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Heifer Project International

EIN 35-1019477 · Little Rock, AR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO END HUNGER AND POVERTY AND CARE FOR THE EARTH. WORKING WORLDWIDE WITH MARGINALIZED SMALL-SCALE FARMERS, HEIFER PROVIDES LIVESTOCK, SEEDS AND TRAINING IN SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (SEE SCHEDULE O)TO INCREASE INCOME AND IMPROVE NUTRITION. FOCUSING ALSO ON WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND SOCIAL CAPITAL, HEIFER THEN MOBILIZES COMMUNITIES OF THESE SMALL-SCALE FARMERS INTO COOPERATIVES AND FARMER ASSOCIATIONS TO ACCESS INCLUSIVE MARKET SYSTEMS.

Income
$162.0 million
Spending
$178.9 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
304
Volunteers
274
Highest pay
$506,044, president & chief executive officer

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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 21% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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. $95.5 million spent. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: SUSTAINABLE INCOMES: HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL (HEIFER) PROVIDES LIVESTOCK, AGRICULTURAL INPUTS, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO SMALLHOLDER FARMERS AS THEY SET UP AND SCALE SUSTAINABLE FARMING BUSINESSES. FARMERS PRACTICE INTEGRATED CROP AND LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT TO PRODUCE HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD WHILE PROTECTING AND IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT. HEIFER WORKS THROUGH LOCAL STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONS, WITH EACH FAMILY EXPECTED TO PASS ON LIVESTOCK, KNOWLEDGE AND OTHER ASSETS TO FAMILIES LOCALLY, MULTIPLYING THE GIFT AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL MARKETS.
  2. $31.8 million spent. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL WORKS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THE UNITED STATES AND GLOBALLY ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUNGER AND POVERTY, AND HOW THEY CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. ITS PROGRAMS INSPIRE PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTION AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS, SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED LOCAL FOOD.
  3. $3.2 million spent. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: AGRO-ECOLOGY: HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL (HEIFER) PROVIDES GIFTS OF SEEDS, GRAINS AND TREES AND TEACHES FARMERS AND FAMILIES GEOGRAPHICALLY APPROPRIATE AND RESOURCE-SOUND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES THAT ENHANCE AND INCREASE CROP PRODUCTIVITY AND ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. HEIFER WORKS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE FARMER'S ACCESS TO MARKETS TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC BENEFIT AND INCREASE PERSONAL GAIN FROM WHAT THEY GROW. THIS ALLOWS FARMERS TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY AND SOVEREIGNTY, INCREASE LOCAL FOOD OPTIONS AND AVAILABILITY AND PROVIDE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE LOCALLY GROWN FOODS. HEIFER'S WORK IS GUIDED IN ITS APPROACH BY ITS 12 CORNERSTONES, INCLUDING PASSING ON THE GIFT, ACCOUNTABILITY, SHARING AND CARING, GENDER AND FAMILY FOCUS, GENUINE NEED AND JUSTICE AND FULL PARTICIPATION. (SEE SCHEDULE O)ALL CONTRIBUTE TO HEIFER'S VALUES-BASED AND HOLISTIC APPROACH TO GIVING PEOPLE A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT TO A BETTER, RICHER LIFE.

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 April 1999.

    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.