Pie Ranch
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PIE RANCH CULTIVATES A HEALTHY AND JUST FOOD SYSTEM FROM SEED TO TABLE THROUGH FOOD EDUCATION, FARMER TRAINING, AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.
- Income
- $3.7 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $97,850, executive di
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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, 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)
- $2.1 million spent. PIE RANCH, INC. ("PIE RANCH") IS A UNIQUE FOOD SYSTEM EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND A THRIVING, SUSTAINABLE FARM ON THE SOUTHERN END OF THE SAN MATEO COUNTY COAST. PIE RANCH CULTIVATES A HEALTHY AND JUST FOOD SYSTEM FROM SEED TO TABLE THROUGH FOOD EDUCATION, FARMER TRAINING, AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS. PIE RANCH'S PROGRAMS HELP TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AND DEMAND FOR LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND FARMLAND IN OUR REGION; CREATE IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR SMALL-SCALE ORGANIC FARMS TO SUCCEED; AND BUILD A HEALTHIER AND MORE JUST REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM THAT WILL PRESERVE THE PRECIOUS LAND THAT SUSTAINS US ALL. THROUGH OUR FOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WE ASPIRE TO GROW THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOOD SYSTEMS LEADERS IN THEIR HOME COMMUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM HAS TWO COMPONENTS: OUR YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM IS AN EXPERIENTIAL OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT BRINGS PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE STUDENTS ON FIELD TRIPS TO OUR COASTSIDE FARM FOR ENJOYABLE, INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE AN ETHIC OF GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. THE PROGRAM SERVES AROUND 1,000 YOUTH PER YEAR, AT LEAST HALF OF WHOM LIVE IN ECONOMICALLY-DISADVANTAGED HOUSEHOLDS AND/OR ATTEND TITLE 1 SCHOOLS. AROUND 65% OR MORE OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ARE YOUTH OF COLOR. STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, AND LEARN HOW CLEAN AIR, WATER, SOIL, AND HEALTHY FOODS IMPACT THEIR LIVES BY ENGAGING IN ORGANIC FARMING AND GARDENING, COOKING, COMMUNITY BUILDING, AND LESSONS ABOUT NUTRITION AND FOOD JUSTICE. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS, CONSUMERS, SOCIAL-JUSTICE ADVOCATES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS THROUGH HANDS-ON OUTDOOR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP-BUILDING EXPERIENCES. A PART OF THE YOUTH PROGRAM, PIE RANCH YOUTHCORP IS A PROGRAM CURRENTLY OPEN TO SAN MATEO COUNTY YOUTH (16 AND UP) WHO CAN GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE AND EARN 17 AN HOUR FOR ENGAGING IN WORK PROJECTS AT PIE RANCH WITH GUIDANCE FROM STAFF (AND PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION). STUDENTS LEARN HARD AND SOFT WORK SKILLS, INCLUDING TIMELY AND RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY AND SCHEDULES, PUNCTUALITY AND ARRIVING READY TO WORK, COMPLETING TIMESHEETS, GROUP FACILITATION, KITCHEN SKILLS, WOODWORKING, AND WORKING WITH FARM TOOLS. THE PROGRAM TAKES ADVANTAGE OF PIE RANCH'S OPEN SPACES AND ENABLES MENTAL HEALTH. IT ALSO ENABLES YOUTH TO BUILD BACK SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH BY INTERACTING WITH OTHERS, AS WELL AS ENGAGING IN PHYSICAL WORK AND HEALTHY MOVEMENT OUTDOORS. OUR PUBLIC PROGRAMS DIRECTLY REACH A GROWING AND DIVERSE CROSS SECTION OF AROUND 3,000 ADULTS AND YOUTH PER YEAR FROM AROUND THE BAY AREA THROUGH TOURS, EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, AND MONTHLY OPEN FARM DAYS WHERE THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO VOLUNTEER, TAKE PART IN A GUIDED FARM TOUR, AND SHARE IN AN EVENING POTLUCK