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Homesteads for Hope Inc

EIN 46-2731613 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AT HOMESTEADS FOR HOPE, WE ARE DEDICATED TO NURTURING A COMMUNITY WHERE INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES THRIVE, FINDING PURPOSE AND BELONGING THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF AGRICULTURE. THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY FARM EXPERIENCE, WE STRIVE TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. TODAY, HOMESTEADS FOR HOPE IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND COMMUNITY FARM THAT FOSTERS INDEPENDENCE BY PROMOTING SKILLS TRAINING, SOCIALIZATION, SELF-AWARENESS, AND CAREER EXPLORATION. WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS, CLASSES, MEMBERSHIPS, AND EVENTS ON OUR ORGANICALLY PRACTICED FARM. OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THEIR FAMILIES TO GROW THEIR UNIQUE ABILITIES, PURPOSE, AND SENSE OF BELONGING TO CREATE A MEANINGFUL AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE IN NATURES CLASSROOM. OUR VISION IS DEDICATED TO NURTURING AND CULTIVATING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THAT CELEBRATES ALL ABILITIES,

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
-16.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
22
Volunteers
215
Highest pay
$67,425, ceo

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

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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)
  1. $177,217 spent. READY SET PROGRAMS: READY SET GROW, LEARN & WORK PROGRAMS OFFER A HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCED DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH I/DD OVER THE AGE OF 16, SUPPORTED BY SELF-DIRECTED SERVICES. OUR PROGRAM AND ROTATIONAL CLASS OPTIONS FOCUSE ON WORK READINESS AND SKILL-BASED LEARNING, PROVIDING AN AVERAGE FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT OF 30 STUDENTS. STUDENTS GAIN ESSENTIAL LIFE AND JOB SKILLS THROUGH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES IN FARMING AND GARDENING PRACTICES, LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION, AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. THESE EXPERIENCES OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDITIONALLY LEARN AND INTERN AT THE FARM'S VARIOUS AGRI-ENTERPRISE MODELS, INCLUDING THE FARM STORE & CAFE, PIZZA GRILL, FARMERS MARKETS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
  2. $214,341 spent. HOMESTEADS MEMBERSHIP: SOCIAL, GARDEN & CSA: THE FARM OFFERS A 3 TEIR PAID MEMEBERSHIP PLATFORM INCLUDING OUR BASE SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP, OFFERING DAILY FARM ACCESS FOR FISHING, KAYAKING, AND PICNICKING. PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY GATHERINGS, CLUBS, CLASSES, AND EVENTS. THE GARDEN MEMBERSHIP ADDS UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN CO-OP FOR HANDS-ON GARDENING, FRESH PRODUCE, AND SPECIAL CLASSES. THE CSA FOOD SHARE MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES 20 WEEKS OF LOCAL, ORGANICALLY GROWN VEGETABLES, HERBS, AND FLOWERS, WITH PICKUPS AT OUR FARM OR DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS.
  3. $28,103 spent. FARM STORE: TUCKED RIGHT IN THE HEART OF HOMESTEADS FOR HOPE, OUR CHARMING LITTLE FARM STORE IS BURSTING WITH FRESH-PICKED FLAVOR, HANDMADE TREASURES, AND THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY. THE STORE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND SERVES THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR JUST-HARVESTED VEGGIES, ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTISAN GOODS, OR LOCALLY CRAFTED GROCERY STAPLES, YOU'LL FIND SOMETHING SPECIAL HEREALL MADE OR GROWN WITH LOVE BY OUR APPRENTICES, VOLUNTEERS, AND NEIGHBORS. EVERY PURCHASE SUPPORTS INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES THAT HELP OUR COMMUNITY GROW STRONG.

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

  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 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 2024.

    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 July 2014.

    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.