Institute for Food and Development Policy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE OF THE INSTITUTE FOR FOOD AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY (FOOD FIRST) IS TO ELIMINATE THE INJUSTICES THAT CAUSE HUNGER. OUR GRAND STRATEGY IS TO CHANGE CONSCIOUSNESS, AWAKENING PEOPLE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR OWN POWER TO BRING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE.
- Income
- $257,596
- Spending
- $462,931
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 9.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 79%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 13
- Highest pay
- $125,450, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 80% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (3)
- $319,392 spent. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOR ACTION: THE GOAL OF THE INSTITUTE FOR FOOD AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY (FOOD FIRST'S RESEARCH WORK) IS TO GENERATE INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY. FOOD FIRST ALSO UTILIZES PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP THEM GENERATE THEIR OWN INFORMATION AND ANALYSES. THE COMBINATION OF OUR APPLIED AND PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH PRODUCES REAL-TIME INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS. OUR RESEARCH BRINGS THE PERSPECTIVE OF COMMUNITY-BASED STRUGGLES TO BROADER DEVELOPMENT DEBATES. THE CORE OF FOOD FIRST'S LONG-TIME WORK, OUR RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, IS DISSEMINATED THROUGH A VARIETY OF RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING BACKGROUNDERS, POLICY BRIEFS, AND DEVELOPMENT REPORTS.
- $12,606 spent. THE OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM: A) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/ CAPACITY BUILDING/ SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING/ EDUCATION - (ORGANIC FARMING EDUCATION, TRAINING ON ...THE OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM: A) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/ CAPACITY BUILDING/ SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING/ EDUCATION - (ORGANIC FARMING EDUCATION, TRAINING ON USE OF DRONES TO SUPPORT COST EFFICIENT AGRICULTURE); B) COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SUPPORT - (FISCAL SPONSORSHIP, SEED+ GRANTS TYPE ASSISTANCE)
- $11,757 spent. FOOD FIRST HAS PUBLISHED BOOKS AND HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES AND RESEARCH REPORTS HIGHLIGHTING THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUNGER AND AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF THE COMMUNITIES AND MOVEMENTS ADVANCING REAL SOLUTIONS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1976.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.