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Project Grows

EIN 46-1070735 · Staunton, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO GROW A HEALTHY COMMUNITY BY CONNECTING ALL PEOPLE TO NUTRITIOUS FOODS. WE DO THIS THROUGH VARIOUS FOOD EDUCATION AND FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS.

Income
$418,362
Spending
$557,136
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
24
Volunteers
127
Highest pay
$63,300, executive di

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

Financial health

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $306,153 spent. EQUITABLE ACCESS - PROJECT GROWS PROVIDES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO SUPPORT HEALTHY CHOICES FOR PEOPOLE OF ALL AGES IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE A MOBILE MARKET THAT DELIVERS OVER 13,000 POUNDS OF FRESH, AFFORDABLE FOOD ANNUALLY TO SENIOR CENTERS,PUBLIC HOUSING, AND CHILDCARE CENTERS; REGULAR FOOD DONATIONS TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED, GROWN ON OUR FARM WITH THE HELP OF MORE THAN 120 VOLUNTEERS; AND THE MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THAT HELP MORE THAN 2,800 PEOPLE ACCESS HEALTHIER FOOD EACH YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, PROJECT GROWS STRENGTHENS THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM THROUGH OUR MOBILE FARMERS MARKET, WHICH SOURCES PRODUCTS FROM OVER 16 LOCAL PRODUCERS; BY MANAGING THE WAYNESBORO FARMERS MARKET, SUPPORTING MORE THAN 35 SMALL FARMS AND BUSINESSES; AND BY PROMOTING THE USE OF FEDERAL AND STATE NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. EQUITABLE ACCESS - PROJECT GROWS PROVIDES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO SUPPORT HEALTHY CHOICES FOR PEOPOLE OF ALL AGES IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE A MOBILE MARKET THAT DELIVERS OVER 13,000 POUNDS OF FRESH, AFFORDABLE FOOD ANNUALLY TO SENIOR CENTERS,PUBLIC HOUSING, AND CHILDCARE CENTERS; REGULAR FOOD DONATIONS TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED, GROWN ON OUR FARM WITH THE HELP OF MORE THAN 120 VOLUNTEERS; AND THE MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THAT HELP MORE THAN 2,800 PEOPLE ACCESS HEALTHIER FOOD EACH YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, PROJECT GROWS STRENGTHENS THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM THROUGH OUR MOBILE FARMERS MARKET, WHICH SOURCES PRODUCTS FROM OVER 16 LOCAL PRODUCERS; BY MANAGING THE WAYNESBORO FARMERS MARKET, SUPPORTING MORE THAN 35 SMALL FARMS AND BUSINESSES; AND BY PROMOTING THE USE OF FEDERAL AND STATE NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
  2. $128,777 spent. FOOD EDUCATION - PROJECT GROWS PROVIDES FOOD EDUCATION BOTH ON OUR FARM AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CONFIDENCE IN GROWING, COOKING, AND EATING HEALTHY FOODS. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE HANDS-ON FARM AND GARDEN EXPERIENCES SUCH AS FIELD TRIPS, SUMMER CAMPS, AND SCHOOL GARDEN LESSONS, AS WELL AS FIRST-TIME JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH OUR YOUTH LEADERS IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM. WE ALSO OFFER COOKING CLASSES, FOOD TASTINGS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS. EACH YEAR, YOUTH AND ADULTS RECEIVE MORE THAN 6,100 HOURS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ACROSS MORE THAN 300 EDUCATIONAL EVENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2015.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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 April 2016.

    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 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.