Ag Innovations
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 103 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Ag Innovations facilitates collaboration among diverse groups to develop holistic solutions to California's most complex agricultural, natural resource and environmental challenges.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 110
- Highest pay
- $150,000, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 42% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 103 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
- $839,733 spent. KEY PROJECTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:ROUNDTABLES, COLLABORATIVES, AND MULTI-STAKEHOLDER CONVENINGSGroundwater Leadership Forum (GLF): For 7 years, Ag Innovations facilitated this group working to make collective impact regarding the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements. Supported by the Water Foundation, the group undertook a systems level evaluation process of SGMA, and planned collective action to help it more effectively achieve its goals. This included increasing alignment, collaboration, and cohesion between environmental justice groups and conservation groups working on water issues in California. Work continued with a $2M technical assistance grant from the State Department of Water Resources to support drinking water and the environment in groundwater management actions. The Forum conducted the most comprehensive review of SGMA to date, becoming a trusted and known resource for State agencies. The GLF finished its work in December, 2025.California Water Action Collaborative (CWAC): Now in its 10th year, Ag Innovations continues to facilitate CWAC, using systems thinking to support water resilience and restoration in CA between corporations and non-governmental organizations. The Collaborative learned from experts about policy and issues facing water supply and stewardship in CA, and worked on issues related to SGMA, measuring collective impact on water stewardship. Ag Innovations facilitated working groups focused on regenerative agriculture (The Regenerative Ag & Water Lab) and watershed stewardship (The San Joaquin Resilience Initiative) in order to foster more and better collective action and investments. Both initiatives are aligned with State priorities and member interests. Tule Subbasin Multi-benefit Land Repurposing (MLRP), via Tulare Basin Watershed Network: Ag Innovations continued to partner with and provide services through the Tulare Basin Watershed Network focused on connecting resource management agencies, non-governmental organizations, land managers, tribal entities, and others on innovative, collaborative action around watershed stewardship. The main client is Pixley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), alongside eleven (11) other partners. Services to the MLRP initiative include outreach and engagement strategy, planning/coordination with all the partners, and support and implementation of a wide range of O&E activities. Efforts focused on design and facilitation of stakeholder engagement workshops, disadvantaged community advisory group facilitation, and grower outreach and engagement. CAPACITY BUILDING AND ASSESSMENTCalifornia Farm Demonstration Network Evaluation: This project evaluated a two-year period of performance of the California Farm Demonstration Network (CFDN), assessing how effectively the networks model and activities advance the adoption of climate-smart farming practices in California. Ag Innovations designed and conducted 21 in-depth interviews with farmers and technical assistance providers, synthesized and analyzed interview results, and developed tailored recommendations based on experience building and supporting networks. This evaluation focused on understanding network functionality through the lens of the collective impact model. Key deliverables included a comprehensive evaluation report and a summary presentation tailored to CFDN partner needs, as well as recommendations for strengthening and sustaining the network. Advancing Soil Health in Arid-Land Agricultural Systems Convening: Ag Innovations designed, facilitated, and documented a two-day meeting to develop a research program for arid- and semi-arid-land agriculture for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and University of Arizona. Drawing on its extensive experience working across the agriculture, academic, business, and funding sectors, Ag Innovations implemented a clear, structured process to bring together cross-sector partners. The goal was to align on priority research needs, establish key criteria for a successful research program, and outline next steps. The effort culminated in a comprehensive report for funders that highlighted key themes, outcomes, and recommended actions, as well as a summary for growers and other stakeholders. The facilitation approach resulted in clear guidance to support a broad research roadmap for resilient agricultural systems in desert environments.PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTSolano Subbasin Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): Ag Innovations continued its facilitation of collaboration between five groundwater sustainability agencies in the Solano Subbasin with adjacent groundwater subbasins. It also continued to lead public engagement to understand the interests and needs of beneficial users of groundwater in implementing the groundwater sustainability plan. Building on this foundation, Ag Innovations now supports the implementation of the GSP, which includes leading stakeholder engagement, and coordinating across inter-agency and inter-basin boundaries. It has supported implementation activities to provide education to groundwater users about the Subbasin and facilitated the Solano Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Collaborative to ensure effective groundwater management in the Subbasin.Delta Conveyance Project (DCP): In 2025, Ag Innovations continued to facilitate environmental justice outreach and a community benefits program for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). Through a variety of grassroots efforts, Ag Innovations reached 25,636 Delta residents. This included participation in more than 54 community events and presentations to 12 community-based organizations to inform residents about the latest DCP developments and how to get involved in the public review process of the DCP. Ag Innovations also facilitates community benefits program meetings with Delta communities to develop community benefits agreements that reflect goodwill and concern regarding adverse effects the Delta communi
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 July 2002.
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.