The Community Food Collaborative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Operates an educational farm at Fairfield Middle School
- Income
- $55,421
- Spending
- $100,844
- Reserves
- 5.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Highest pay
- $14,514, community outreach coordinator (jul-dec)
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 82% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $54,082 spent. Development of outdoor classroom at Cornerstone Community Farm and Fairfield Middle School (completed October 2025). Outdoor classroom will benefit the 950+ students at FMS, as well as serve the surrounding community for farm workshops and events.
- $5,229 spent. Farm educational program delivery through the Backyard Urban Gardening elective class, Henrico Education Enrichment Programs, and other workshops. The farm provides direct education and service-learning opportunities to over 500 students each school year. Additional community members are served through farmers' markets, farm stand, and outreach events (about 35 events annually).
- $10,815 spent. Operation of Cornerstone Community Farm. In 2025, the farm produced 3,500 pounds of produce for donation and sale. The farm is also a recognized USDA People's Garden, and was a recipient of a People's Garden Grant, which concluded in 2025.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 December 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 September 2016.
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.