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Michigan Integrated Food & Farming Systems

EIN 38-3399769 · Okemos, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONNECTING BEGINNING AND HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED FARMERS TO EACH OTHER AND RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES; ENSURING SOCIAL JUSTICE, ENVIROMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND PROFITABILITY

Income
$621,426
Spending
$546,617
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
6
Volunteers
51
Highest pay
$81,678, co-director, dev. and service

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

Financial health

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 75% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, $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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 September 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. $185,722 spent. MULTICULTURAL AGRICULTURE - PROVIDE OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED FARMERS IN MICHIGAN ON VARIOUS TOPICS RELATED TO RISK MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING CROP INSURANCE AND ACCESS TO SPECIALTY MARKETS
  2. $108,864 spent. FOOD SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT - FOCUS ON SUPPORTING BEGINNING FARMERS IN GROWING AND SUPPLYING LOCAL FOOD FOR CONSUMPTION, WHICH INCLUDES MANAGING A FARM DEVELOPMENT CENTER THAT IS HOME TO BEGINNING INCUBATOR FARMERS AND DEMONSTRATION SITES FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
  3. $179,739 spent. EDUCATIONAL EVENTS - THE ORGANIZATION'S FLAGSHIP EVENT, THE MICHIGAN FAMILY FARMS CONFERENCE, IS A FORUM FOR BEGINNING, SMALL-SCALE, AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE FARMERS TO NETWORK, LEARN, AND BUILD SUSTAINABLE FAMILY FARMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 November 6, 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 September 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 October 1998.

    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 November 4, 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.