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Covenant Pathways

EIN 47-3515588 · Vanderwagen, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Covenant Pathways farm (Spirit Farm) was developed to be a living example of how we can recover and reclaim traditional farming and spiritual practices, along with modern practices, to establish resiliency in our way of life, reducing the dependency on the very food system that is harming us. Spirit Farm continues to develop the demonstration farm that uses all organic practices, including microbiological composting, to heal the hard high desert southwestern soil. Our mission is to generate opportunities that impact individuals and communities with Native traditions that attach the human spirit to the Earth. In addition, we provide additional opportunities for growers to increase the quantity and quality of their produce, as well as use less water, which is a critical step when growing food in our climate.

Income
$405,603
Spending
$329,721
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
12
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$41,137, executive director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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. $161,074 spent. Spirit Farm: Develop and maintain a demonstration and experiential farm that uses only natural practices including microbiological composting, to heal the high desert southwestern soil and be a living example of how we can recover and reclaim traditional farming and spiritual practices, along with modern practices, to restore natures cycles to heal the environment and establish resiliency in our way of life, reducing the dependency on the very food system that is harming us. The farm provides visual models and discussion opportunities with growers of methods that can increase the quantity and quality of their produce, as well as use less water, which is a critical step when growing food in our climate. Technical assistants are trained annually.
  2. $51,247 spent. Community Education/Training: Provided bi-monthly workshops in the community and at our farm to create awareness and train others on soil microbes and how important they are to healing the soil, growing nutrient rich foods, restoring the natural water cycles and removing excess carbon from the atmosphere, Indigenous regenerative agriculture, microbiological composting trainings, food preservation, growing in a greenhouse, animal husbandry, etc. With extensive experience in both traditional Navajo growing practices as well as regenerative farming techniques, with the expertise required to assist growers, Covenant Pathways equips local indigenous growers start and expand their farms, sharing much of the 50+ tons of compost made annually on site. The organization also provides materials and hands on assistance to growers in several nearby communities. Visitors, native and non-native come to the farm to tour and experience the self-sufficiency of the farm.
  3. $27,827 spent. Bio Char Implementation - a program under Spirit Farm to make Biochar to be added to the compost. Biochar has potential to increase the biomass of plants, healing the soil through a natural process. This year the organization is preparing to receive the biochar machine that has the capability to not only make the biochar, but use the heat to warm water that is then piped underneath the soil in the greenhouse, warming the soil in order to extend the growing season.

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 2015.

    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.