Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CADE'S MISSION IS TO CREATE A VIBRANT, REGENERATIVE, AND EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEM IN WHICH LOCALLY OWNED AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES THRIVE AND COMMUNITIES ARE NOURISHED BY HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED FOOD. CADE'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER AND DIVERSITY OF VIABLE FARM ENTERPRISES AND RELATED BUSINESSES ACROSS THE SUPPLY CHAIN IN NEW YORK THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION, MENTORING, NETWORK-WEAVING, PARTNERSHIPS, ADVOCACY, AND RESEARCH.
- Income
- $446,205
- Spending
- $445,030
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 8
- Highest pay
- $85,008, executive di
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
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 44% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $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, 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)
- $301,608 spent. CADE'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WORK HELPS FARMERS AND FOOD ENTREPRENEURS BUILD STRONG, SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISES FROM THE GROUND UP. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR BEGINNING FARMERS, CREATING SOLID BUSINESS PLANS, NAVIGATING FUNDING AND FINANCE, AND DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS. THROUGH COURSES, 1:1 ASSISTANCE, WORKSHOPS, AND PLANNING TOOLS, CADE HELPS CLIENTS REFINE THEIR BUSINESS STRUCTURE, UNDERSTAND FINANCIALS, AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS THAT LEAD TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.
- $33,721 spent. LAND ACCESS CADE'S LAND ACCESS EFFORTS FOCUS ON CONNECTING FARMERS WITH LAND AND HELPING THEM MANAGE IT WELL. RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE ARE PROVIDED FOR FINDING FARMLAND, UNDERSTANDING LEASE AGREEMENTS, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAND OWNERS. THIS HELPS BEGINNING AND EXPANDING FARMERS SECURE THE SPACE THEY NEED TO OPERATE, WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING LANDOWNERS WITH OPTIONS FOR PRODUCTIVE LAND USE. CADE WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST AND SEVERAL COUNTY/REGIONAL LAND TRUST ORGANIZATIONS. CURRENTLY CADE IS WORKING WITH PACE UNIVERSITY TO RESEARCH FOUR LOW-/NO-COST LAND ACCESS MODELS FOR SCALEABILITY ACROSS THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY, NYC, AND LONG ISLAND WITH ASPIRATIONS TO SCALE STATEWIDE.
- $6,223 spent. MARKETING & BUYER RELATIONS CADE'S MARKETING & BUYER RELATIONS SERVICES SUPPORT FARMS AND FOOD BUSINESSES IN EXPANDING SALES AND REACHING NEW MARKETS. THIS INCLUDES MARKETING STRATEGY TOOLS (BRAND BUILDING, CUSTOMER/BUYER OUTREACH), SALES READINESS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND ACCESS TO INSTITUTIONAL AND WHOLESALE MARKETS. CADE'S RESOURCES HELP PRODUCERS UNDERSTAND CONSUMER TRENDS, STRENGTHEN THEIR BRAND PRESENCE, AND CONNECT WITH BUYERS THAT FIT THEIR BUSINESS GOALS. CADE OFFERS GUIDANCE IN THE DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER CHANNEL (FARMERS MARKETS, CSA, ON-FARM), WHOLESALE AND INDUSTRIAL CHANNELS. FISCAL SPONOSORSHIP CADE'S FISCAL SPONSORSHIP POGRAM ALLOWS FARM AND FOOD BUSINESSES TO APPLY FOR GRANTS NORMALLY RESERVED FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. AS A FISCAL SPONOSR, CADE BEARS THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING THAT ANY AWARD FUNDS ARE SPENT ACCORDING TO AGREED-UPON PURPOSE. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDE FUNDING. IT IS A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WHERE CADE RECEIVES A FEE (TYPICALLY 10% OF THE PROJECT INCOME) IN EXCHANGE FOR ADMINISTERING THE AWARD. WHILE THERE IS NO MINIMUM FUNDING REQUIREMENT, WE AIM TO WORK WITH CLIENTS SEEKING AT LEAST 4,000. MARKETING & BUYER RELATIONS CADE'S MARKETING & BUYER RELATIONS SERVICES SUPPORT FARMS AND FOOD BUSINESSES IN EXPANDING SALES AND REACHING NEW MARKETS. THIS INCLUDES MARKETING STRATEGY TOOLS (BRAND BUILDING, CUSTOMER/BUYER OUTREACH), SALES READINESS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND ACCESS TO INSTITUTIONAL AND WHOLESALE MARKETS. CADE'S RESOURCES HELP PRODUCERS UNDERSTAND CONSUMER TRENDS, STRENGTHEN THEIR BRAND PRESENCE, AND CONNECT WITH BUYERS THAT FIT THEIR BUSINESS GOALS. CADE OFFERS GUIDANCE IN THE DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER CHANNEL (FARMERS MARKETS, CSA, ON-FARM), WHOLESALE AND INDUSTRIAL CHANNELS. FISCAL SPONOSORSHIP CADE'S FISCAL SPONSORSHIP POGRAM ALLOWS FARM AND FOOD BUSINESSES TO APPLY FOR GRANTS NORMALLY RESERVED FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. AS A FISCAL SPONOSR, CADE BEARS THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING THAT ANY AWARD FUNDS ARE SPENT ACCORDING TO AGREED-UPON PURPOSE. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDE FUNDING. IT IS A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WHERE CADE RECEIVES A FEE (TYPICALLY 10% OF THE PROJECT INCOME) IN EXCHANGE FOR ADMINISTERING THE AWARD. WHILE THERE IS NO MINIMUM FUNDING REQUIREMENT, WE AIM TO WORK WITH CLIENTS SEEKING AT LEAST 4,000.
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 November 6, 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 October 1993.
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 November 4, 2026.
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