Highwater Farm Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We use sustainable agriculture to transform the lives of young people and increase access to healthy food in Garfield County.
- Income
- $481,380
- Spending
- $337,579
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 7.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $46,154, 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 68% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 36 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
0 of 250 of 0 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $299,306 spent. Highwater Farm connects the community back to the land through sustainable agricultural practices, stewardship, and youth development. We grow about 30,000 pounds of diversified vegetables on 5 acres annually and train young farmers in crop production. In addition to growing produce for our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program we route 15% of total produce to local food access programs.
- Positive youth development is a cornerstone of Highwater Farm's mission. With support from public donations and key community partners, 10 young people are served annually through our job-training programs. Programs include an introductory 7-week Summer Youth Program and a next level Fall Internship. Teens complete the programs with an understanding of local agriculture, respect for the land and the labor of growing food, and improved communication and job skills. By applying high standards and healthy methods of communication and team building, we bridge communities and better equip the next generation of leaders in our local community.
- Highwater Farm serves approximately 700 community members, including youth and families, across Garfield County annually. In 2024 the approximate number of individuals and families groups served in Garfield County were 120 CSA member households, 130 volunteers, 14 teens ages 14-17 in summer and academic year programming, and hundreds of food pantry, SNAP and WIC clients.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.