Cornucopia Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CORNUCOPIA PROJECT'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HANDS-ON EDUCATION IN SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND NUTRITION, WITH PROGRAMS THAT TEACH YOUTH AND ADULTS TO GROW, PREPARE, AND SHARE HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD.
- Income
- $547,235
- Spending
- $404,681
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 11 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 103
- Highest pay
- $79,351, 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (3)
- $69,538 spent. SCHOOL GARDENS: THE CORNUCOPIA PROJECT'S SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM ENGAGES STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH FIFTH GRADE IN HANDS-ON GARDEN LEARNING, TEACHING THEM HOW TO GROW FOOD WHILE INTEGRATING LESSONS ACROSS VARIOUS SUBJECTS. THE PROGRAM OPERATES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS ACROSS NEW HAMPSHIRE, PROVIDING BOTH IN-GARDEN EXPERIENCES AND CLASSROOM GARDEN KITS TO MAKE GARDEN EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO A WIDER RANGE OF SCHOOLS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, STUDENTS DEVELOP A DEEPER CONNECTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR FOOD, WHILE SCHOOLS RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT TO SUSTAIN THESE OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS.
- $69,538 spent. HEALTHY COOKING (KITCHEN PROGRAM): THE CORNUCOPIA PROJECT'S KITCHEN PROGRAM BRINGS LOCAL INGREDIENTS INTO THE CLASSROOM AND HOME KITCHENS, OFFERING COOKING LESSONS THAT HIGHLIGHT NUTRITIOUS, PLANT-BASED MEALS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE YOUNG CHEFS AND PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING HABITS. ACTIVITIES RANGE FROM CLASSROOM SNACK-MAKING AND AFTER-SCHOOL COOKING CLUBS TO FARM-TO-TABLE EXPERIENCES, WHERE STUDENTS HARVEST PRODUCE FROM THE FARM AND PREPARE MEALS ON-SITE. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES TAKE-HOME COOKING KITS THAT INVOLVE FAMILIES IN CREATING WHOLESOME MEALS.
- $139,076 spent. EDUCATIONAL FARM: THE CORNUCOPIA PROJECT'S EDUCATIONAL FARM SERVES AS A HUB FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION. STUDENT FARMERS, INCLUDING MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH, LEARN REGENERATIVE FARMING TECHNIQUES WHILE CULTIVATING CROPS FOR LOCAL RESTAURANTS, SCHOOL CAFETERIAS, AND FOOD PANTRIES. THE FARM OFFERS PAID WORK-STUDY POSITIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INTERNSHIPS, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS, JOB EXPERIENCE, AND ACADEMIC CREDIT. THE FARM ALSO HOSTS FIELD TRIPS, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT ENGAGE THE BROADER PUBLIC IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
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 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 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 July 2008.
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.
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.