Plant-Based Life Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of the Plant-Based Foundation is to educate and empower people to live happier and healthier lives through positive habitat change and the adoption of plant-based nutrition.
- Income
- $52,223
- Spending
- $65,589
- Reserves
- -9.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 0 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 658% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 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 (1)
- $62,602 spent. Taught 50+ students in Life Lab 360, the foundation's 12-month mentorship program that helps individuals develop new health-promoting habits, especially related to plant-based nutrition -- this included (1a) a monthly evidence-based class, (1b) and a 9-week intensive course called Design Your Life;Taught 60+ students a 5-week evidence-based class on plant-based nutrition offered through Stanford's Continuing Education program (Winter and Summer quarters); Taught 20 first-year medical students a 120-hour, 4-week summer elective course on lifestyle medicine with a special focus on plant-based nutrition (modules available to Life Lab 360 students were offered to medical students for free);Qualified for a $20,000 grant from the Craigslist Charitable Fund;Started a quantified-self twin experiement to look into direct-to-consumer omics tools to track lifestyle-driven improvements in metabolic and longevity biomarkers in response to lifestyle changes; Changed the technical tools used to operate the foundation and deliver its programs -- the changes included a new learning management system platform, a new email marketing tool, and a new payment processor system; all implemented to increase efficiency and decrease operational costs.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 2024.
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 January 2022.
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.