AND BARN DANCE. WE ALSO HOST AROUND 40,000 VISITORS A YEAR TO OUR ROADSIDE FARMSTAND. THIS PROGRAM WAS PAUSED IN 2020 AT THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RESUMED IN EARLY 2022. AT THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MARCH 2020, PIE RANCH PIVOTED TO COMPILING AND DISTRIBUTING LOCAL, ORGANIC PRODUCE BOXES TO BAY AREA FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY THROUGH THE FARM FRESH FOOD RELIEF INITIATIVE OR FOOD HUB PROGRAM. THIS WAS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG A NETWORK OF BAY AREA FARMS AND FOOD JUSTICE NONPROFITS TO GET GOOD PRODUCE OFF THE FARMS AND INTO THE COMMUNITY. CONCORD BASED FOOD JUSTICE NONPROFIT FRESH APPROACH SECURED THE GROUP A GRANT FROM THE USDA TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT ON A LARGE SCALE- PIE RANCH WAS CHURNING OUT 800 PRODUCE BOXES A WEEK FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. IN AUGUST 2020, THE USDA DECIDED TO TAKE THEIR FUNDS ELSEWHERE AND THE FARM FRESH FOOD RELIEF INITIATIVE AS WE KNEW IT DISBANDED. PIE RANCH'S CURRENT FOOD HUB PROGRAM IS DERIVED FROM THIS INITIATIVE. FROM 2020 THROUGH 2022, PIE RANCH HAS CONTINUED TO PURCHASE PRODUCE FROM FARMERS AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC AND DISTRIBUTE ON A SMALLER SCALE, MOSTLY TO OUR PESCADERO COMMUNITY AND A FEW PARTNERS UP IN SAN FRANCISCO AND EAST PALO ALTO. WE CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE BUYING FROM NEW FARMERS, FEMALE FARMERS, AND FARMERS OF COLOR AS WE KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH OUR OWN FOOD HUB. THROUGH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM, PIE RANCH COLLABORATES WITH HUNDREDS OF REGIONAL PARTNERS TO BRING ABOUT MORE SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND FOOD SYSTEM POLICIES, ENCOURAGE LOCAL FARMS TO GROW FOOD FOR LOCAL MARKETS, PRESERVE FARMLAND FOR FOOD PRODUCTION, AND ENSURE MORE FARMERS CAN AFFORD TO OPERATE SMALL, SUSTAINABLE FARMS. WE BELIEVE A RELATIONSHIP-BASED, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM WILL SUPPORT ROBUST LOCAL ECONOMIES, GREATER HEALTH, AND FOOD JUSTICE FOR ALL, WHILE PRESERVING THE NATURAL FEATURES OF THIS BEAUTIFUL REGION. AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM, PIE RANCH PARTNERS WITH THE AMAH MUTSUN TRIBAL BAND (AMTB) TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY AND PRESERVATION OF THE TRIBE'S HERITAGE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE. THE AMAH MUTSUN TRIBAL BAND IS AN OHLONE INDIAN TRIBE RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COMPRISED OF THE LIVING DESCENDANTS OF THE MUTSUN- AND AWASWAS-SPEAKING PEOPLES WHO HAVE OCCUPIED THE GREATER MONTEREY BAY AREA AND THE REGION SOUTH OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY, INCLUDING THE PIE RANCH LAND, FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. PIE RANCH AND AMLT BUILT AND MAINTAIN A NATIVE AMERICAN GARDEN AT PIE RANCH, WHICH EDUCATES 6,000 GUIDED VISITORS A YEAR ABOUT THE CULTURE, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND HISTORY OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF OUR REGION, AND SERVES AS A HEALING AND EDUCATIONAL SITE FOR TRIBE MEMBERS TO RESTORE THEIR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS AND TRADITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. THE PROJECT CENTERS THE EXPERIENCE OF NATIVE PEOPLES IN THE STORY PIE RANCH SHARES WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE LAND AND HISTORY OF THIS REGION. IN 2021, WE STARTED A COLLABORATION WITH OTHER BAY AREA ORGANIZATIONS TO BE CALLED THE PEOPLE'S FOOD AND FARM BILL. THIS ORGANIZING TEAM IS TASKED WITH CARRYING OUT A ROBUST AND EXPANSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED EFFORT THAT ENABLES BAY AREA RESIDENTS TO
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 August 2009.
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.