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Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Inc

EIN 39-1629833 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WI Farm Bureau Foundations mission is to conduct or financially aid activities which assist in the education and instruction of young people and develop leadership in the ag sector as a whole.

Income
$637,601
Spending
$518,950
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
44.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$192,516, officer

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 44.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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 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 (8)
  1. $228,572 spent. The purpose of the Young Farmers Committee is to 1 promote the understanding of Wisconsin agriculture and its importance among farmers under thirty-five years of age, 2 encourage participation by young farmers in activities beneficial to the agricultural community in Wisconsin and promote leadership development activities.
  2. $84,075 spent. Wisconsin Farm Bureaus Ag in the Classroom program provides teachers and K-12 students with an understanding of how their food is produced. The program seeks to work within existing curricula to provide basic information on our nations largest industry agriculture. Ag in the Classroom offers a wide variety of educational resources, activities and support for teachers, schools, home school parents and volunteers working with agricultural literacy. AITC provides resources for PreK through high school grade levels.
  3. $39,943 spent. Gather Wisconsins focus is connecting individuals with the farmers growing and raising familys food through education, valuable resources and sustainable ideas to support farmers from home.
  4. Program Service Expenses 24,497, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 The purpose of the Promotion and Education Committee is to plan and carry out projects and activities to educate youth and consumers about agriculture and promote positive messages about farming, food safety, animal welfare, and other agricultural topics appropriate to adult and youth audiences.
  5. Program Service Expenses 22,466, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Foundation provides financial support for the Wisconsin FFAs discussion meet awards and Food for America program. Foundation also co-sponsors the Farm Bureaus annual FFA Farm Forum which provides leadership training experience for FFA members.
  6. Program Service Expenses 8,111, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Foundation supports 4H programs by sponsoring the 4H Key Awards given to Wisconsin youth.
  7. Program Service Expenses 18,834, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 UW Collegiate FB
  8. Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 21,666, Revenue 0 Grants Contributions - General

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 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 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 August 1990.

    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.