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Hawthorne Valley Association Inc

EIN 13-2722428 · Ghent, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A RURAL INSTITUTION THAT AFFORDS RECREATIONAL, VOCATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND AIDS STUDENTS IN DEVELOPING PRACTICAL TRADES AND SKILLS. THE INSTRUCTION IS BASED UPON THE PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF RUDOLF STEINER (OR WALDORF SCHOOLS).

Income
$15.1 million
Spending
$13.6 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 42%
Employees
357
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$115,671, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 August 31, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $4.4 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION IS AN INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL PROVIDING ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION (PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 12) USING METHODS OF RUDOLF STEINER. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS ADULT EDUCATION INCLUDING FOUNDATION STUDIES, A TWO YEAR WALDORF TEACHER TRAINING, AND TRAININGS IN THE ARTS.
  2. $648,475 spent. THE VISITING STUDENTS PROGRAM HAS INTERN AND COUNSELOR POSITIONS FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO WORK WITH STUDENTS FROM URBAN AND SUBURBAN SCHOOLS, GRADES 3 THROUGH 12, WHO COME TO FARM DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR TO WORK WITH ANIMALS ALONGSIDE THE FARMERS.
  3. $756,259 spent. RESEARCH AND OTHER: THIS PROGRAM IS COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING SUB PROGRAMS:- CENTER FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH: STRIVES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL HEALTH BY SUPPORTING FREEDOM AND CHOICE IN CULTURAL LIFE, EQUALITY AND DEMOCRACY IN POLITICAL LIFE, AND ASSOCIATIVE COOPERATION IN ECONOMIC LIFE;- FARMSCAPE ECOLOGY: A PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH AND OUTREACH PROGRAM THAT FOSTERS COMPASSION FOR THE ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK;- LONG TABLE HARVEST: GLEANS PRODUCE FROM AREA FARMS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FOOD PANTRIES;- LIGHT FORMS: AN ART CENTER OFFERING PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, EXHIBITIONS, INSTALLATIONS, WORKSHOPS, AND PERFORMANCES, AN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM, PUBLICATIONS, AND A SMALL GIFT SHOP-ALKION PUBLICATIONS: PUBLISHES AND DISTRIBUTES BOOKS GROUNDED IN THE PATH OF INNER DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED BY RUDOLF STEINER-NET POSITIVE: A PROGRAM THAT A) CONTRIBUTES MORE TO THE NATURAL WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS THAN IT EXTRACTS, B) HARMONIZES SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS, AND C) FORMALIZES AND EMBEDS THESE COMMITMENTS IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE ASSOCIATION. THE ASSOCIATION'S EFFORTS WILL ADDRESS CARBON REDUCTION, ECOSYSTEM STEWARDSHIP, AND CLIMATE RISK MITIGATION AT AN ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL AND WILL ALSO HELP CULTIVATE THE PROFOUND INTERNAL RESILIENCE REQUIRED TO NAVIGATE A DIZZYING CONFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND CLIMATIC CHALLENGES WITH OPTIMISM AND STRENGTH.
  4. $5.0 million spent. STORE, FARM, AND DAIRY OPERATIONS: THE ASSOCIATION OPERATES AN ORGANIC/NATURAL FOODS AND GROCERY STORE THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ALONG WITH A BIODYNAMIC FARM AND DAIRY OPERATION AT ITS LOCATION IN GHENT, NY. TUROSE, A GIFT AND SCHOOL SUPPLY STORE, IS ALSO OPERATED BY THE ORGANIZATION AT THEIR MAIN CAMPUS IN GHENT, NY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 August 2025.

    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 February 1972.

    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.