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The Urban Farm

EIN 84-1304443 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE URBAN RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AGRICULTURE BY REMOVING THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY SUCH AS LAND ACCESS, TIME, LOCATION AND FINANCES; AND INSPIRE EXCITEMENT THROUGH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WHILE FOSTERING RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, CURIOSITY, COMPASSION AND GRIT

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
103
Volunteers
450
Highest pay
$112,199, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE URBAN FARM (TUF) PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR URBAN YOUTH TO ENGAGE AND PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AND FARMING BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION SUCH AS ACCESS TO LAND, LOCATION AND COST. TUF DELIVERS EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; ORGANIC GARDENING; ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION; LAND CONSERVATION AND EQUINE. THE GOAL OF TUF PROGRAMS IS TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL AND BEHAVIORAL LIFE SKILLS FOR YOUNG ADULTS. OUR ASPIRATION IS TO FOSTER COMPASSION AND RESILIENCE IN URBAN YOUTH AND INSPIRE THEM TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY, EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES. TUF SERVES DENVER METRO AREA RESIDENTS THROUGH YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING, SIGNATURE EVENTS, AND GENERAL ADMISSION, ALL STRENGTHENED BY OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND WITH LIKE-MINDED NONPROFITS. FARM TO SCHOOL: PRE K-12 STUDENTS ENJOY FIELD TRIPS TO THE FARM. CURRICULUM IS ALIGNED WITH EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS IN NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. THROUGH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS LEARN ABOUNT AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, FOOD SYSTEMS AND HORTICULTURE. AN ESTIMATED 20,000 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE FIELD TRIPS. TUF GROWS 13,000 LBS YEARLY OF HEALTHY PRODUCE THAT IS THEN DONATED BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY TO LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WHO MAY HAVE BARRIERS TO HEALTHY PRODUCE. ALL AROUND THE FARM - SUMMER CAMP: TUF SERVED AN ESTIMATED 800 CHILDREN THROUGH SUMMER CAMP, WITH AN ADDITIONAL 150 KIDS THROUGH THE SUMMER EQUINE CAMP. IN BOTH CAMPS, YOUTH LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR ANIMALS, CULTIVATE CROPS AND BECOME STEWARDS OF THE LAND. TUF REMOVES BARRIERS TO THE SPORT WHICH IS TYPICALLY LIMITED TO THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO LEASE OR BUY A HORSE. CULTIVATING CHANGE IN YOUTH: TUF AND DENVER JUVENILE SERVICES HOST A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM FOR AT RISK AND JUSTICE INVOLVED KIDS. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PROGRAM, MORE THAN 320 YOUTH HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. TUF PROVIDES EARN-WHILE-YOU-LEARN OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH AS THEY LEARN ABOUT HORTICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND ANIMAL CARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. LIVESTOCK CLUBS AND CLASSES: TUF IS THE ONLY 4-H CLUB IN DENVER AND ONE OF ONLY A FEW ON THE FRONT RANGE. TUF HOLDS CLUBS AND CLASSES THAT ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO UTILIZE ANIMALS THAT LIVE AT THE FARM. YOUTH LEARN HOW TO RAISE, BREED AND SHOW LIVESTOCK. TUFS LIVESTOCK CLASSES SELL OUT EVERY YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 November 1995.

    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.