Community Agroecology Network
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Community Agroecology Network's (CAN) mission is to develop a network comprised of rural communities in Latin America and U.S. consumers that work together to support self-sufficiency and sustainable farming practices.
- Income
- $733,511
- Spending
- $789,204
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 11.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $110,615, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 51% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 June 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)
- $697,474 spent. CAN's network provides rural communities in Mexico, Central and South America and California with the tools to become economically viable through agriculture while also benefiting the environment through:Action Research: Farm-based research involving investigators and farmers with information generated from within and provided to the community. This year CAN facilitated action research initiatives in California focused on intergenerational knowledge transmission about agroecological and food preparation practices as well as collective experimentation on soils regeneration.Education: Community education, technical assistance, leadership development, consumer education, and ongoing exchanges and participation between the member communities. This year CAN held an international youth exchange focused on food sovereignty in Peru. CAN also raised awareness on U.S. campuses and at local farmers markets about agroecology and solidarity economies. CAN also facilitated a learning community in southern Mexico supporting youth learning about agroecology and solidarity economies. Marketing: Development of producer-controlled markets that support local communities and create direct links with consumers. CAN has developed a "Fair Trade Direct" coffee marketing system. By linking coffee co-ops in Nicaragua and Mexico with U.S. consumers, CAN helps farmers receive and just and sustainable price for their coffee. Through linking growers and consumers in a "Global Village Market," CAN connects economic viability with ecological farming practices, including transitioning to organic production and reforestation.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 2003.
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.