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Regenerative Agriculture Foundation

EIN 84-4278182 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION IS TO FOSTER THE ECONOMIC, POLICY, AND KNOWLEDGE CONDITIONS THAT SUPPORT LAND STEWARDSHIP, PROVIDE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, PROTECT FRESHWATER AND OCEANS, ADVANCE A JUST ECONOMY, SUPPORT THRIVING RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND SUSTAIN DIVERSE HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL LIFE.

Income
$11.2 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
6
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$187,053, director, funders for rege

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 110% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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 (3)
  1. $4.5 million spent. RAF CREATED THE RESTORING REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO BRING AN EXPANSIVE LENS TO REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FUNDING BY CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT FOOD AND FARMING ORGANIZATIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ARE MAKING TOWARD TRULY REGENERATIVE FOOD SYSTEMS. THE PROGRAM HAS HAD 3 ROUNDS OF AWARDS TO 46 ORGANIZATIONS TO DATE, WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OFFERED TO ORGANIZATIONS FOR OPTIONAL ONGOING COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS. AWARDED PROJECTS INCLUDE BUFFALO REINTRODUCTION ON TRIBAL LANDS, SEED AND LAND REMATRIATION, AND TRADITIONAL FARMING THROUGH COLLECTIVE GOVERNANCE.
  2. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES OUR FARM BILL GRASSROOTS CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT, A COLLABORATION BETWEEN RAF, NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE COALITION, AND RAFI-USA, INITIALLY LAUNCHED WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM WAVERLEY STREET FOUNDATION. WHILE HAVING A FOCUS ON ADVANCING AGRICULTURAL POLICIES THAT ADDRESS CONSERVATION AND SOCIAL DISPARITIES, THIS EFFORT TAKES A BROAD PERSPECTIVE IN SUPPORTING POLICY ORGANIZING, AND INCLUDES SEVERAL FUNDS GOVERNED BY PEER AND PARTICIPATORY PROCESSES. TO DATE, 86 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE RECEIVED RAPID RESPONSE POLICY ENGAGEMENT GRANTS. AN ADDITIONAL 41 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE RECEIVED CLIMATE AND EQUITY POLICY PROJECT GRANTS. BOTH PROCESSES ARE PEER-LED AND PARTICIPATORY, WITH FACILITATIVE LEADERSHIP PROVIDED BY RAF AND RAFI RESPECTIVELY.
  3. THIS FUNDING FOCUS AREA INCLUDES OUR WORK VIA THE SHOT FUND, AS WELL AS OTHER GRANTS RELATING TO ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING. A PARTNERSHIP WITH RURAL CLIMATE PARTNERSHIP, THE SHOT FUND SUPPORTS DURABLE, TRANSFORMATIVE, AND CLIMATE-SMART FARMING PRACTICES, EMPHASIZING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MIDWEST, SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST. THE PRIORITY OF THE SHOT FUND HAS BEEN TO PROVIDE ON-THE-GROUND ORGANIZATIONS WITH GRANTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO SUBMIT AND ADMINISTER FEDERAL GRANTS.

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 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 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 February 2020.

    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.