, INDIVIDUALS, AND RESOURCES TO PROVIDE FOOD ON THE WEEKENDS FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE GO HUNGRY.
Program accomplishments
- PROVIDE NUTRIOUS FOOD TO CHILDREN THROUGH SCHOOLS IN THE FORT WAYNE COMMUNITY IN A THIRTY-SIX WEEK PERIOD. WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2025, INCLUDING:- BLESSINGS BAGS PROGRAM WHICH FED 3,750 CHILDREN EVERY FRIDAY WITH SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD BAGS TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO ENDURE THE WEEKENDS WITHOUT FOOD. WE PROVIDE 142,500 DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH THE TOP NINE FOOD INSECURE SCHOOLS IN FORT WAYNE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.- SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDED 1,200 BLESSING BAGS EVERY FRIDAY DURING THE SUMMER FOR 11,052 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT 8 ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY LOCATIONS. -BELIEVE BAGS WHICH SERVES TO GIVE ADDITIONAL FOOD AND MENTAL HEALTH/SELF-ESTEEM BOOSTERS TO THOSE FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY DURING THE MOST VUNERABLE TIMES OF THE YEAR. THESE ARE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS AS WELL AS AGENCIES WITH CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING. THE ORGANIZATION WAS RECOGNIZED BY GREATER FORT WAYNE IN 2024 IN EXCELLENCE IN NONPROFIT FOR THE TOP 5 NONPROFIT NOMINEES. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAS ALSO NAMED GREATER FORT WAYNE'S CHAMPTION OF CHANGE IN THE NONPROFIT FIELD. PROGRAMMING HAS GROWN TO ASSIST OVER 160,000 CHILDREN ANNUALLY WHILE REMAINING FINANCIALLY SOLVENT.Expenses $581,292 · grants $508,425
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
- 26-2627847
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2008
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Youth development (O50)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $570,934
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,019,128
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $960,891 | $661,538 | $570,934 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $560,895 | $441,308 | $271,581 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $332,172 | $337,224 | $151,994 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $304,496 | $287,538 | $157,046 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
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 26-2627847).
Questions about BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC
- What is the EIN of BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC is 26-2627847.
- Is BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2008.
- Are donations to BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC 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 BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC 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 BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC 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 BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names JAMA ROSS.
- Who are the officers and directors of BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 21 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $100,700 (JAMA ROSS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $960,891, expenses of $661,538 and total assets of $570,934 at year end.
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