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Family Farm Defenders Inc

EIN 39-1814573 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD A BROAD, GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT TO ESTABLISH A FAIR, JUST AND RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM, ROTTED IN GOOD SOVEREIGNTY, AGROECOLOGY, PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY. THROUGH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY, WE STRIVE FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE THAT CREATES A SOCIAL CONTRACT BETWEEN PEASANTS AND FAMILY FARMERS AND SOCIETY, ENDS CORPORATE PROFITEERING FROM LOW COMMODITY PRICES AND RESOURCE-GRABBING, AND ENSURES OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW GENERATIONS OF DIVERSE FAMILY FARMERS TO PRODUCE HEALTHY LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOODS WITH RESPECT FOR MOTHER EARTH.

Income
$55,211
Spending
$91,216
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Highest pay
$32,450, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 47% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 65% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
  1. $72,353 spent. FAMILY FARM DEFENDERS (FFD) SUPPORTS AGROECOLOGY, FARM AND FOOD WORKER RIGHTS, RACIAL JUSTICE, ANIMAL WELFARE, CONSUMER SAFETY AND RIGHT TO KNOW, FAIR TRADE - BOTH GLOBALLY AND DOMESTICALLY, AS WELL AS FOOD SOVEREIGNTY. FFD HAS ALSO WORKED TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS TO JOIN TOGETHER IN NEW COOPERATIVE MARKETING ENDEAVORS AND TO BRIDGE THE SOCIOECONOMIC GAP THAT OFTEN EXISTS BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 December 2024.

    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 1996.

    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.