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Drylands Agroecology Research Foundation

EIN 82-2651409 · Longmont, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceWeak30 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To restore the earth and our communities through regenerative design.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
28
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$96,000, executive dir.

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: 39 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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. $1.2 million spent. Focused on tangible ecological installations, land stewardship practices, and collaboration with industry leaders. Completed 26 Agroforestry Installations in the Front Range comprising 32,000 linear ft of swales and 7,000 new trees. Collaborated on projects with mentor, Mark Sheppard of Restoration Agriculture Development, on 6 projects in Colorado, Ohio, Utah, and Washington comprising 85,000 trees across 525,000 acres. Planned a 20,000 tree planting for Spring 2025 to enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Expanded our sheep and cattle herds to extend our regenerative grazing practices beyond our pilot sites. Harvested our own grains, bred for drought tolerance over 9 years, and grown in a former parking lot transformed by intentional livestock management and agroforestry.
  2. "Hands-on community involvement, food donations, and regenerative food production for equitable land access and nourishment. 400+ volunteers and another 100+ kids attended weekly volunteer days (MayOct) at the Food Solidarity Garden and Elk Run Forest Garden. 4,000+ pounds of regeneratively-grown vegetables, fruit, and heritage grains and 500+ plant starts donated to communities in need. Donated 3,453 lbs of regeneratively grown food to Indigenous elders, families, and local communities, addressing food insecurity in Boulder County. Supplied 600+ plant starts to families in need and co-planned and planted the Food Solidarity Garden at the Wind River Reservation."
  3. "Advancing agroecological literacy and scientific inquiry through structured programs, events, and written resources for both children and adults. Launched the 10-month Agroecology Incubator Program (AIP), providing hands-on training and career pathways for regenerative farmers and building an educated labor force for DAR in 2025. Launched the 8-month Foundations of Agroecology Course to apprentices, land partners, and the public. Spoke at 12 industry events and wrote a Land Health Encyclopedia to advance the agroecology knowledge base. Planned a multi-year hydrology study to launch in 2025 and applied for over $500k in grants to support the project. Led 8 immersive field trips and served 22 families through our nature-based education programs, fostering deep connections with land, culture, and spirit. Awarded $37,000 in scholarships to make ""Folk Farm"" preschool education accessible, with a fully enrolled Early Childhood Program and a growing waitlist."
  4. "Culturally-rooted healing and education initiatives centering BIPOC women and youth in land-connected leadership. Hosted three immersive weekend trainings with Ancestral Womb Postpartum Care (AWPC), supporting over 30 BIPOC women in plant medicine, spiritual protection, and body care. Provided sacred postpartum healing through Cerrada ceremonies, honoring new mothers and survivors of sexual trauma with deep rest, bodywork, and community support. Partnered with AWPC to lead the First Moon: Coming of Age Circle, offering a year-long space for youth of color to connect with ancestral wisdom and self-determination."

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 October 13, 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 June 2018.

    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 October 21, 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.