Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To support the skilled agricultural workforce and provide leadership on behalf of the agricultural community in the areas of resiliency, workforce development, leadership, empowerment, and recognition.
- Income
- $224,298
- Spending
- $249,196
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 24
- Highest pay
- $93,090, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (2)
- $56,822 spent. Launched in 2018, the Employee Recognition Program honors vineyard employees who excel in Sonoma County's sustainable winegrape industry. All employees working for vineyard owners, vineyard management companies, or wineries are eligible. Each month, employers nominate individuals to recognize achievements across a range of areas including leadership, innovation, safety, frost protection, conservation, pruning, canopy management, and harvest.Monthly winners receive gift cards and community recognition through advertisements, social media, and local news coverage. The program culminates in an annual celebration, where employees, their families, and nominating managers gather for a catered lunch and live Mariachi music. At this event, the Employee of the Year is announced.Impact highlights: 314 vineyard employees recognized as Employee of the Month since 2018 7 Employees of the Year named, including the most recent celebrated in February 2025
- $122,849 spent. Established in February 2022, the Leadership Academy focuses on helping vineyard employees develop the skills needed to assume leadership roles. The program emphasizes professional development rather than agricultural techniques, covering areas such as leadership, human resources, compliance, safety, communications, financial literacy, disaster preparedness, conflict resolution, and community resources.In 2023 and 2024, Leadership Academy participants were invited by Congressman Mike Thompson to host the Congressional Wine Caucus in Washington, D.C., touring the Capitol and sharing their experiences with Emeritus Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This opportunity highlighted the essential contributions of Sonoma County vineyard employees to the wine industry. The tradition is planned to continue in 2026, providing future classes similar opportunities to engage with policymakers.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.