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Michigan Foundation for Agriculture

EIN 27-0200380 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVANCE THE FUTURE OF MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE BY SUPPORTING EDUCATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE TO FARMING, FOOD, AND THE ESSENTIAL ROLE AGRICULTURE PLAYS IN OUR STATE.

Income
$7.0 million
Spending
$7.2 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
63
Highest pay
$628,447, secr and gen counsel

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (2)
  1. $6.4 million spent. TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER FUNDS FOR THE MFB GRANT. THE MFB GRANT PROMOTES SUPPORT OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU. THIS GRANT INCLUDES SUPPORT OF SEVERAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING: PROMOTION AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, YOUNG FARMER DEPARTMENT, FARM SCIENCE PROGRAMMING, FIELD OPERATIONS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL EVENTS. THE GOAL FOR PROMOTION AND EDUCATION IN MICHIGAN IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND KEEP FARMERS INFORMED ABOUT AGRICULTURAL ISSUES. THE YOUNG FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS A TARGETED PROGRAM FOR FARMER MEMBERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 35 INTERESTED IN LEADERSHIP. FARM SCIENCE PROGRAMMING INCLUDES 40-FOOT MOBILE CLASSROOMS EQUIPPED WITH EDUCATIONAL STATIONS AND TOOLED WITH STEM BASED LESSONS THAT MEET NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS TO INCREASE AG AWARENESS. FARM SCIENCE PROGRAMMING ALSO INCLUDES A VAN EQUIPPED WITH STEM BASED LESSONS THAT MEET NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS TO INCREASE AG AWARENESS THROUGH CLASSROOM-BASED LESSONS. FIELD OPERATIONS IMPACTS REGIONAL AND COUNTY LEVEL DEVELOPMENT WITH PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE. OTHER EDUCATIONAL EVENTS INCLUDE DIRECT EXPENSE SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY SEMINARS.
  2. $476,022 spent. AGENT CHARITABLE FUND: THE AGENT CHARITABLE FUND IS A DONOR ADVISED FUND FORMED BY FARM BUREAU INSURANCE AGENTS WITH A GOAL TO END HUNGER IN MICHIGAN AND FURTHER CARRY OUT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSES OF THE MICHIGAN FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.