Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Common Roots Farm

EIN 47-1590387 · Santa Cruz, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FARM-BASED EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, TRAINING AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN AN INCLUSIVE SETTING OF AN URBAN FARM.

Income
$430,857
Spending
$237,341
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
48.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
7
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$40,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $191,932 spent. COMMON ROOTS FARM'S MISSION IS TO BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES TO GROW HEALTHY FOOD, BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THAT SUSTAIN EVERYONE. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY OPERATING A PRODUCTION FARM GROWING 25+ FOOD CROPS AND 30+ FLOWER VARIETIES FOR SALE DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC. WE OFFER INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, HOST EDUCATIONAL FARM-BASED WORK DAYS, AND HOST SOCIAL EVENTS TO HELP BREAK THE ISOLATION SO COMMON TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. OUR SALES OUTLETS INCLUDE A FARM SHARE/COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE SUBSCRIPTION (CSA) PROGRAM, A FARM STAND, WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION OF SHELF-STABLE PRODUCTS.IN OUR MOST RECENT SEASON WE EMPLOYED TWO YOUNG MEN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED INTERNSHIPS WITH COMMON ROOTS. WE PROVIDED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVER 200 PEOPLE, WITH A FOCUS ON SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN PARTICIPATING IN OUR FARM OPERATION. WE OFFERED REGULAR, WEEKLY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES THROUGHOUT OUR FARM SEASON. OUR VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED WITH ALL ASPECTS OF OUR PRODUCTION, INCLUDING WORKING IN OUR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE GREENHOUSE TO PROPAGATE SEEDS AS WELL AS PLANTING, TENDING, HARVESTING AND DISTRIBUTING FOOD AND FLOWER CROPS. VOLUNTEERS ALSO ASSIST WITH FLOWER BOUQUET MAKING. WE HOSTED GROUPS FROM THREE OTHER NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO CAME TO USE OUR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE RAISED BED GARDEN WEEKLY, AND THEY SERVED 10-25 INDIVIDUALS EACH.WE HAVE INCREASED OUR STAFF TO INCLUDE A VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR WHO CONNECTS DIRECTLY WITH VOLUNTEERS, OFFERING THEM ORIENTATION AND TRAINING AS WELL AS SCHEDULING OF THEIR VOLUNTEER TIME AT THE FARM. WE CONTINUED TO SERVE 15-20 INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO ARRIVE WEEKLY THROUGHOUT OUR PRODUCTION SEASON TO LEARN AND PARTICIPATE IN OUR MARKET FARMING OPERATION.TWICE WEEKLY COMMON ROOTS SUPPORTS LOCAL POST SECONDARY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO COME TO THE FARM TO LEARN BEGINNING VOCATIONAL SKILLS, INCLUDING HOW TO BE READY FOR A JOB, HOW TO COMPLETE A TIMESHEET, AND HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS OF A SUPERVISOR WHEN UNSURE ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED WITH ANY GIVEN TASK. THE FARM ALSO REGULARLY RESPONDS TO REQUESTS FOR FIELD TRIPS FOR YOUNGER PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITH DISABILITIES AND ARE IN SPECIAL DAY CLASSES. THESE CHILDREN ATTEND THE FARM WITH THEIR PARENTS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS AND AIDES TO EXPERIENCE OUR FARM, VISIT OUR ANIMALS, AND ENJOY OUR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE PICNIC AREA. WE ALSO ENGAGED 15-30 VOLUNTEERS EACH MONTH, HOSTING WORKDAYS ON THE FARM. DURING OUR MONTHLY WEEKEND WORKDAYS VOLUNTEERS ACCOMPLISH NUMEROUS FARM IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS STAINING OUR CHICKEN COOPS, REPAIRING SHEEP PENS, FILLING ACCESSIBLE RAISED BEDS WITH POTTING SPOIL, AND IMPROVING THE FARM'S GREENHOUSE AND ADJACENT OUTDOOR PLANT AREA USED FOR PROPAGATION AND PLANT SALE. THE FARM INCREASED ITS VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION AND ADDED PRODUCTS TO OUR LINE. THE FARM'S VOLUNTEERS SUCCESSFULLY PRODUCED FOOD AND FLOWERS, FOR WEEKLY SHARES, TO OVER 50 CUSTOMERS IN OUR 2024-25 SEASON.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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? 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 June 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 January 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.