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Oregon Agricultural Trust Inc

EIN 84-3396259 · Salem, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OREGON AGRICULTURAL TRUST PARTNERS WITH FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LANDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF OREGONS ECONOMY, COMMUNITIES, AND LANDSCAPES.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
13.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
10
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$132,409, 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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, 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 (1)
  1. $829,022 spent. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM OATS LAND PROTECTION OUTCOMES ARE PRIMARILY THE RESULT OF WORKING LAND EASEMENTS. THESE VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS WITH LANDOWNERS, FACILITATING THE PERMANENT CONSERVATION OF THEIR AGRICULTURAL LAND THROUGH OUR LAND TRUST. REMOVING DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ALLOWS LANDOWNERS TO EARN CASH AND TAX BREAKS WITHOUT SELLING OR DEVELOPING PARCELS, AIDING BUSINESS EXPANSION OR SUCCESSION PLANNING IN THE NEAR TERM, AND MAKING LAND MORE AFFORDABLE FOR FUTURE FARMERS IN THE LONG TERM.AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS SUPPORT THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, BUSINESS VITALITY SUPPORT, AND SUCCESSION COUNSELING, FARMERS AND RANCHERS GAIN GREATER AWARENESS OF THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS AVAILABLE TO THEM, BUILD THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF THEIR OPERATIONS, AND PREPARE FOR SMOOTH BUSINESS TRANSITIONS TO THE NEXT GENERATION. ATTORNEYS, ACCOUNTANTS, AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO SERVE THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, HELPING TO STRENGTHEN OREGONS AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THE TRUSTS GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN THE STATE. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE ORGANIZATION HOLDING EASEMENTS, BUT ALSO THROUGH THE INCREASED CAPACITY OF FELLOW LAND TRUSTS AND OTHER EASEMENT HOLDERS. THE TRUST SUPPORTS OUR PEER ORGANIZATIONS AS THEY CONSERVE AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN THEIR REGIONS. THIS INCLUDES REFERRALS, RESEARCH AND REPORT WRITING, CUSTOM GIS MAPPING, STAKEHOLDER CONVENING, COALITION MANAGEMENT, COLLABORATIVE GRANT WRITING, AND PARTNERING ON PROJECTS THAT RESULT IN THE PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS.PUBLIC SUPPORT & POLICY OAT EDUCATES NON-PRODUCERS ABOUT ITS WORK, HIGHLIGHTING THE PUBLIC BENEFITS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND PROTECTION AND CREATING MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BECOME DONORS AND ADVOCATES. THE TRUST ALSO ENGAGES WITH LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL DECISION-MAKERS TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS AND AGRICULTURAL LAND PROTECTION.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 July 2020.

    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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