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Passes our checks

Small Places

EIN 85-4185029 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 50% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

To nurture a culture of health in our communities to renew the bond between people place and food.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$512,481
Spent on programs
50%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
7
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$64,723, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 75% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 112% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    50% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $229,987 spent. Food Distribution: Through various distribution outlets including a farm stand farmers markets community programs and partners the farm will distribute produce with a focus on the surrounding communities. Distributions will be made free of charge and recipients will be advised of suggested donation amounts. Whether a recipient makes or does not make a donation will not affect the recipients eligibility to receive produce. Agritourism Field Trips and Education: The farm is a resource for educating area residents on healthy living. Through weekly field trips farm events and classes the farm is a focal point for the community to learn about food production gardening nutrition cooking healthy eating and a variety of other programs meant to provide the skills and tools for healthier living.
  2. $12,437 spent. Community and Private Events: The farm hosts events for the purpose of promoting and advancing community health and educating area residents regarding healthy eating fresh produce and farming. Community events provide free access to the farms facilities that encourages the community to gather to celebrate the culture of the neighborhood and to participate in the investment in the neighborhoods community.
  3. $12,142 spent. Food Production and Farmer Training: Small Places will produce the highest quality fresh and pesticide free produce for our community. Our cultivation of the land will involve the hiring and training of young people interested in the career of farming. Small Places will train its farmers according to an established two-year training curriculum that is designed to prepare each farmer to operate his or her own farm. Small Places will facilitate placement of trainees at area or regional farms to support their continued professional growth.
  4. $1,079 spent. Agritourism Field Trips and Education: The farm is a resource for educating area residents on healthy living. Through weekly field trips farm events and classes the farm is a focal point for the community to learn about food production gardening nutrition cooking healthy eating and a variety of other programs meant to provide the skills and tools for healthier living.

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 October 13, 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 May 2022.

    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 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.