Pennypack Farm Education Center for Sustainable Food Systems
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MAKING LOCAL SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH FARMING, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
- Income
- $565,257
- Spending
- $589,914
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 6.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 68%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 440
- Highest pay
- $83,071, 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
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $455,320 spent. WE GROW: PFEC USES SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC FARMING TECHNIQUES TO GROW FOOD THAT SERVES THE 400+ HOUSEHOLDS WHO PURCHASE HARVEST SHARES OF THE YEAR-ROUND GROWING SEASON AND TO DONATE TO OUR FOUR PARTNERING FOOD CUPBOARDS. THE PURPOSE OF OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) PROGRAM IS TO BRING ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY THROUGH PAID MEMBERSHIPS (CSA MEMBERS) AS WELL AS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE. WE GIVE: OUR PRODUCE DONATION PROGRAM HAS THE CORE GOAL OF GETTING FRESH, NUTRITIOUS PRODUCE TO THOSE FACING FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE GIVE WEEKLY DONATIONS OF A PORTION OF OUR HARVEST TO REGIONAL FOOD CUPBOARDS WHOSE CLIENTS WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE. WE OFFER A SLIDING SCALE FEE STRUCTURE TO COMMUNITY HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW INCOMES WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE COST OF A TYPICAL CSA SHARE. THIS PROVIDES CRITICAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES THAT ARE CLEARLY COMMITTED TO GOOD NUTRITION BUT ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE FULL COST OF PURCHASING A TYPICAL SHARE OR OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE.
- $48,759 spent. WE TEACH: THE EDUCATION PROGRAM BRINGS INFORMATION ABOUT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND LIFESTYLE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH OUR ANNUAL CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, OUR ANNUAL FARM HARVEST FEST, TOURS, TALKS, AND WALKS. OUR COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WITH THE COLLEGE SETTLEMENT TEACHES OVER 3,000 YOUNG CAMPERS / STUDENTS ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF FOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ORGANIC FARMING. WE OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE FARM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS, AS WELL AS OFFERING FARMING INTERNSHIPS.
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
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 December 2024.
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 2003.
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.