Farmshare Austin
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Farmshare Austin's mission is to grow a healthy, just and equitable local food system by increasing community food access and cultivating new farmers.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 2.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 37%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $93,910, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 57% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (3)
- $1.0 million spent. FOOD ACCESS: Our food access centers on Fresh for Less Mobile Markets and Home Delivery, providing year-round, reliable, reduced price farmers' market quality produce and healthy grocery items to a 25 zip code area in the Eastern Crescent of Austin and Travis County, covering a 442 square mile area. Provided food access for over 9,000 customers and their families through Mobile Markets and Home Delivery. Distributed over 66,000 lbs of farmers' market quality produce. 20% of Fresh for Less customers shop using their SNAP benefits and Double Up Food Bucks, which stretches their food budget and provides access to high quality, nutrient-dense foods for themselves and their families.
- $257,713 spent. GENERAL: Other programs that fulfil Farmshare Austins mission to grow a healthy, just and equitable local food system by increasing community food access and cultivating new farmers. Over 35,000 lbs of organic produce was harvested from the farm, with over half going directly to community food access
- $222,098 spent. EDUCATION. Our farmer training builds a pathway for beginning farmers interested in launching careers in organic and sustainable farming, including Farmer Starter, Cultivator and the Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative. Farmer Starter completed its 19th cohort with a total of 123 graduates since the program started in 2014. Farmshare launched the Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative, providing land access, mentorship and technical assistance to 5 new organic farm businesses.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 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 July 2025.
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 February 2013.
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.