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Friends of Navdanya

EIN 27-2233690 · Florence, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRIENDS OF NAVDANYA IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION SUPPORTING A WOMAN - LED MOVEMENT FOUNDED BY DR. VANDANA SHIVA THAT PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, IN THE FORMS OF SEED AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, ECONOMIC SECURITY, AND BIODIVERSITY THROUGH AGROECOLOGY.

Income
$399,561
Spending
$239,290
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
17.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
  1. $225,000 spent. STRENGTHENING SEED FREEDOM AND FOOD FREEDOM PROJECT, MAINTAINED 15 LARGEST SEED BANKS WITH CLIMATE RESILIENT, NUTRITION RICH, WATER CONSERVING SEEDS IN 8 INDIAN STATES AND DISTRIBUTED THE PROGRAM OF SEED BANK OPERATIONS TO THE HOUSEHOLD LEVEL REACHING AN ADDITIONAL 342 HOUSEHOLD FARMERS. DISTRIBUTED SEEDS TO FARMERS OPERATING 2,088 GARDENS OF HOPE. THE EARTH UNIVERSITY TRAINED & CERTIFIED 139 WOMEN FARMERS TO TEACH REGENERATIVE ORGANIC FARMING AT THE VILLAGE LEVEL AND OFFERED 5 COURSES TO STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. MAINTAINED A LIVING FARM AND LEARNING CENTRE. CONDUCTED LIVING DEMOCRACY COUNCILS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ATTENDED BY OVER 1,000 PARTICIPANTS AND A REGIONAL COUNCIL ATTENDED BY AN ADDITIONAL 5,000. CREATED AND PUBLISHED THE "EARTH DEMOCRACY MANUAL." REGISTERED ADDITIONAL WILD EDIBLE PLANTS. ORGANIZED ANNUAL REGIONAL SEED, FOOD & EARTH FESTIVALS.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.