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Red Wiggler Foundation Inc

EIN 52-1973795 · Clarksburg, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$948,841
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
35
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$117,109, former executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 September 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. $1.0 million spent. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPT PURPOSE ACHIEVEMENTS: RED WIGGLER CULTIVATES BELONGING AND WELL-BEING THROUGH CARE FARMING AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING. - AT RED WIGGLER CARE FARM, PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOUT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COME TOGETHER TO WORK, LEARN, GROW, AND SHARE FOOD. - THE CARE FARMING NETWORK INCREASES CAPACITY, BUILDS COMMUNITY, AND RAISES AWARENESS FOR CARE FARMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. 1. GROWER PROGRAM: THE GROWER PROGRAM PROVIDES MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, KNOWN AS GROWERS, WHO ARE INTEGRAL TO RED WIGGLER'S FARM OPERATIONS. GROWERS ENGAGE IN ALL ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING, INCLUDING PLANTING, HARVESTING, TOOL USAGE, GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT, AND MAINTAINING FIELDS AND FACILITIES. EACH GROWER IS PAIRED WITH A MENTOR TO SUPPORT GOAL-SETTING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS 52 IDENTIFIED FARMING TASKS. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES INDIVIDUALIZED GROWTH THROUGH ANNUAL GOAL TRACKING AND ENCOURAGES INCREASING LEVELS OF INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, AND PRIDE IN ONE'S CONTRIBUTIONS. A. FY25 HIGHLIGHT: 5,543 TOTAL GROWER HOURS WERE WORKED, A 10% INCREASE OVER FY24, 100% OF GROWERS LEARNED A NEW SKILL OR IMPROVED AN EXISTING SKILL. 2. HARVEST SHARE: RED WIGGLER'S HARVEST SHARE PROGRAM CONNECTS THE COMMUNITY WITH FRESH, CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCE GROWN ON THE FARM. MEMBERS RECEIVE WEEKLY SHARES OF SEASONAL VEGETABLES, ALONG WITH NEWSLETTERS AND RECIPES THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE LIVING. IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL CSA MEMBERSHIPS, THE PROGRAM ENSURES EQUITABLE FOOD DISTRIBUTION THROUGH OUR FARM TO FOOD BANK INITIATIVE AND GROUP HOME PARTNERSHIPS, WHICH TOGETHER ALLOCATE 50% OF THE FARM'S YIELD TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE. A. FY25 HIGHLIGHT: 59% OF ALL PRODUCE WENT TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS 3. EDUCATION AND SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM: RED WIGGLER'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFER HANDS-ON, INCLUSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS OF ALL ABILITIES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE FARM TOURS, FIELD TRIPS, WORKSHOPS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, HEALTHY EATING, AND SOCIAL INCLUSION. DESIGNED FOR SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND ORGANIZATIONS, THESE EXPERIENCES FOSTER A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND THE ROLE OF NEURODIVERSITY IN THE FOOD SYSTEM. A. FY25 HIGHLIGHT: 98% OF PARTICIPANTS WORKED ALONGSIDE GROWERS AND 87% OF TOURS WERE LED OR CO-LED BY A GROWER. 4. CARE FARMING NETWORK: THE CARE FARMING NETWORK IS A NATIONAL INITIATIVE LAUNCHED BY RED WIGGLER TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF FARMING TO PROMOTE WELLBEING AND BELONGING FOR INDIVIDUALS FROM MARGINALIZED AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. BY FOSTERING COLLABORATION AMONG CARE FARMS, THE NETWORK ENHANCES PROGRAM QUALITY, BUILDS ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY, AND PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THE CARE FARMING NETWORK SERVES AS A HUB FOR KNOWLEDGE SHARING, ADVOCACY, AND CONNECTION FOR PRACTITIONERS DEDICATED TO INCLUSIVE, HEALING-CENTERED AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. A. FY25 HIGHLIGHT: WE HOSTED OUR FIRST ANNUAL NATIONAL CARE FARMING NETWORK CONFERENCE AND 100% OF CONFERENCE ATTENDEES WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY REPORTED THAT THEY LEARNED SOMETHING NEW AND FELT MORE CONNECTED TO OTHER CARE FARMERS AFTER ATTENDING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 July 1997.

    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.