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490 Farmers Inc

EIN 85-4245377 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

490 Farmers seeks to learn alongside Rochester residents and youth to build community, hold land in common, and foster food sovereignty through urban agriculture. Guided by principles of mutual aid, we aim to steward a space where all feel welcome and integral to this mission, thereby pushing our city toward a more resilient and equitable future.

Income
$76,396
Spending
$74,324
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $7,037 spent. Raised Bed Plot Rental: We offer 69 garden plots ranging from 5' x 5' to 10' x 10' to the community for rent eachseason. The rental period is April 1- October 31st and costs vary by plot size. Plot members are responsible for planting and maintenance of their plot during the season. 490 Farmers provides educational support, access to tools, free topsoil & compost, water, and a raised bed ready for planting. In 2024 our net income from plotmembership was $1,695.
  2. $39,539 spent. Wednesday Night Volunteer Nights & Workshops: Every Wednesday during the season (May 1-November 1,2024) from 5-7pm we host an open volunteer for the public. On average between 10-40 people attend each week to help water plants, weed, move mulch, and meet new friends. We make improvements to the garden, grow our food forest and community areas, and distribute food to volunteers. We provide water, snacks and veggies to take home during the harvest season. Once a month we host workshops that provide free-hands on experience with topics including composting, transplating, weeding, cover cropping, soil health, seed starting, garden planning, and much more. In 2024 our total unrestricted individual donations towards this program was $13,667.17.
  3. $4,037 spent. Support for Partner Urban Gardens: Throughout the growing season 490 Farmers redistributed donated items and purchased garden materials to other city gardens in Rochester, as well as volunteer labor & support as needed. We coordinated with partner gardens on City of Rochester garden permits to help with tasks like moving mulch & soil, weeding, and planting. Gardens we have worked with include FCNC Genesee St Garden & Jefferson Ave Garden, Sunshine Garden on Bernard St, Taproot Collective First Market Farm, SMSJ EDEN Gardens in the Beechwood Neighborhood, The Vineyard Farm on Sander St, Native Prep School Garden, and Treyer St Children's Garden. We have helped provide needed materials including water tanks, raised bed materials, compost delivery, seedlings, gardening tools, and transportation. In 2024 our income from this program was $0.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 2025.

    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 April 2021.

    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.