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Earthdance

EIN 27-4160056 · Ferguson, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EarthDance advances food justice by training organic farmers and gardeners of all ages, providing connection to healthy food and the land, and cultivating vibrant community.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 33%
Employees
14
Volunteers
116
Highest pay
$80,178, executive dir.

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 79% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $496,772 spent. General program support covered an array of small but essential activities that ensured the continuity of EarthDance and its mission-driven work. These funds provided flexibility to respond to immediate community needs and maintain operational stability.
  2. $116,585 spent. EarthDance adult education includes Spring Training for Gardeners, a quick-start five week program for individuals interested in learning backyard and community gardening. In 2024, the program served 86 participants. The education offerings also include two full season paid apprenticeships, and five paid summer apprenticeship options for individuals pursuing a career in agriculture. In addition, 1,152 attendees participated in other workshops and farm tours. EarthDance also fosters an active volunteer corps, with 345 volunteers contributing more than 2,500 hours of service on the farm in 2024.
  3. $84,889 spent. Farm to School: EarthDance partners with the FergusonFlorissant School District to connect more than 10,000 students, families and staff to farm-to-school programming for ages K12. This initiative includes garden-based professional development for district teachers, an agri-culinary internship program that gives high school students culinary and farming skills, service-learning opportunities for young people on the farm, and support for school district gardens by the Farm to School educator at EarthDance. In 2024, EarthDance served more than 1,000 students and 18 district teachers through farm tours, field trips, nutrition and cooking lessons for students, and garden-based professional development for district staff. Two school district gardens were supported during our Plant it Forward event with activities such as mulching, weeding, bed building, deer fencing and planting in 2024.
  4. $67,817 spent. Participation in the Pay What You Can Farm Stand grew in 2024. Community members from the greater St. Louis area utilized the Pay What You Can Farm Stand 802 times, up 8% over 2023. $14,759 worth of organic produce was distributed at the Farm Stand. $4,879 in discounts off the retail value of the produce was provided, up 48% from 2023. 58% of shoppers were residents of North St. Louis County, and roughly one in four shoppers lived in Ferguson.

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 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 2013.

    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.