Island Grown Initiative Ltd
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Island Grown Initiative (IGI) is a nonprofit that works to build a regenerative and equitable food system on Martha's Vineyard. We envision a strong local food system that strengthens the year-round island community, restores the environment, and ensures people can access the food they need with dignity. Founded in 2006, IGI is now deeply embedded in our Island culture and community. We provide food access to 1 in 5 year-round Islanders each year through our Island Food Pantry, educate all Island children ages 2-18 about food in our schools, and produce abundant food to help meet local food needs using regenerative farming methods at our 42-acre farm. We also work with many partners to move the overall Island food system in a regenerative and equitable direction through growing, sourcing, preparing, and distributing food as well as reducing food waste.
- Income
- $6.7 million
- Spending
- $4.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 44
- Volunteers
- 413
- Highest pay
- $129,478, development 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (1)
- $3.6 million spent. Food Equity: IGI operates the Island Food Pantry that has 3,883 registered clients. It also produces healthy, nutritious stews, soups, and meals which are frozen and distributed arount the Island to those with limited access to transportation or cooking facilities. They operate a summer lunch program to feed children and their families during the school vacation.The Island Grown Farm is dedicated to regenerative agricultural practices, and includes the operation of a 30,000 square-foot greenhouse with soil beds for year round production. There is also a community garden, orchard, and land that is licensed to local farmers.Island Grown schools operates educational programs from preschool to k-12 and supports school gardens where children receive hands-on learning. There are also educational programs for backyard growers and local gardeners in regenerative methods.
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
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 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 August 2011.
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.