Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE ABOUT AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 33%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 1,022
- Highest pay
- $61,076, former executive director
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (4)
- $567,798 spent. EDUCATION AND CAMPS. GORMAN HERITAGE FARM PROVIDES A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND CAMPS FOR YOUTH INCLUDING: SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, SCHOOL'S OUT CAMPS, SUMMER CAMPS(FARM CAMP, VET CAMP, CHEF CAMP, ETC), WINTER LITERACY CLASSES AND GUIDED FARM TOURS. OUR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ALLOW FOR HANDS-ON EXPLORATION AND LEARNING ON OUR NATURAL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM. WE ALSO PROVIDE CLASSES FOR ADULTS AND FAMILIES INCLUDING BEEKEEPING, COOKING, COMPOSTING, CHICKENS IN YOUR BACKYARD AND MORE.
- $361,245 spent. FARM AND LIVESTOCK. GHF GROWS A VARIETY OF PLANTS ON THE FARM, INCLUDING HAY, CORN, SOYBEANS AND ALFALFA, VEGETABLES FOR OUR CSA, FLOWERS IN OUR CUTTING GARDEN AND A VARIETY OF PLANTS IN OUR EDUCATIONAL BEDS. WE RAISE A NUMBER OF ANIMALS BOTH FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AS WELL AS MEAT PRODUCTION. CURRENT LIVESTOCK INCLUDES: COWS, CHICKENS, PIGS, HORSES, MULES, DONKEY, GOATS, SHEEP, RABBITS AND A FARM CAT.
- $112,624 spent. EVENTS. GHF HOSTS 2 ANNUAL EVENTS: ROW BY ROW FUNDRAISING DINNER AND OUR SIGNATURE SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL. REVENUE FROM THESE EVENTS GOES TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL MISSION OF THE FARM.
- $79,761 spent. RETAIL AND RENTAL
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Heritage Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 23-7327730. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.