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Sowing Seeds for Life

EIN 20-3162713 · La Verne, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY, RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES FOR THOSE IN NEED, ELIMINATE HUNGER IN THE INLAND VALLEY AND TO SERVCE THE COMMUNITY WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$5.9 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
5
Volunteers
282

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. $5.7 million spent. SINCE OUR AGENCY'S INCEPTION IN 2007, WE HAVE STRIVED TO FIGHT HUNGER. WE DO THIS THROUGH THE OPERATION OF FOOD PANTRY PROGRAMS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES AND POPULATIONS WE SERVE. OUR PROGRAMS ARE COMPRISED OF GENERAL FOOD PANTRIES ALONG WITH SATELLITE LOCATIONS IN VARIOUS CITIES. ADDITIONALLY, WE OFFER SPECIAL DISTRIBUTIONS FOR VETERANS, SENIORS AND PERSONS LIVING WITH MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES. WE OPERATE A MOBILE FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM THAT SERVES STUDENTS OF LOCAL COLLEGES AND LOW-INCOME SENIOR LIVING FACILILTIES. IN DELIVERING OUR SERVICES, WE ANNUALLY PROVIDE OVER 1 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD FREE OF CHARGE. SSFL IS PROUD TO COLLABORATE WITH PARTNER AGENCIES TO PROVIDE WRAP AROUND NOT DUPLICATED SERVICES.OUR CLIENTS INCLUDE INFANTS, CHILDREN, STUDENTS, VETERANS, SENIORS AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. ALL CLIENTS ARE WELCOME TO RECEIVE SERVICES WHICH OFTEN COMPRISE UPWARDS OF TWO WEEKS SUPPLY OF FOOD AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS. BY OFFERING ITEMS IN SUCH ABUNDANCE CLIENTS ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN ALL NEEDED ITEMS IN ONE PLACE WHILE SAVING FOOD BUDGET MONIES FOR OTHER NECESSITIES SUCH AS RENT THUS HELPING THEM TO AVOID HOMELESSNESS.SSEL IS FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS, EMPLOYEE CAMPAINS, SPECIAL EVENTS, DIRECT DONATIONS, CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

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 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 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 August 2007.

    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.