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Friends of Lachat Inc

EIN 80-0768651 · Weston, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF FRIENDS OF LACHAT, INC. IS TO RESTORE, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE FARMHOUSE, GROUNDS AND OTHER FACILITIES AT LACHAT TOWN FARM, A MUNICIPAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF WESTON, CT. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE LACHAT TOWN FARM.

Income
$703,081
Spending
$603,841
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
2
Volunteers
85

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $155,407 spent. CHILDRENS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING: THE YOUTH PROGRAM RAN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR THE WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL. EACH SEASON AND WEEK HAD DIFFERENT THEMES FOR THE CHILDREN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NATURE, FARMING, AND CREATIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS. OVER 300 CHILDREN PARITICIPATED IN THIS YEARS PROGRAMS.
  2. $144,701 spent. EDUCATION, NATURE & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: THE ORGANIZATION RUNS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS YEAR ROUND INCLUDING GARDENING, COOKING, WELLNESS AND CRAFTING CLASSES. ADDITIONALLY, THE FARM OFFERS A VARIETY OF YEAR ROUND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDING SUNDAY SUPPERS, MARKETS AND A COMMUNITY GARDEN ALLOWING FOR THOSE OF ALL AGES TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS FORMS OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENJOYMENT OF LAND AT LACHAT TOWN FARM.
  3. $140,425 spent. FACILITY RESTORATION, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT: THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO MAKE MEANINGFUL EXPENDITURES TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE LACHAT TOWN FARM INCLUDING LANDSCAPING, FACILITY MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES, PAYING FOR UTILITIES AND ANIMAL CARE EXPENSES FOR THE GOATS, RABBITS AND BEES. EXPENDITURES THIS YEAR INCLUDED LOWER FIELD REMEDIATION AND BLINDS FOR THE COMMUNITY ROOM.
  4. $126,856 spent. MUSIC/THEATER EVENTS: THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS LIVE MUSIC AND THEATER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, PUTTING TO USE THE ENTIRE PROPERTY FOR IMMERSIVE THEATER EVENTS, THE UPPER FIELDS FOR SUMMER OUTDOOR MUSIC EVENTS AND THE OFFUTT CENTER FOR INDOOR MUSIC AND THEATER EVENTS IN THE WINTER MONTHS.THESE EVENTS OFFER THE COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTS EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE LAND AT LACHAT TOWN FARM.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.