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Hobart Ames Foundation

EIN 04-6009940 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMES PLANTATION LOCATED NEAR GRAND JUNCTION, TENNESSEE IS OPERATED FOR SCIENTIFIC & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES UNDER A COOPERATIVE PROGRAM PLANNED & APPROVED BY THE TRUSTEES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE.

Income
$24.6 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 89%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$6,952, co-trustee

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 86% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 315% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $3.3 million spent. RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT AMES PLANTATION FOCUS ON THE PRESERVATION, INTERPRETATION, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SOUTHWESTERN TENNESSEE. WORK IS CONDUCTED UNDER A COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BETWEEN THE AMES PLANTATION TRUSTEES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE.RESEARCH EFFORTS INCLUDE BEEF CATTLE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, AGRICULTURAL FIELD STUDIES, FORESTRY MANAGEMENT, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT DEVELOPMENT. STUDIES ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCIES, IMPROVE LAND STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES, ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY, AND ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF RURAL LAND USE IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REGION. FINDINGS FROM THESE PROJECTS CONTRIBUTE TO UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAMS, STATEWIDE EXTENSION OUTREACH, AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR STUDENTS AND LAND MANAGERS.EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT AMES PLANTATION ARE CENTERED ON CONNECTING THE PUBLIC, STUDENTS, AND RESEARCHERS WITH THE REGION'S HISTORICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS AND UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS PROVIDE HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE, ARCHAEOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION. VISITING STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, FOREST CONSERVATION, AND THE LIFESTYLES OF EARLY TENNESSEE SETTLERS THROUGH INTERPRETIVE TOURS AND INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES.THE AMES PLANTATION ALSO PROVIDES RESEARCH MATERIALS AND SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARS FROM ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ACROSS THE MID-SOUTH AND BEYOND. INSTITUTIONS INCLUDE THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS, RHODES COLLEGE, MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, AND OTHERS.THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH STATION & LAND CONSERVANCY AND AMES AGRESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER (VIA AMES PLANTATION) CENTERS ON RESTORING WILD NORTHERN BOBWHITE QUAIL HABITAT ACROSS THE PLANTATION'S 6,000-ACRE FIELD TRIAL AREA IN GRAND JUNCTION, TENNESSEE. THE PARTNERSHIP APPLIES TALL TIMBERS' DECADES OF EXPERTISE IN PRESCRIBED FIRE AND QUAIL MANAGEMENT TO CREATE OPEN-CANOPY SAVANNA AND GRASS-FORB HABITATS WHERE WILD QUAIL CAN THRIVE, AIMING TO TRANSITION AWAYFROM RELIANCE ON PEN-RAISED BIRDS. LEVERAGING BOTH ORGANIZATIONS' STRENGTHS, THE PROJECT WILL ALSO SERVE AS A REGIONAL DEMONSTRATION AND RESEARCH HUB FOR UPLAND HABITAT MANAGEMENT IN THE MID-SOUTH.THE NATIONAL FIELD TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR ALL-AGE BIRD DOGS, WHICH BEGAN IN 1896, HAS BEEN HOSTED ANNUALLY ON THE PLANTATION SINCE 1915. RUNNING ON ABOUT 6,000 ACRES, THE USUAL ENTRY OF 42 ENGLISH POINTERS AND/OR ENGLISH SETTERS THAT ARE WINNERS OR PLACERS IN 70 QUALIFYING TRIALS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. COMPETE. SEVERAL THOUSAND FIELD TRIAL ENTHUSIASTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ATTEND THE EVENT EACH YEAR.

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 July 1953.

    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.