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Food & Water Watch

EIN 32-0160439 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOOD & WATER WATCH CONDUCTS EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ENSURE THE FOOD AND WATER WE CONSUME IS SAFE, ACCESSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED. SO WE CAN ALL ENJOY AND TRUST IN WHAT WE EAT AND DRINK, WE HELP PEOPLE TAKE CHARGE OF WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM, KEEP CLEAN, AFFORDABLE, PUBLIC TAP WATER FLOWING FREELY TO OUR HOMES, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF OCEANS, FORCE GOVERNMENT TO DO ITS JOB PROTECTING CITIZENS, AND EDUCATE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING SHARED RESOURCES INCLUDING OCEANS AND WATER UNDER PUBLIC CONTROL.

Income
$20.7 million
Spending
$16.0 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
21.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
123
Volunteers
2,462
Highest pay
$262,459, founder & executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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

    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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $6.1 million spent. FOOD - FOOD & WATER WATCH PROVIDES PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN REGARD TO FOOD PRODUCTION THAT IS SUSTAINABLE, LOCAL, CHEMICAL-FREE, CLEARLY LABELED, FAMILY-FARMED, AND HUMANELY RAISED.
  2. $3.2 million spent. CLIMATE - WORKING AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL TO EDUCATE AND ADVOCATE ON CLIMATE CHANGE BY ELIMINATING THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF FOSSIL FUELS WHICH MAKES PROGRESS TOWARDS BANNING FRACKING AND STOPPING NEW AND EXISTING FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE.
  3. $3.1 million spent. WATER - THE WATER PROGRAM EDUCATES AND ADVOCATES ABOUT AFFORDABLE, PUBLICLY CONTROLLED DRINKING WATER, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS OF BOTTLED WATER, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS OF FRACKING AND FOSSIL FUELS, THE IMPORTANCE OF MOVING FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO SAFE, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 2006.

    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.

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