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Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture Inc

EIN 04-3416862 · South Deerfield, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE BELIEVE THAT LOCAL, PROSPEROUS, AND DIVERSE FARMS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE ECONOMIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF THE REGION; THAT AN INFORMED AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL TO THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR LOCAL FARMS; AND THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO LOCALLY-GROWN FOOD. OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN FARMS AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY. OUR PROGRAMS WORK TO BRING THAT MISSION TO REALITY.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
23
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$122,222, interim exec

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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. $546,531 spent. CISA'S LOCAL HERO PROGRAM EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE MANY BENEFITS OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE. THE LOCAL HERO PROGRAM MARKETS LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, CISA'S WEBSITE, AND PRESS OUTLETS. IN 2024, MEMBERS IN CISA'S LOCAL HERO PROGRAM INCLUDED 278 FARMS AND 119 RETAILERS, RESTAURANTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND SPECIALTY PRODUCERS. IN 2024, CISA'S HIGHLIGHTS OF LOCAL FARMS WERE FEATURED IN ARTICLES, RADIO, AND TV NEWS STORIES; IN OVER 400 RADIO, TV, AND PRINT ADS AND PSA'S; AND OVER 2 MILLION IMPRESSIONS VIA ONLINE ADVERTISING. OVER 20,000 PEOPLE RECEIVE MONTHLY EMAIL OR SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES. CISA'S WEBSITE PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN CONNECTING PEOPLE TO LOCAL FARMS AND HAD 72,000 USERS AND 173,000 PAGE VIEWS. CISA'S LOCAL HERO PROGRAM EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE MANY BENEFITS OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE. THE LOCAL HERO PROGRAM MARKETS LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, CISA'S WEBSITE, AND PRESS OUTLETS. IN 2024, MEMBERS IN CISA'S LOCAL HERO PROGRAM INCLUDED 278 FARMS AND 119 RETAILERS, RESTAURANTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND SPECIALTY PRODUCERS. IN 2024, CISA'S HIGHLIGHTS OF LOCAL FARMS WERE FEATURED IN ARTICLES, RADIO, AND TV NEWS STORIES; IN OVER 400 RADIO, TV, AND PRINT ADS AND PSA'S; AND OVER 2 MILLION IMPRESSIONS VIA ONLINE ADVERTISING. OVER 20,000 PEOPLE RECEIVE MONTHLY EMAIL OR SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES. CISA'S WEBSITE PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN CONNECTING PEOPLE TO LOCAL FARMS AND HAD 72,000 USERS AND 173,000 PAGE VIEWS.
  2. $1.0 million spent. CISA PROVIDES FARMERS WITH ESSENTIAL SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON NEARLY ALL ASPECTS OF RUNNING THEIR BUSINESSES. IN 2024, CISA HAD SPECIFIC FUNDING TO SUPPORT BEGINNING FARMERS, FARMERS WHO SELL DIRECT TO CONSUMERS, AND FARMERS MARKETS. WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ON ADAPTING TO CLIMATE AS WELL AS BUSINESS, FINANICAL, AND MARKET PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING. A TOTAL OF 469 FARMS, BUSINESSES, FARMERS' MARKETS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ATTENDED 301 WORKSHOPS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONSULTATIONS.
  3. $444,310 spent. CISA EXPANDS ACCESS TO LOCAL FOOD FOR CONSUMERS WITH LIMITED SPENDING POWER. CISA PROVIDED 800 LOW-INCOME SENIORS WITH A SUMMER FARM SHARE AND EDUCATED THEM AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF FRESH, LOCAL FOOD. WE SUPPORT MOBILE MARKETS IN ACCEPTING EBT/SNAP AND HIP (A STATE-RUN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR LOCAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES) AND IN OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS TO POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS. CISA ALSO RESEARCHES FOOD SYSTEM GAPS AND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY. IN 2024, WE BEGAN LOOKING AT FARM TRANSITION TRENDS.

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 November 6, 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 March 2000.

    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 November 4, 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.