Donate
$25 = 100 meals
We turn $1 into ~$4 of food value through bulk procurement + food rescue partnerships. Donate one-time, monthly, or in-kind. 88 cents of every dollar to programs. Tax-deductible 501(c)(3).
Why donate to Riverbend
What your dollar accomplishes
$1 → $4 in food value
Bulk purchasing power + food rescue partnerships + government commodity programs leverage every donor dollar. $1 of donor money typically yields ~$4 of food provided to recipients. Among the most efficient food banks in the nation.
$25 = 100 meals (lever effect)
100 meals from a $25 donation. $50 = 200 meals. $100 = 400 meals. $250 = 1,000 meals. $1,000 = 4,000 meals. Lever effect compounds dramatically at higher giving levels.
Local impact, immediate use
Donations stay local. We don’t send money internationally; everything stays in Multnomah/Washington/Clackamas counties. Direct neighborhood impact. Recipients are your literal neighbors.
88 cents of every dollar to direct programs
Industry-leading direct-program ratio. Most food banks 75-85%. We’re consistently 88%. Audited annually. 12 cents covers fundraising + administration; we’re lean on overhead.
Tax-deductible 501(c)(3)
Riverbend Food Bank is 501(c)(3) tax-exempt (EIN 93-1184756). Donations fully tax-deductible to extent allowed by US tax law. Tax receipt within 30 days. Annual donor summary in January.
Charity Navigator 4 stars (12 yrs)
Top-tier transparency + accountability rating. GuideStar Platinum. BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Independent annual audit (Moss Adams CPA). Donate to a charity you can trust.
One-time donation
Quick + easy
$25 — 100 meals
Most common starting donation. Single gift. Use for any program. Tax receipt within 30 days. Many donors give annually at this level.
$50 — 200 meals
Family-of-4 weekly food box. Tangible single-meal-context impact. Many holiday-season donations come in at this level.
$100 — 400 meals
Significant single donation. Many recurring monthly donors give at this level. Often given as honor/memorial gift to specific programs.
$250 — 1,000 meals
Major-gift territory. Many donors graduate to this level after year+ of smaller giving. Specific impact + program reporting available.
$500 — 2,000 meals
Substantial single gift. Donors at this level recognized in annual report (anonymous if preferred). Direct relationship with major gift officer.
$1,000+ — 4,000+ meals
Major donor level. Annual mailed impact report. Personal donor relationship. Field visit opportunities. Recognition (with permission).
Monthly recurring (most-impactful)
Sustained giving
Why monthly is most-impactful
Predictable income lets us plan + commit to programs. Reduces our fundraising overhead (we don’t need to re-acquire you each year). Lower processing fees (per-transaction). Multiplies impact over time.
$25/month = $300/year = 1,200 meals annually
Sustaining donor. Many monthly donors give at this level. Affordable + high impact + tax-deductible.
$50/month = $600/year = 2,400 meals annually
Most popular monthly recurring level. Substantial impact at affordable monthly amount. Many monthly donors stabilize at this level long-term.
$100/month = $1,200/year = 4,800 meals annually
Major monthly donor. Direct relationship with donor relations. Quarterly impact updates. Annual report mailed.
$250/month = $3,000/year = 12,000 meals annually
Significant monthly donor. Major gift officer relationship. Field visit opportunities. Annual recognition events. Detailed impact reports.
$500+/month = $6,000+/year = 24,000+ meals annually
Major donor level monthly recurring. Strategic impact on programs. Direct relationship + program input. Annual donor stewardship events.
Other ways to give
Beyond cash + recurring
Donor-advised fund grants
Recommend grants from your DAF. Search ‘Riverbend Food Bank’ or use EIN 93-1184756. Most major DAFs (Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable) handle automatically.
Stocks + securities
Tax-efficient way to give appreciated stocks. You avoid capital gains tax; we receive full fair market value. Email development@riverbendfoodbank.org for transfer instructions.
Planned giving (bequests)
Name Riverbend Food Bank in your will or estate plan. Specific dollar amount, percentage, or residual beneficiary. Email planned-giving@riverbendfoodbank.org for sample bequest language.
Beneficiary designations
Designate Riverbend as beneficiary of life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death accounts. Simpler than bequest; just update beneficiary form with EIN 93-1184756.
Cryptocurrency
We accept Bitcoin + Ethereum + select stablecoins (USDC). Email crypto@riverbendfoodbank.org for wallet instructions. Tax receipt for fair market value at transfer.
In-kind donations (food + supplies)
Food drives + product donations. Coordinate large donations through development@riverbendfoodbank.org. Specific items needed at any time posted on /donate#in-kind. Most-needed: peanut butter, canned protein, non-perishable family staples.
Workplace giving
Maximize through your employer
Employer matching
~70% of major employers match charitable donations 50-200%. Submit matching gift form to your HR. Common: $1 you give = $2 we receive. Email development@riverbendfoodbank.org for matching gift coordination.
Payroll deduction
Some employers facilitate ongoing payroll deduction. Smaller donations distributed across pay periods. Consistent recurring giving. Check with your HR.
Workplace charity drives
Many employers run annual charity drives (United Way, etc.) with Riverbend as designated recipient option. Coordinate with employer + we’ll be listed.
Volunteer day with donation
Workplace teams: volunteer day + corporate donation combination. Common: 8-25 person team volunteer day + matching corporate donation. Email volunteer@riverbendfoodbank.org.
Custom corporate partnerships
Larger employers establish ongoing partnerships: cause marketing, volunteer programs, custom fundraising. Email partners@riverbendfoodbank.org. Most useful for regional + larger employers ($25k+ annual giving potential).
Government employee giving
Federal: Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) #82456 — Riverbend Food Bank. State: Oregon SEIU + state agency giving programs. Local: City of Portland + Multnomah County employee giving. Check with HR.
The donation process
From decision to impact
- 1Choose donation typeOne-time, monthly recurring, planned giving, in-kind. Specify focus area (general fund, specific program, current campaign). Tax-deductible 501(c)(3) regardless of donation type.
- 2Make the donationOnline checkout. Phone (1-503-555-0428). Mail check. Wire transfer. Stock transfer. DAF grant. Cryptocurrency. Choose method that works for you. Most online donations complete within 60 seconds.
- 3Tax receiptTax receipt sent within 30 days. Includes all required IRS documentation. Save for tax filing. Annual donor summary mailed each January.
- 4Stay informed (optional)Sign up for email newsletter (1-2x/month). See impact reports. Many donors visit warehouse to see operations. Some volunteer alongside giving.
Inquiries about giving
We’ll respond within 4 business hours
For specific donations, /donate online checkout is fastest. For complex giving (major gifts, planned giving, stocks, DAFs, corporate partnerships) — this form is the right path.
Donation questions
What donors ask
- Yes. Riverbend Food Bank is 501(c)(3) tax-exempt (EIN 93-1184756). Donations fully tax-deductible to extent allowed by US tax law. Tax receipt within 30 days. Annual donor summary in January.