Norcal Hop Growers Alliance
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
NorCal Hop Growers Alliance is made up of several members who have a rich family history of farming in Sonoma County. We are botanists, ecologists, permaculture specialists, chemists, craft brewers, entrepreneurs, educators, and farmers. The purpose of our organization is to share research, knowledge, resources, and equipment, and provide marketing and networking opportunities for our members.
- Income
- $1,632
- Spending
- $2,952
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- Research and Knowledge (33%): We have teamed up with the University of California Cooperative Extension to provide ongoing research-based education and resources for the hop growing community. We develop relationships with leaders in the craft brewing industry in order to create a unique market where craft beer also means craft ingredients. One of our members, Warm Spring Wind Farm, offers courses on growing hops and provides over-the-phone and onsite consulting services to which our farmer members have free access. All members are given access to an online forum where we can pose questions and discuss creative solutions. We strive to assist hop growers to provide quality ingredients for quality beer. We believe that local hops can provide flavors and aromas unique to Northern California. Alpha and beta acid levels are important for batch consistency and we have been developing a relationship with Sonoma State University's Chemistry Department to create a program for analyzing local hops and providing growers and brewers with specific data on relative quality. Farmer members will have the opportunity to have their hops analyzed locally and receive comparative data from other member farms. With Sonoma and Napa Counties' deep appreciation for wine, we believe the average local craft beer consumer is primed for the next level of craft beer appreciation. Several breweries have begun to grow their own hops and grain, and others have begun sourcing ingredients from single hop yards within a given growing region. We are working with local breweries to build a new dimension of beer tasting. The idea that we can taste where a beer comes from, based on the ingredients, can help the local craft beer industry continue its proliferative growth.
- Resources and Equipment (33%): Efficiency is key in small-scale farming success. Many of the infrastructure start-up costs of building a hop yard can be reduced by group purchasing of bulk items or sharing in the investment in expensive equipment. The biggest challenge in efficiency for small scale hop growing is harvest. Hand labor is cost-prohibitive and affects the freshness of the product. We have purchased a hop harvester that will reside at a centralized location and be available to farmer members during harvest season. We are working on building a tool library that will be available to farmer members to borrow to make it easier to build new trellises, maintain hop yards, and help with harvest.
- Marketing and Networking (33%): By joining our organization, members gain access to potential clients and sharing in a brand that we are building. We are building a network of relationships between growers and brewers. Many of our members grow the ingredients that go into their own craft beer. Many members have been working in the beer industry for several decades. By joining our organization, members get access to several potential clients and sharing in the brand that we are building. Together, farmers have the ability to fulfill larger or unique orders for hops, and brewers have preferred access to fresh hops at harvest time
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
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? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 August 2017.
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.
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.