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Passes our checks

Black Farmers Index

EIN 85-2297065 · Lafayette, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Black Farmers Index ("The Index") addresses food insecurity, failures in the food system, and inequities in agriculture as part of our commitment to ensuring that Black farmers and growers thrive. This is done by providing a more successful consumer-to-Black farmer pipeline, as well as connecting agriculturalists to agencies, institutions, and salient resources that build their overall business through creative marketing, educational services, outreach, and intentional community building.The Index employs four pillars of focus:1. Increase marketing towards the Black AG ecosystem that includes growers, ranchers, fisherfolk, beekeepers, foragers, and foresters.2. Collect, assess, and distribute more accurate information on Black growers.3. Provide resources on pathways for harvesters access to capital. 4. Advocate for and inform Black agriculturalists on how to acquire farmland.

Income
$316,388
Spending
$300,855
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$51,375, president

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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 48% 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $184,572 spent. Partner in the US Department of Agricultures Transition to Organic Partnership Program for the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions: the Index recruits and inform farmers to transition from conventional to organic farming, or to enlist their organic practices in the certification process by way of community building, technical assistance, and outreach via on-and-off the farm.
  2. $50,098 spent. Maintaining and expanding The Index, a large publicly sourced online database of Black producers, growers, ranchers, beekeepers, foresters, foragers, and fisherfolk. Through The Index we drive exposure to farmers in the following ways: a comprehensive online directory; media promotion and short online stories; instructional short videos; educational workshops for farmers; food-centered virtual and in-person events; curated farmer lists for individuals and institutions; farmer features in news or other media outlets; and data gathering and reporting.
  3. $29,004 spent. Provide on-farm, agricultural-centered activities by curating tours, field days, workshops, meet ups, networking sessions, educational classes and dinner gatherings across the United States.
  4. Provide technical assistance, market development assistance and resource information to both producers and the public. This also includes data gathering and reporting; and collaborations with organizations and companies on initiatives.

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 October 2021.

    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.

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.