Center for Food Safety
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $4.3 million
- Spending
- $3.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 5.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $201,099, co executive director/legal 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 46% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 44% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (7)
- $1.6 million spent. Genetically Engineered (GE) Crops (also called Agricultural Biotechnology): CFS continued its work challenging USDA and other government agencies for not adequately reviewing the environmental and economic impacts of GE Crops. This work included submiting policy comments to these agencies to ensure they are are complying with environmental and other laws, and educating the public and poliymakers about the impacts of GE Crops.
- $521,093 spent. Animal Factories:CFSs impact litigation, legislative proposals, and policy initiatives aim to end the toxic pollution and inhumane treatment of animals in animal factories, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). At the same time, our litigation has and will continue to protect our oceans by halting the development of industrial aquaculture in U.S waters.
- $167,074 spent. Pollinators & Species Protection: Through impact litigation, policy initiaties, aand public campaigns, CFS works to stop the use of toxic chemicals in industrial agriculture that endanger our pollinators, other sensitive and endangered species,and that destroy their habitat.
- $106,684 spent. Organic: CFS works to maintain and enhance strong organic standards that live up to the quality and integrity that consumers expect from organic products including foods, clothing personal care products such as cosmetics, and pet foods through legal actions, policy comments, and public education. Climate: CFS work involves a systematic approach to limiting agricultural practices that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
- and advancing regenerative and agro-ecological practices that enhance climate resilience and sequester atmospheric carbon.
- Organic: CFS works to maintain and enhance strong organic standards 106684. 0. 0.
- and advancing regenerative and agro-ecological practices 0. 0. 0.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.