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Chester Agricultural Center Inc

EIN 83-2899262 · Chester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO HELP GROW AND PROVIDE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM WHERE LAND AND HOUSING IS AFFORDABLE TO DIVERSE, ASPIRING FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS, LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND MARGINALIZED CONSTITUENCIES, WHERE FOOD IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL AND WHERE UNIQUE SOILS AND THE ECOSYSTEM ARE STEWARDED AND RESPECTED.

Income
$277,859
Spending
$721,103
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
52 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
31
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$110,000, 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 52.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 160% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 81% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $184,553 spent. THE CHESTER AGRICULTURAL CENTER INC ASSISTS BEGINNING-LEVEL AND MINORITY FARMERS BY PROVIDING THEM LOW COST LEASES OF AGRICULTURAL REAL ESTATE THROUGH A PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE ORGANIZATION. DURING THE YEAR, 12 FARM BUSINESSES WERE ASSISTED BY THE ORGANIZATION. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION UNDERTOOK A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO ASSIST THE CURRENT FARM BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES. THE CENTER ALSO CONDUCTED VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND RECEIVED NOMINAL RENT FOR USE OF SPACE.
  2. $173,974 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES TWO RETAIL FARM GROCERY STORES. BOTH SELL CROPS AND OTHER PRODUCE PRODUCED BY ITS OWN TENANT FARMERS AS WELL AS OTHER LOCAL FARMS. SALES ARE MADE USING A MULTI-TIER PRICE MODEL IN ORDER TO ASSIST LOW INCOME FAMILIES BY OFFERING THEM PRODUCE AT LOWER PRICES. BOTH STORES AIM TO PROMOTE RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN THE FOOD SYSTEM AS WELL AS ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY AND HELP BUILD FOOD SOVEREIGNITY. DURING THE YEAR, OVER 1,000 INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES WERE SERVED OF WHICH MORE THAN 50% WERE EITHER SEVERELY INCOME CONSTRAINED OR FACING SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
  3. $96,064 spent. ENGAGE IN WORKSHOPS AND A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM TO HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES TO HAVE IMPROVED ACCESS TO NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES PROGRAMS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN CONSERVATION.
  4. $61,508 spent. 1) COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOT RENTALS2) THE ORGANIZATION IS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR IMA-THE INSTITUTE OF MINDFUL AGRICULTURE, WHOSE MISSION IS TO CONNECT FOOD, FARMING AND COMMUNITIES TO A HEALTHY FUTURE. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, AND SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY.

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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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