High Desert Food & Farm Alliance
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY AND THRIVING FOOD AND FARM NETWORK IN CENTRAL OREGON THROUGH EDUCATION, COLLABORATION AND INCLUSIVITY.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 4.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $87,684, executive dir.
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 62% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $513,869 spent. FOOD ACCESSTHROUGH SIGNATURE PROGRAMS LIKE OUR GROW & GIVE PROGRAM (FRESH PRODUCE COLLECTED AND DELIVERED TO OUR REGIONAL FOOD BANK), FRESH HARVEST KITS ("READY-TO-COOK MEAL BAGS" WITH FRESH PRODUCE THAT FEEDS A FAMILY OF FOUR), AND VEGGIERX (PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FRESH PRODUCE TO PARTICIPANTS), WE BRING FRESH, LOCALLY SOURCED, NUTRITIOUS PRODUCE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY THROUGHOUT THE CENTRAL OREGON TRI-COUNTY REGION.
- $202,962 spent. FARMER SUPPORTHDFFA PARTNERS EXTENSIVELY WITH FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO FIND AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT, OFFER MENTORSHIP, NETWORKING, MARKETING, AND EDUCATION CLASSES. WHEN FUNDING ALLOWS, WE PROVIDE ON-FARM EFFICIENCY GRANTS TO AID FARMERS AND RANCHERS. ADDITIONALLY, WE MAKE DIRECT PAYMENTS TO FARMERS FOR PRODUCE PURCHASED FOR OUR FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS.
- $42,824 spent. DIRECTORY EDUCATIONWE EDUCATE CONSUMERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES ON WHERE TO FIND LOCALLY SOURCED FRESH FOODS. TO THAT END, WE DISTRIBUTE OVER 32,000 FOOD AND FARM DIRECTORIES EACH YEAR TO CONNECT CONSUMERS WITH OUR REGIONAL GROWERS AND PRODUCERS. WE FURTHER HELPED DEVELOP THE HIGH DESERT FOOD TRAIL TO PROMOTE AGRITOURISM IN CENTRAL OREGON. WE FURTHER OFFER FILM SCREENINGS, FARM-TO-TABLE DINNERS, FOOD SAMPLINGS, AND OTHER EVENTS INTENDED TO INCREASE AN APPETITE FOR LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.