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Tennessee Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom

EIN 62-1448269 · Columbia, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES AGRICULTURAL LEARNING IN THE STATE INCLUDING PROVIDING TEACHING MATERIALS, TEACHER TRAINING, FARM TOURS, SCHOLARSHIPS, FUNDS FOR OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$381,109
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2,527
Highest pay
$363,382, treasurer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 63% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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 August 31, 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 (4)
  1. $224,077 spent. WORKSHOPS:IN ORDER TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE LITERACY ACROSS THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, TWENTY-FIVE WORKSHOPS ARE PROVIDED FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENT TEACHERS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY PROVIDING TEACHER WORKSHOPS AT ELEVEN STATE-WIDE WORKSHOPS, SIX COUNTY WORKSHOPS, AND FOUR PRE-SERVICE WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENT TEACHERS. TWELVE AMBASSADORS CONDUCT LOCAL WORKSHOPS FOR THEIR PEERS. TEACHING MATERIALS WITH LESSON ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED FREE TO WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS. THE WORKSHOPS ARE PRESENTED BY STAFF AND CONSULTANTS WHO HAVE A FARM AND EDUCATION BACKGROUND.
  2. $43,500 spent. FARM TOURS:44 FARM TOUR GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,500 WERE GIVEN TO COUNTY FARM BUREAUS TO HOST A FARM DAY TOUR FOR THE SCHOOLS IN THEIR COUNTY ON A GRADE LEVEL BASIS WHICH VARIES WITH THE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM REACHING OVER 9,500 STUDENTS. THE FARM TOURS HELP THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHERE THEIR FOOD AND FIBER COME FROM AND THE REQUIREMENTS TO PRODUCE THE VARIOUS FOOD CROPS. THE COUNTY FARM BUREAU USES THE GRANT MONEY TO RENT REPORTABLE RESTROOMS, PAY FOR BUS TRANSPORTATION AND TO PROVIDE COLORING BOOKS, COMIC BOOKS, AND OTHER AGRICULTURE LITERACY MATERIALS.
  3. $25,000 spent. GRANTMAKING:THE FOUNDATION SEEKS OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT FOSTER AGRICULTURAL AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. THIS YEAR, THE FOUNDATION WAS PLEASED TO DONATE TO THE TN AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OF THE FARM AND FOREST FAMILIES OF TENNESSEE.
  4. $27,400 spent. OUTDOOR CLASSROOM GRANTS:54 CLASSROOM GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,400 WERE GIVEN TO SCHOOLS THAT HAVE TEACHERS AND WHO ATTEND STATE AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM WORKSHOPS. THESE GRANTS PROVIDE THE STUDENTS WITH MANY HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES THAT ARE RELATED TO MATCH, SCIENCE, LITERATURE, SOCIAL STUDIES, NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE. WITH ALL THIS TIED TOGETHER, THE CLASSROOM GRANTS REACH MANY DIFFERENT CURRICULUMS AND ALL GRADE LEVELS WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMMEMORIAL GRANTS:EIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PRESENTED TO DESERVING AGRICULTURE STUDENTS WHO ARE A COLLEGE SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, OR SENIOR. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PRESENTED AT THE TENNESSEE YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS SUMMER CONFERENCE EACH YEAR.THE FOUNDATION ALSO SELLS COOKBOOKS HONORING REGIONAL RECIPES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 November 6, 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 August 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 February 1992.

    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 November 4, 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.