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Transfair USA

EIN 41-1848081 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 161 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

FAIR TRADE USA IS BUILDING AN INNOVATIVE MODEL OF RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS, CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM, AND SHARED VALUE TO ELIMINATE POVERTY AND ENABLE A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR FARMERS, WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$22.2 million
Spending
$20.0 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
99
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$469,274, ceo (thru 9/24)

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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 161 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (4)
  1. $6.0 million spent. THE FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED COFFEE PROGRAM CONTINUED TO DRIVE MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN 2024 THROUGH RIGOROUS STANDARDS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS, AND MINIMUM PRICE GUARANTEESMECHANISMS THAT PROTECT WORKERS, STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TO INVEST IN CRITICAL NEEDS. FAIR TRADE USA ALSO ADVANCED CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT BY PARTNERING WITH BRANDS AND EDUCATING SHOPPERS ON THE VALUE OF ETHICAL SOURCING, CONTRIBUTING TO 65% CONSUMER AWARENESS AND THOUSANDS OF FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE. BUILDING ON THIS MOMENTUM, WE LAUNCHED A COFFEE INNOVATION INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IDEO.ORG AND A GLOBAL COFFEE IMPACT ADVISORY BOARD TO EXPLORE NEW SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS POVERTY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, AND LONG-TERM SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY.
  2. $3.4 million spent. THE FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED CPG PROGRAM ADVANCED ITS IMPACT IN 2024 ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES BY EXPANDING INTO NEW PRODUCT CATEGORIES TO MEET PARTNER AND CONSUMER DEMAND. THROUGH RIGOROUS FAIR TRADE STANDARDS, THE PROGRAM ACTIVELY MITIGATED RISK WHILE ENSURING SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENTS, FAIRER WAGES, IMPROVED BENEFITS, AND STRONGER PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS. THESE EFFORTS REINFORCED OUR COMMITMENT TO ELIMINATING FORCED LABOR AND POVERTY WHILE CREATING MORE SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE SUPPLY CHAINS.
  3. $3.3 million spent. THE FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED PRODUCE AND SEAFOOD PROGRAMS ADVANCED ITS MISSION IN 2024 BY APPLYING RIGOROUS STANDARDS THAT PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY, FAIRNESS, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT ACROSS GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS. THROUGH ROBUST COMPLIANCE, IN-FIELD SUPPORT, AND PARTNERSHIPS SPANNING MULTIPLE COMMODITIES, FAIR TRADE USA PROTECTED HUMAN RIGHTS, STRENGTHENED LIVELIHOODS FOR FARMERS, FISHERS, AND WORKERS, AND BUILT COMMUNITY AND SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCY. TO DATE, PRODUCER COMMUNITIES HAVE RECEIVED FINANCIAL BENEFIT TO FARMERS, FISHERS, AND WORKERS IN 2024 $81 MILLION IN FINANCIAL BENEFITS, INCLUDING CRITICAL INVESTMENTS FUNDED IN 2024.
  4. $2.7 million spent. IN 2024, THE FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED FACTORY PROGRAM CONTINUED TO SCALE ITS REACH AND DEEPEN ITS IMPACT THROUGH ONGOING INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND PROGRAM INNOVATION. THESE EFFORTS SUPPORTED THE CERTIFICATION OF NEW FACTORIES ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE BEAUTY SECTOR. BY YEAR-END, 185 FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED FACTORIES OPERATED IN 23 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE, ENSURING SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS, FAIRER WAGES, AND STRONGER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THIS PROGRESS REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING FAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND DRIVING LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS.

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? 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 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 1997.

    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.