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Organic Farming Research Foundation

EIN 77-0252545 · Santa Cruz, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SPONSOR RESEARCH RELATED TO ORGANIC FARMING, DISSEMINATE RESEARCH RESULTS TO ORGANIC FARMERS AND GROWERS INTERESTED IN TRANSITIONING TO ORGANIC, AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND DECISION MAKERS ABOUT ORGANIC FARMING ISSUES.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
20
Highest pay
$148,947, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $679,108 spent. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION: OFRF WORKS TO INCREASE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF ORGANIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ORGANIC FARMERS IN THE FIELD. OFRF MONITORS RESEARCH NEEDS AND EVALUATES HOW BEST TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. OFRF AWARDS GRANTS ANNUALLY TO RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS THE TECHNICAL, REAL WORLD CHALLENGES FACED BY ORGANIC FARMERS. OFRF PUBLISHES AND DISSEMINATES RESEARCH RESULTS FREE-OF-CHARGE TO ALL ORGANIC FARMERS IN THE U.S. AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN ORGANIC FARMING RESEARCH.
  2. $250,646 spent. POLICY: OFRFS ADVOCATES FOR THE NEEDS OF ORGANIC FARMERS AND WORKS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. OFRF WORKS TO ENGAGE ORGANIC FARMERS DIRECTLY IN EFFORTS TO EDUCATE POLICY MAKERS ABOUT ORGANIC FARMING. OFRF CONTINUES TO BUILD AN ORGANIC FARMERS ACTIONS NETWORK (OFAN), ADDING APPROXIMATELY 200 GROWERS ANNUALLY. OFRF ANALYZES PUBLIC POLICIES FOR THEIR IMPACT ON ORGANIC FARMING, AND WORKS TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS AND ADOPTION OF ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES.
  3. $137,131 spent. COMMUNICATIONS: OFRFS COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM WORKS TO MAKE THE FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE AND RELEVANT TO ORGANIC FARMERS. OFRF WORKS TO FACILITATE DIALOGUE BETWEEN FARMERS AND RESEARCHES. OFRF ALSO COMMUNICATES ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING TO THE PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.