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Friends of Holly Hill Farm Inc

EIN 01-0598057 · Cohasset, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO ENHANCE AND PRESERVE THE RESOURCES AND LEGACY OF HOLLY HILL FARM, INCLUDING ITS ORGANIC FARMING OPERATION, HISTORIC FARM BUILDINGS, FIELDS, WOODLANDS, AND SALT MARSH MEADOWS. THE AGENCY'S GOALS ARE TO BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES, PROVIDE HEALTHY FOOD, AND EDUCATE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES YEAR ROUND ABOUT THE PRACTICES OF CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
37
Volunteers
325
Highest pay
$99,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $517,921 spent. FARMING - THE FARMING DIVISION MANAGES THE OPERATIONS OF A PORTION OF THE 5.23 ACRE HOLLY HILL FARM. CERTIFIED ORGANIC SINCE 2000, THE AGENCY'S GROWING AND HARVESTING PRACTICES RESPECT THE LAND WHILE DELIVERING FRESH VEGETABLES, HERBS, FLOWERS, AND HONEY TO THE AGENCY'S FARM STAND, SELECT LOCAL RESTAURANTS, AND THE COHASSET AND SCITUATE FARMER'S MARKETS.
  2. $152,000 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DIVISION PROVIDES STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS WITH HANDS ON LESSONS RELATED TO ORGANIC FARMING AND ITS VALUE TO HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT. THE AGENCY PROVIDES FARM BASED SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO HELP TEACHERS DEVELOP A "FARM BASED" CURRICULUM TO INTEGRATE INTO THEIR LESSON PLANS. PROGRAMS ARE TAILORED FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS' GOALS AND INCLUDE CUSTOMIZED CLASSROOM LESSON PLANS ANCHORED WITH FARM VISITS FOR HANDS ON LEARNING. IN ADDITION, THE AGENCY OFFERS SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS TO THE FARM TO MEET STUDENTS' UNIQUE LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND COVER SUBJECTS SUCH AS LIFE CYCLE OF PLANS OR INSECTS, SOIL BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY, BOTANY, WATER CYCLE, FARMING HISTORY, ROLE OF ANIMALS IN FARMING, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, AND NUTRITION.
  3. $331,924 spent. YOUTH GROUPS - THE YOUTH GROUPS DIVISION PROVIDES HANDS ON LESSONS TO YOUTH RELATED TO ORGANIC FARMING AND ITS VALUE TO HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH SUMMER CAMP AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THROUGH FARMING, EXPLORATION, AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, THE AGENCY SEEKS TO CONNECT CHILDREN TO THE NATURAL WORLD IN A WAY THAT WILL STICK WITH THEM FOR LIFE. YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM HIKE THROUGH SALT MARSHES AND HISTORIC GROWING FIELDS TO STUDY VERNAL POOLS IN THE WOODS, EAT NOURISHING MEALS WITH HERBS AND VEGETABLES FROM THE VERY GARDENS THAT THEY'VE BEEN TENDING, AND CULTIVATE A FOOD TO PANTRY VEGETABLE GARDEN THAT HELPS FEED HUNGRY SOUTH SHORE FAMILIES AT FOOD PANTRIES IN COHASSET, HULL AND QUINCY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.