Carnation Farms
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Carnation Farms is a community-based hub for regenerative food and agriculture that educates and empowers the work of culinary & food and farming professionals.
- Income
- $5.2 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 40
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $157,533, fin. controller
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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 58% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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)
- $2.2 million spent. Agriculture- Carnation Farms regenerative and sustainable agriculture activities include 400 acres of certified organic vegetable, fruit, hay, and livestock production for sale and use in educational programs. The Carnation Farmstand welcomes over 10,000 visitors annually, selling farm products to the community and offering a marketplace for other local farmers. Products are also distributed to restaurants, caterers, and hunger-relief organizations, advancing our mission of promoting regenerative agriculture, local food access, and community engagement.
- $498,099 spent. Culinary - The culinary program showcases the connection between regenerative agriculture and wholesome, seasonal food through farm-to-table cooking and education. Using ingredients from our certified organic farm, the culinary team prepares meals for retreats, weddings, and community events, and creates value-added products for the Farmstand. The program fosters food literacy and appreciation for sustainable practices that strengthen local food systems.
- $235,061 spent. Retreats & Weddings-Carnation Farms hosts retreats and weddings that connect people to the land through experiences rooted in sustainability and community. Guests enjoy the farms natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine, and regenerative farming environment. Revenue from these events supports our agricultural, culinary, and educational programs, helping sustain our mission to promote healthy food systems and environmental stewardship.
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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 September 2016.
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 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.