Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO PURSUE REWARDING CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $343,460
- Spent on programs
- 55%
- Reserves
- 47.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 47.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 170% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1555% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 October 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 (3)
- SEE SCHEDULE O
- $189,131 spent. THE FOUNDATION OFFERS PROGRAMS TO INCREASE AGRICULTURAL LITERACY FOR ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. A FEW PROGRAMS:SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS, PROGRAMS THAT BUILD AWARENESS AND A POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF AGRICULTURE, PROGRAMS THAT ACKNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORTS STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
- THE FOUNDATION OFFERS PROGRAMS TO INCREASE AGRICULTURAL LITERACY FOR ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. A FEW PROGRAMS:SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS, PROGRAMS THAT BUILD AWARENESS AND A POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF AGRICULTURE, PROGRAMS THAT ACKNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORTS STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 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 October 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as delinquent as of October 5, 2026. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.