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MOLLEN FOUNDATION FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 262907296 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE B90 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.mollenfoundation.org
revenue
$178K
expenses
$203K
net assets
$19K
employees
—
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES BY ADOPTING HEALTHY HABITS FOR LIFE-LONG BENEFITS. THROUGH HIGHLY ENGAGING PROJECT BASED PROGRAMS, THE MOLLEN FOUNDATION OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HEALTHY LIVING THROUGH FOOD EDUCATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Mollen Foundation for Childhood Obesity is a nonprofit focused on transforming school food systems through regenerative agriculture and farm-to-school initiatives. The organization supports Arizona schools in integrating sustainable practices that improve student health, connect youth with local food, and restore ecological balance. Programs include hands-on garden education, teacher training, and community events like the Hoops for Happiness basketball tournament to fund these efforts.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $93K
    PHOENIX 10K AND HALF-MARATHON: THIS IS THE RACE THAT STARTED IT ALL, BRINGING THE CITY OF PHOENIX TO ITS FEET BACK IN 1976. FOUNDED BY DR. ART MOLLEN, WHO'S VISION BROUGHT OUR GROWING, VIBRANT CITY TOGETHER WITH A SPORT STILL IN ITS INFANCY. IT SET THE CHARGE USED TO IGNITE THE RUNNING BOOM IN ARIZONA. OVER THE YEARS, THE RACE HAS HOSTED OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS, AMERICAN RECORD HOLDERS AND MORE FIRST TIME RACE PARTICIPANTS THAN ANY OTHER EVENT IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES.
named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

Arizona Farm to School Collaborative
Year-long program providing school teams with training, retreats, and coaching to implement regenerative farm-to-school action plans and build sustainable food systems.
Arizona Farm to School Network
Statewide network that connects educators, farmers, and advocates to strengthen local food systems and expand equitable access to fresh, locally grown food in schools.
Garfield's Garden on the Corner
Hands-on educational garden transforming a concrete schoolyard into a living classroom where students grow food and learn about ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
Hoops for Happiness
Annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament that raises funds for regenerative school food programs while promoting wellness and community engagement among participants aged 7 and up.
Milling with Mollen
Seasonal community program offering mesquite harvesting education, walkabouts, and milling events in partnership with Urban Farm and Bee Oasis to promote regenerative food sources.
Regenerative Schools
Professional development, consulting, and grant-writing support for schools and districts to implement regenerative practices focused on soil health, biodiversity, and ecological resilience.
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Youth Sports Tournaments & Showcases 4 activities
    • Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
      Hosts an annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise funds for regenerative school food programs.
    • Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
      Hosts an annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise funds for regenerative school food programs.
    • Fundraising through Community Events
      Hosts an annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise funds in support of regenerative school food programs.
    • Fundraising through Community Sports Events
      Hosts an annual co-ed 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise funds specifically for regenerative school food programs.
  • Mesquite Harvesting and Milling Education 4 activities
    • Community Education and Engagement in Regenerative Food Practices
      Offers in-person and online educational programming, including classes on mesquite harvesting and storage, preparation for harvest, and guided walkabouts with local experts. Also hosts community milling events using a food-grade hammer mill.
    • Community Education and Engagement in Regenerative Food Practices
      Offers in-person and online educational opportunities including classes on mesquite harvesting and storage, preparation for harvest, and guided walkabouts with local experts. Also hosts community milling events using a food-grade hammer mill and conducted specialized events like a mesquite milling event in 2025.
    • Mesquite Education Program
      Offers classes and events focused on mesquite, including basics, storage of pods, preparation for harvest, and community milling events using a food-grade hammer mill. The program also includes in-person walkabouts with local guides.
    • Mesquite Education Program
      Offers online and in-person classes and walkabouts with local guides focused on mesquite, including topics such as the basics of mesquite, preparing for harvest, and storing mesquite pods. The program also conducts community milling events using a food-grade hammer mill.
  • Garden-Based Education Programs 4 activities
    • Regenerative School Food Systems Program
      Operates a year-long program supporting school teams to transform food systems through regenerative farm-to-school practices, including a three-day retreat for action planning and ongoing coaching. The program also includes transforming schoolyards—such as converting concrete lots into productive gardens—that serve as living classrooms.
    • Regenerative School Food Systems Program
      Supports school teams through a year-long program to transform food systems using regenerative farm-to-school practices, including a three-day retreat for action plan creation and ongoing coaching. This program aims to integrate regenerative practices into school food systems to benefit student health, local food networks, and ecological balance.
    • Regenerative School Food Systems Program
      Operates a year-long program that supports school teams in transforming food systems through regenerative farm-to-school practices, including a three-day retreat for action plan creation and year-long coaching. This program aims to integrate regenerative practices into school food systems to support student health, local food networks, and ecological balance, and has included transforming schoolyards into living classrooms.
    • Regenerative School Food Systems Transformation
      Operates a year-long program that supports school teams in transforming food systems through regenerative farm-to-school practices, including a three-day retreat for action plan creation and ongoing coaching. Includes redesigning school food environments, such as converting concrete yards into educational gardens.
  • Local Food Systems Advocacy & Network Building 3 activities
    • Arizona Farm to School Network Co-Convening
      Co-convenes the Arizona Farm to School Network to support and expand farm-to-school initiatives across the state, building capacity among schools and local food providers.
    • Arizona Farm to School Network Co-Convening
      Co-convenes the Arizona Farm to School Network to support and expand farm-to-school initiatives across Arizona.
    • Arizona Farm to School Network Coordination
      Co-convenes the Arizona Farm to School Network to support and expand farm-to-school initiatives across the state, fostering collaboration and capacity building among schools, farmers, and community organizations.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$178K
Contributions & grants$89K50%
Program service revenue$89K50%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$203K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$88K
Grants paid out—
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$19K
Cash$44K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$19K
Liquid reserves2.6 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -25.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
KATIE POIRIER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $83K
board members · 3
  • BART BREBNER — DIRECTOR
  • DAVE TEDESCO — DIRECTOR
  • MARY ANN GUERRA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 5

who they work with

  • Arizona Farm to School Network Partner — Co-convenes the network to support farm-to-school efforts statewide.
  • DesertHarvesters.org Partner — Collaborates with DesertHarvesters.org in Tucson to help others with mesquite pod harvesting.
  • Garfield's Garden on the Corner Partner — Collaborative initiative to transform a schoolyard into an educational garden.
  • Urban Farm and Bee Oasis Partner — Partner that makes the "Milling with Mollen" seasonal program possible.
  • Victorium Partner — Host venue for the Hoops for Happiness basketball tournament.