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Sprout City Farms Inc

EIN 35-2415295 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SPROUT CITY FARMS COLLABORATES WITH COMMUNITIES TO PURSUE FOOD JUSTICE BY CULTIVATING INNOVATIVE, RESTORATIVE, AND EDUCATIONAL FARMS. SPROUT CITY FARMS ENVISIONS A THRIVING AND EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEM SUPPORTED BY A NETWORK OF FARMS AND PARTNERS THAT NOURISH, AND ARE NOURISHED BY, OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

Income
$929,981
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
26
Volunteers
301
Highest pay
$102,325, executive di

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $603,469 spent. FOOD ACCESS: REMOVE FINANICAL BARRIERS TO HEALTHY EATING THEREFORE INCREASING FOOD SECURITY. - 55% OF PRODUCE GROWN IS ALLOCATED TO FOOD RELIEF PROGRAMS SERVING THOSE MOST IN NEED. - COMMUNITY FARM STANDS OPERATE BY DONATION, PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE, AND ACCEPT AND DOUBLE SNAP/EBT BENEFITS. - COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) SUPPORTS OUR FARMS, AS WELL AS THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, BY OFFERING SNAP/EBT, WIC, AND SOLIDARITY SHARES (50% OF MEMBERS) IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL PAID CSA SHARES. - FARM FRESH FOOD SHARED WITH THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM REACHES A POPULATION WHERE OVER 70% OF STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR A FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH.
  2. $47,127 spent. COMMUNITY AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: BUILD RECIPROCAL, INCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY-CENTERED FOOD SYSTEMS. - INCREASE COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO BUILD STRONG PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT SCF WORK AND THE COMMUNITY. - SCF HAS PARTICIPATED IN AND ADVISED VARIOUS URBAN AGRICULTURE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY'S BUILDING URBAN FARMERS CLASS, FRONT RANGE BEGINNING FARMERS CONFERENCE, COLORADO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, MILE HIGH FARMERS AND THE ANNUAL PRODUCERS SUMMIT, ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION, NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION, SOUTHWEST FOOD COALITION, DENVER SUSTAINABLE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL, JEFFERSON COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL, AND OTHER CONFERENCES AND EVENTS.
  3. $166,956 spent. EDUCATION: INSTILL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND VALUES REGARDING FOOD, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING. - THE SCF APPRENTICESHIP/INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES JOB TRAINING TO 8-10 ASPIRING URBAN FARMERS ANNUALLY. - WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES COVER A VARIETY OF TOPICS RELATED TO GROWING AND PREPARING FOOD. - FARM TO SCHOOL AT DGS INCLUDES CURRICULUM-APPROVED PROGRAMS FOR 550 DIVERSE KINDERGARTEN - 8TH GRADE STUDENTS. - FARM FIELD TRIPS, CLASSROOM VISITS, AND OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS OFFER VALUABLE AND UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO 1,000+ STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE DENVER AREA AT DENVER GREEN SCHOOL AND MOUNTAIR PARK COMMUNITY FARMS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2013.

    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 2024.

    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 May 2014.

    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.