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Passes our checks

Massachusetts Federation of Farmers and Gardeners Markets Inc

EIN 04-2666643 · Westborough, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MASS FARMERS MARKETS PARTNERS WTIH FARMERS, CONSUMERS, AND COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS, STRENGHTEN COMMUNITY VITALITY, AND ENHANCE LOCAL FARM VIABILITY THROUGH FARMERS MARKETS.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
12
Volunteers
56
Highest pay
$67,561, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $1.5 million spent. COUPON PROGRAM: CLEARING HOUSE FOR FARMERS THAT REDEEM WIC AND SENIOR FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM COUPONS DISTRIBUTED BY WIC AND DTA, AND OTHER COUPONS ISSUED FROM GRANT CONTRACTS.
  2. $207,346 spent. TOKEN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDING FRESH FOOD ACCESS TO CONSTITUENTS (SNAP, GC, SPINTOWIN, SNAP MATCH, SUBSIDIZED CSA) AND DIRECT TO FARMER FUNDING
  3. $104,030 spent. MARKET FEE PROGRAM: ORGANIZE AND MANAGE THREE URBAN FARMERS' MARKETS (CENTRAL SQUARE IN CAMBRIDGE, COPLEY SQUARE IN BOSTON, DAVIS SQUARE IN SOMERVILLE) WHERE WE EDUCATE MORE THAN 110,000 CONSUMERS ANNUALLY AND PILOT PROGRAMMING AND PROJECTS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT FARMERS' MARKETS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1978.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.