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Grower-Shipper Association Foundation

EIN 20-0252395 · Salinas, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GROWER-SHIPPER ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE PUBLIC FACTUAL AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

Income
$190,337
Spending
$163,363
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 29%
Employees
1
Volunteers
110
Highest pay
$102,570, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $8,802 spent. THE AG JOBS PROGRAM IS A AN ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL EVENT CREATED THROUGH A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY MONTEREY BAY, AND THE GROWER SHIPPER ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION. IT PROVIDES A SERIES OF PUBLIC FORUMS FEATURING SPEAKERS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, AND AGRICULTURAL REPRESENTATIVES. THE SERIES ADDRESSES AGRICULTURAL ISSUES IMPORTANT TO AGRICULTURE AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY, AND IS DESIGNED TO INFORM COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. AG JOBS: BRINGING A GREATER VISION 2025 HARVESTING DATA: CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE WAS HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2025. 320 STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE EVENT AND CAREER RESEARCH FAIR THAT FOLLOWED.
  2. $92,085 spent. AGKNOWLEDGE PROVIDES POLICY MAKERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO "WALK IN THE SHOES OF A FARMER" SO THAT THEY MAY SEE MONTEREY COUNTY THROUGH THE EYES OF THOSE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MANY FACETS OF AGRICULTURE. THE NINE MONTHLY SEMINARS TAKE PROGRAM FELLOWS THROUGHOUT THE DIVERSE GEOGRAPHY OF MONTEREY COUNTY WITH FARM TOURS AND HANDS ON EXPERIENCES. 27 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM IN 2025 TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NINE-MONTH EXECUTIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. AGKNOWLEDGE PROVIDES PARTICIPATING FELLOWS A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE HERITAGE, DIVERSITY, STEWARDSHIP AND COMPLEXITY OF MONTEREY COUNTY AGRICULTURE AND THE INTERDEPENDENCIES OF AGRICULTURE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $51,856 spent. AG AGAINST HUNGER PROGRAM'S PURPOSE IS TO HELP ALLEVIATE HUNGER AND COMBAT FOOD WASTE BY CHANNELING SURPLUS PRODUCE TO FOOD BANKS AND FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. IN 2025, GSAF PARTNERED WITH THE FOOD BANK FOR MONTEREY COUNTY AT THEIR ON-SITE FARM TO CONDUCT GLEANINGS. IN ADDITION, THIS PROGRAM HAS CONNECTED VOLUNTEERS TO THE NATIVIDAD COMMUNITY GARDEN IN SALINAS, CA FOR HARVESTING PRODUCE THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE NEARBY COMMUNITY. THE AG AGAINST HUNGER PROGRAM HOSTED THE ANNUAL AG WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD LUNCHEON, WHICH CELEBRATES A LOCAL WOMAN THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE AG INDUSTRY AS AN INNOVATIVE LEADER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 November 2003.

    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.

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