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Seed Savers Exchange Inc

EIN 43-1214133 · Decorah, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEDICATED TO SAVING SEEDS OF ENDANGERED GARDEN & FOOD CROPS, BY DEVELOPING A GRASSROOTS NETWORK OF GARDENERS & ORCHARDISTS WHO WORK TOGETHER TO COLLECT, MAINTAIN, & DISTRIBUTE TRADITIONAL VARIETIES.

Income
$6.9 million
Spending
$6.5 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 40%
Employees
69
Volunteers
62
Highest pay
$129,356, ex. director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 October 31, 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 (5)
  1. $3.3 million spent. SALES OF SEEDS AND PLANTS TO THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO EFFECT AND DEMONSTRATE "LOST TO THE ECOSYSTEM" NON-HYBRID SEED VARIETIES CAN BE REINTRODUCED THROUGH GROWERS' ACCEPTANCE. CULTIVATION OF SUCH OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE SEEDS HAVE BEEN PREPSERVED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S SEEDBANK, AND THEIR ENSUING DISTRIBUTION AND SALE IS A "SUBSTANTIALLY RELATED" DEMONSTRATION ACTIVITY.
  2. $175,135 spent. PUBLICATIONS OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS 7,708 MEMBERS WHO GROW AND EXCHANGE SEED OF ENDANGERED FOOD CROPS.
  3. $964,070 spent. OPERATE HERITAGE FARM AS A VISITOR CENTER AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER DEVELOPING A NETWORK OF ISOLATION GARDENS TO PREVENT CROSS-POLLINATION AND CONTAIMATION FOR GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS. GROWING GARDENS AND GENETIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS NECESSARY FOR MAINTAINING SEED COLLECTION OF 20,000 RARE VEGETABLE AND FRUIT VARIETIES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE LIKELY BECOME EXTINCT.
  4. $70,341 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE MAINTAINING A BREEDING HERD OF THREATENED WHITE PARK CATTLE AND HOLD THE ANNUAL CONVENTION.
  5. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE MAINTAINING A BREEDING HERD OF THREATENED WHITE PARK CATTLE AND HOLD THE ANNUAL CONVENTION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 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 October 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 March 1981.

    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.

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