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Passes our checks

Frogtown Gardens

EIN 32-0376628 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 18% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Frogtown Farm is an urban farm with a mission to enrich the world by cultivating soil and community in Frogtown. The farm is built upon values of justice for people and the planet, connection within and across communities, resilience with chanllenged, healing through history and action, and learning.

Income
$389,929
Spending
$365,317
Spent on programs
18%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$58,815, assistant

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 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 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    18% 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 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, 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. $17,304 spent. In 2025, Frogtown Farm completed its 8th year of agricultural production on the 5-acre farm leased from the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. The year marked the launch of a new Farm Incubator model, with six grower groups cultivating food on this land. Over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce moved through trusted distribution partners, reaching more than 300 families per week across Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Crops grown on site included tomatoes, peppers, collards, radishes, eggplant, squash, herbs, beans, cucumbers, and corn. Food was distributed through 15+ partner organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Feeding Frogtown, the Sanneh Foundation, Sabathani, Ralph Reeder, Hamline University, Augsburg, and CSJ/St. Kate s. These efforts align with our mission to enrich the world by cultivating soil and community in Frogtown.
  2. $45,601 spent. In 2025, Frogtown Farm hosted community gatherings throughout the season, including Spring Cleanup, Cover Crop Field Day, Soil Health Workshop, National Night Out, and Harvest Fest. The farm also participated in events across the Twin Cities, including the 30th Annual Community Peace Celebration, Black Business Week, Farm Aid 40, Frogtown Art Festival, Frogtown Green Climate Carnival, Soul of Southside, Bows & Spoons, and V-Fest. Educational partnerships included Ramsey County Volunteer Labor & Learn, St. Kate s Volunteer Day, Ally Bank Volunteer Day, International Institute Volunteer Day, Civic Commons Living Journey Tour, Roots 4 Future Tour & Volunteer Day, and the U of M Plant Walk. The farm launched educational programming through the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and engaged two paid high school interns in applied learning focused on soil care, tool use, and harvest handling.
  3. Frogtown Farm served as a vibrant venue for arts and cultural activities in 2025. Programming integrated outdoor cooking demonstrations, food preservation workshops (pickling, fermenting, canning), and collective art installations including cyanotype activities at major events. The farm began development of Flavors of Frogtown, a community cookbook documenting cultural food knowledge carried by our grower groups and neighbors. The farm continued to attract bird-watchers, walkers, and anyone seeking a green space to enjoy, contributing to its status as a community hub for both cultural and natural appreciation.

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 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 March 2013.

    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.